Scientists Confirmed Native Gecko on Rábida Island
A 2025 study identified the lizard as Phyllodactylus maresi, documenting its survival following invasive rat removal.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Life Sciences
Researchers confirmed the presence of a native leaf-toed gecko on Rábida Island following a 2025 study that classified the population as Phyllodactylus maresi. This confirmation follows the successful 2011 eradication of invasive brown rats from the island, which likely supported the recovery of the local gecko population.
Why it matters
The study demonstrates how removing invasive predators can allow native species populations to rebound and be formally identified. The finding highlights the enduring impact of long-term conservation efforts on the biodiversity of isolated ecosystems.
Genetic sequencing of five gecko samples confirmed the population as Phyllodactylus maresi, exhibiting 19 mutations compared to the related Santiago Island population. These findings are supported by sub-fossil remains confirming the species' presence on the 499-hectare island for thousands of years.
The players
Galápagos National Park
The governmental body responsible for managing the archipelago's ecosystems, including the eradication of invasive species.
Phyllodactylus maresi
A species of leaf-toed gecko recently confirmed as native to Rábida Island.
The details
To confirm the species, scientists caught ten whole gecko specimens by hand at night among lava rocks on Rábida Island. Researchers then sequenced DNA from five of these samples to perform a comparative genetic analysis against known populations on neighboring islands. This method identified distinct genetic markers that define the Rábida group, which had previously been elusive before the first live specimen was photographed in 2012.
Timeline
5,700 to 8,540 years ago: Sub-fossil remains of geckos date to this era.
2011: Invasive brown rats were eradicated from Rábida Island.
2012: The first live leaf-toed gecko was photographed.
October 2019: Scientists collected tissue from nine geckos.
August 2021: Researchers captured ten whole gecko specimens.
The Tech Race
This study follows the established trend of monitoring biodiversity recovery following the Galápagos National Park invasive species eradication program. It marks a significant milestone in documenting how native populations re-establish ecological dominance after the removal of disruptive predators.
The confirmation of this gecko species provides researchers with a new baseline for measuring the ongoing health of the Rábida Island ecosystem. It underscores the success of habitat restoration projects, serving as a primary data point for future conservation initiatives in the region.
The takeaway
The successful identification of this gecko population proves that active management of invasive threats can preserve endemic species that were once thought to be lost or absent. Observers should look for future genomic studies that may further refine the evolutionary history of reptiles across the Galápagos islands.
Further reading
Learn more about local ecosystem recovery in the Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
