Molecular Taxonomy of Geckos Reveals a Second Tarentola Species (Reptilia: Squamata) on the Maltese Islands

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The Maltese islands, situated in the Sicilian Channel, are known to host two gecko species, <i>Hemidactylus turcicus</i> and <i>Tarentola mauritanica</i>. However, gecko taxonomy is complicated by cryptic lineages within species complexes, requiring molecular approaches for accurate identification. <b>Methods</b>: In this study, we investigated species diversity using opportunistic sampling of 30 dead gecko specimens, including road-killed individuals, from across the Maltese islands. Due to the degraded condition of most samples, morphological identification was limited; therefore, mitochondrial markers (12S, 16S and COI) were employed to assign species identity. <b>Results</b>: Our analyses revealed the first records of the <i>Tarentola fascicularis</i>/<i>deserti</i> complex in Malta. This finding extends the known distribution of this complex and complements records from neighbouring islands in the Sicilian Channel, where <i>T. mauritanica</i> and <i>T. fascicularis</i>/<i>deserti</i> lineages occur in sympatry. <b>Conclusions</b>: Given the greater ecological affinity of the <i>T. fascicularis</i>/<i>deserti</i> complex for arid environments, these findings emphasise the importance of continued monitoring to clarify the dynamics of sympatry, potential ecological displacement, and the long-term effects of climate change and anthropogenic activity on the central Mediterranean herpetofauna.