Density and between-individuals’ refuge distance in two ecologically contrasting populations of the gecko Tarentola delalandii from Tenerife

Abstract To know the use of space for a species in any population implies knowing its density and the interaction between individuals. Here we have estimated gecko density and a first evaluation of neighbour distances of stones used as refuges for two ecologically different populations (Northern and Southern part of Tenerife Island) of Tarentola delalandii and in two yearly periods (Autumn-Winter (A-W) and Spring-Summer (S-S)). Considering the daily samplings in both localities, gecko density was higher in A-W than in S-S, especially in the Southern locality. During the night, in the Northern locality, the estimate of gecko density was higher in S-S than in A-W. In general, distances between refuges used by geckos were significantly lower during A-W than in the S-S. In S-S of both localities there were significantly lower distance values between male and female individuals than for the other pair categories. We discuss several factors as refuge availability, food and environmental temperature that could interact to explain our results.