Trophic interactions of an invasive gecko in an endemic-rich oceanic island: Insights using DNA metabarcoding

Understanding the trophic interactions of introduced predators is key for evidence-based management biological invasions. This particularly important in oceanic islands, where predator-prey networks often include numerous endemic and range-restricted species. Geckos are successful island colonizers recent years species have established populations a wide array islands. One such Moorish gecko ( Tarentola mauritanica ), which has colonized multiple islands across Mediterranean basin, Caribbean Macaronesia. The was first reported Madeira Island 1993 over last 30 most islands' southern coast expanded to nearby Porto Santo. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding provide insights into diet this colonizer its range. species' mainly composed ground-dwelling arthropods belonging families Porcellionidae (Isopoda), Julidae (Diplopoda) Formicidae (Hymenoptera). richness composition were not affected by neither sex nor size adult geckos, instead they both change populations. However, niche-width differed among classes, with smaller geckos feeding on wider range prey. We identified 160 different Operational Taxonomic Units T. , 21.6% them invertebrates 13.6% native Native prey taxa included wall lizard Teira dugesii sole reptile Madeira. also detected several agricultural pests disease vectors exotic predator, 19 as had yet been recorded Of these, serious pests, highlighting how can be natural sampler, particular early detection invasive arthropod pests. study emphasizes importance studies monitoring impacts fragile insular systems.