Creation of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Gekkota Lizard Specialist Group

With nearly , species, the infraorder Gekkota represents over % of described lizard species.This group includes double-fingered geckos (Diplodactylidae, species), legless geckos (Pygopodidae, species), southern-padless geckos (Carphodactylidae, species), eyelid geckos (Eublepharidae, species), ball-fingered geckos (Sphaerodactylidae, species), leaf-fingered geckos (Phyllodactylidae, species) and common geckos (Gekkonidae, , species).Gekkota inhabit diverse habitats on all continents except Antarctica.Their wide distribution and richness expose them to multiple threats such as climate change, habitat loss, habitat clearing and fragmentation, as well as wildlife trade and use for traditional medicine.Despite their diversity, the conservation status of many geckos remains unclear.Of the , known species, are categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List, with at least four assessed as extinct, and remain unassessed.Most CITES-listed geckos are in Appendices II ( species) and III ( species).Additionally, geckos have been prioritized by EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) of Existence, a programme focusing on threatened species with significant unique evolutionary history.This limited representation on initiatives such as EDGE indicates the need for more comprehensive conservation planning.To address these challenges, a new IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Gekkota Lizard Specialist Group was established in February .This initiative examines critical conservation gaps and leverages the ecological significance of geckos as ecological indicators.