Population genetic structure and distribution patterns of sexual and asexual gecko species in the Ogasawara Islands

Asexual reproduction, typically associated with low genetic diversity, appears to confer advantages in dispersal and abundance for the all-female gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris in the Ogasawara Islands. Unlike its sexual counterpart, Hemidactylus frenatus, which shows limited distribution and genetic variation across four islands, L. lugubris dominates nine islands with two widely distributed clones (diploid and triploid). This suggests that asexual reproduction may enhance dispersal success in oceanic environments. However, H. frenatus's absence from non-human-inhabited islands could stem from microhabitat preferences, as it is more confined to artificial substrates like towns and roadways compared to L. lugubris. The study used microsatellite markers on 445 geckos to assess genetic structure but notes that colonization histories remain unconfirmed, warranting further research.

Murakami, Y., Sugawara, H., Takahashi, H., & Hayashi, F. (2015). Population genetic structure and distribution patterns of sexual and asexual gecko species in the Ogasawara Islands. Ecological Research, 30(3), 471–478. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1246-6