Rocks and household waste: Refuge size preferences of the Great North gecko Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus (Wiegmann 1834) (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) on the coast of the Antofagasta Region, Chile
The use of household wastes (micro-trash dumps) and rocks as shelter elements was evaluated in the Great North gecko (Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus), which inhabits the coast of the Antofagasta Region, Chile. For this purpose, waste and rocks were characterized according to their size. The frequency of use of these shelters varied between 0.5% for rocks and 22% for micro-dumps, suggesting a possible preference for domestic waste (i.e., 19 specimens observed in 50 micro-dumps sampled). Geckoes prefer medium-sized waste and rocks, with one to two specimens recorded per sampling point (i.e., under the waste and rocks with individuals).
Mella Ávila, J., & Marambio-Alfaro, Y. (2023). Rocks and household waste: Refuge size preferences of the Great North gecko Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus (Wiegmann 1834) (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) on the coast of the Antofagasta Region, Chile. Chilean Bulletin of Hermetology, 10, pp. 22–25. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-6172.2023.76545
