Shifts in thermal tolerance of the invasive Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) across native and introduced ranges

Lapwong, Y; Dejtaradol, A; Webb, JK

Shifts in thermal tolerance of the invasive Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) across native and introduced ranges

Lapwong, Y

Dejtaradol, A Webb, JK

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Publisher:: SPRINGER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Biological Invasions, 2021, 23, (4), pp. 989-996
Issue Date:: 2021-04-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lapwong, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0699-4627
dc.contributor.author	Dejtaradol, A
dc.contributor.author	Webb, JK
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-23T23:50:29Z
dc.date.available	2022-01-23T23:50:29Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-01
dc.identifier.citation	Biological Invasions, 2021, 23, (4), pp. 989-996
dc.identifier.issn	1387-3547
dc.identifier.issn	1573-1464
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153467
dc.description.abstract	The ability to rapidly adjust thermal tolerance in response to variable temperatures may facilitate the success of invasive species in non-native ranges. The Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus is native to the tropics of South and Southeast Asia. This small lizard has spread across the globe and has also successfully invaded colder regions of Australia. In this study, we investigated whether this species displays plasticity in thermal tolerance in its introduced range. We measured cold tolerance (CTmin) and heat tolerance (CTmax) of H. frenatus from two native tropical populations in Thailand, and two introduced subtropical populations in southeastern Australia. We also explored seasonal variation in the thermal tolerance of the introduced populations. We found that heat tolerance (CTmax) of geckos did not differ among four populations in Thailand and Australia (range = 43.4–43.7 °C). By contrast, geckos from southeastern Australia had lower cold tolerance (CTmin) (mean = 10.43 °C) than geckos from Thailand (mean = 11.57 °C). We also documented seasonal shifts in cold tolerance of H. frenatus from southeastern Australia. Geckos captured in winter had cold tolerances 1–2 °C lower than those captured in summer. Unexpectedly, this shift in cold tolerance was accompanied by a 1–2 °C upward shift in heat tolerance. Our results support a growing body of evidence showing that tropical invaders can adjust cold tolerance downwards via plasticity or acclimation. Such changes may allow tropical invaders to expand their geographic range into colder regions of non-native ranges.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER
dc.relation.ispartof	Biological Invasions
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s10530-020-02441-z
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	05 Environmental Sciences, 06 Biological Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Ecology
dc.title	Shifts in thermal tolerance of the invasive Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) across native and introduced ranges
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	23
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-01-23T23:50:28Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	23
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

The ability to rapidly adjust thermal tolerance in response to variable temperatures may facilitate the success of invasive species in non-native ranges. The Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus is native to the tropics of South and Southeast Asia. This small lizard has spread across the globe and has also successfully invaded colder regions of Australia. In this study, we investigated whether this species displays plasticity in thermal tolerance in its introduced range. We measured cold tolerance (CTmin) and heat tolerance (CTmax) of H. frenatus from two native tropical populations in Thailand, and two introduced subtropical populations in southeastern Australia. We also explored seasonal variation in the thermal tolerance of the introduced populations. We found that heat tolerance (CTmax) of geckos did not differ among four populations in Thailand and Australia (range = 43.4–43.7 °C). By contrast, geckos from southeastern Australia had lower cold tolerance (CTmin) (mean = 10.43 °C) than geckos from Thailand (mean = 11.57 °C). We also documented seasonal shifts in cold tolerance of H. frenatus from southeastern Australia. Geckos captured in winter had cold tolerances 1–2 °C lower than those captured in summer. Unexpectedly, this shift in cold tolerance was accompanied by a 1–2 °C upward shift in heat tolerance. Our results support a growing body of evidence showing that tropical invaders can adjust cold tolerance downwards via plasticity or acclimation. Such changes may allow tropical invaders to expand their geographic range into colder regions of non-native ranges.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153467