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A southern Texas population of the introduced lizard Hemidactylus turcicus, was examined for life history characteristics of a colonizer. Density estimates were high, ranging from 544-2210 lizards per ha. The population was early maturing (8.6 months) with low fecundity (1-3 clutches of two eggs/yr) and high survivorship for a small lizard (55% annual turnover, three or more year lifespan). Survivorship was similar between adults and juveniles, but small juveniles (<30 mm) had significantly lower survivorship than large juveniles (30-43 mm). The Mediterranean gecko's success in southern Texas appears to result from low predation pressure, little interspecific competition and a life history which maximizes survival at all ages. This gecko's ability to disperse may be enhanced by its calcareous shelled eggs serving as propagules of new colonies.
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Kyle W. Selcer (1986) studied this question.
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