College

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

Date of Last Revision

2024-09-19 12:07:09

Major

Biology

Honors Course

BIOL 499

Number of Credits

2

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2024

Abstract

Hemidactylus frenatus, a globally invasive species, is syntopic with the native gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia. The success of an invasive species, H. frenatus can be attributed to many factors and is the subject of much study. Some research suggests that invasive and native geckos may differ in their response to chemosensory cues from predators. We compared the responses of H. frenatus and L. lugubris to the scents of both a native local predator; centipede, and a common predator of geckos that is not present on Moorea; snake. While neither gecko species showed any significant avoidance of the scent of the snake, both species strongly avoided the scent of the native centipede, a shared predator on Moorea. Our results help narrow the search for factors associated with the success of H. frenatus on Moorea and possibly other locations where the species is invasive.

Research Sponsor

Dr. Peter Niewiarowski

First Reader

Dr. Lara Rocketenetz

Second Reader

Dr. Randall Mitchell

Honors Faculty Advisor

Dr. Brian Bagatto

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

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