DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jq2bvq8m5
title: Low requirement on the nest site selection influencing the invasion success of House Geckos

description: The selection of nesting sites is fundamental for the reproductive success
 of oviparous species. However, there are gaps regarding how animals select
 their reproductive sites, especially among species that do not build their
 nests, that is, they use natural cavities for oviposition, as is the case
 with many lizards. Herein, we evaluated how the physical structure and
 microclimatic conditions of tree hollows influence the selection of
 oviposition sites in a widely distributed exotic lizard, Hemidactylus
 mabouia (Squamata, Gekkonidae). We hypothesized that the choice of
 oviposition sites by females would consider: (a) structural properties of
 the sites related to the vulnerability of eggs to predation; and/or (b)
 microclimatic conditions of the sites associated with the stability of the
 egg incubation process. Over the course of a year, we monitored the use of
 53 tree cavities on a weekly basis, recording a total of 69 H. mabouia
 nests. The width of the opening of the sites, their height in relation to
 the ground level and the temperature variation in the hollows did not
 influence the choice of oviposition sites. However, cavities with less
 variation in humidity were used more frequently. Our findings contribute
 to the understanding of selection criteria for oviposition sites in
 species that use tree cavities as nests in general. Furthermore, we
 discuss the implications of the generalist habits of H. mabouia in the
 context of biological invasion, suggesting that the low requirements for
 the selection of reproductive sites may constitute a determining factor
 for the successful invasion of exotic lizards.
description: # Low requirement on the nest site selection influencing the invasion
 success of House Geckos
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jq2bvq8m5](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jq2bvq8m5) ## Description of the data and file structure This dataset contains the data required to replicate analyses of Andrade & Passos, 2025. Low requirement on the nest site selection influencing the invasion success of House Geckos. We chose 19 trees that showed evidence of reproductive activity by *H. mabouia*, such as eggs or newborns. For each tree, all cavities (treated as nest sites) with eggs were demarcated (with a discreet code of non-toxic ink in the tree trunk), from ground level to 2 m height. We characterized each oviposition site (i.e. cavities in tree trunks) in terms of height from the ground (1 cm precision) and cavity opening in its widest portion (1 mm precision), using a measuring tape and a manual caliper, respectively. We also demarcated potential nest sites (where eggs were not found) in each monitored tree, based on the characteristics of the sites effectively used (in which eggs were found). We then monitored spawning appearance at all sites within a 48 h interval. Additionally, we weekly recorded the temperature (in site, to 0.1 °C precision) and relative air humidity (at the entrance of site, to 1% precision) for each site with a digital thermo-hygrometer with external probe. ### Files and variables #### File: dataset\_Andrade\_Passos\_2025.xls **Description:** This dataset contains the data required to replicate analyses of Andrade & Passos, 2025. Low requirement on the nest site selection influencing the invasion success of House Geckos. ##### Variables * arv - tree identity * sit - site identity * status - site status (used; unused) * sh - site height in mm * co - cavity oppening in mm * nests - number of nests per site * insa - index of nest site activity * at - average temperature in ºC * tvc - temperature variation coefficient * ah - average humidity in % * hvc - humidity variation coefficient Missing values are expressed as 'not available' (NA).