Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran

Studying the current range of species presence is crucial for ecologists and related scientists to understand potential habitats and the influence of environmental factors on species distribution. In this study, we used species distribution modeling (SDM) to look into where the yellow-bellied gecko,...

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Main Authors: Saman Ghasemian Sorboni, Mehrdad Hadipour, Narina Ghasemian Sorboni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Biology and Life Sciences Forum
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/39/1/1
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author Saman Ghasemian Sorboni
Mehrdad Hadipour
Narina Ghasemian Sorboni
author_facet Saman Ghasemian Sorboni
Mehrdad Hadipour
Narina Ghasemian Sorboni
author_sort Saman Ghasemian Sorboni
collection DOAJ
description Studying the current range of species presence is crucial for ecologists and related scientists to understand potential habitats and the influence of environmental factors on species distribution. In this study, we used species distribution modeling (SDM) to look into where the yellow-bellied gecko, also known as the northern house gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835), lives in Iran. We achieved this by combining four machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Maximum Entropy (Maxent), and the Generalized Linear Model (GLM). We utilized 19 historical bioclimatic variables, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope, aspect, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). After calculating their correlations, we selected variables for modeling with a variance inflation factor (VIF) of less than 10. The findings indicate that the variables “Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter” (BIO19) and “Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter” (BIO8) have the most significant influence on the species’ distribution. The gecko primarily inhabits low elevations and slopes, particularly those below 400 m above sea level with slopes less than 8 degrees, primarily in southern Iran. Additionally, we found that the NDVI had a minimal impact on the distribution of the species. Therefore, we identify the provinces of Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Fars, along with parts of the coastal strip of Sistan and Baluchistan, as suitable areas for the current presence of this species.
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spelling doaj-art-b00e6a84bf304c518fb387d4aefdabbe2025-08-20T02:24:37ZengMDPI AGBiology and Life Sciences Forum2673-99762024-11-01391110.3390/blsf2024039001Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in IranSaman Ghasemian Sorboni0Mehrdad Hadipour1Narina Ghasemian Sorboni2Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran 15719-14911, IranFaculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran 15719-14911, IranDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Payam Noor University, Sari 48161-18794, IranStudying the current range of species presence is crucial for ecologists and related scientists to understand potential habitats and the influence of environmental factors on species distribution. In this study, we used species distribution modeling (SDM) to look into where the yellow-bellied gecko, also known as the northern house gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835), lives in Iran. We achieved this by combining four machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Maximum Entropy (Maxent), and the Generalized Linear Model (GLM). We utilized 19 historical bioclimatic variables, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope, aspect, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). After calculating their correlations, we selected variables for modeling with a variance inflation factor (VIF) of less than 10. The findings indicate that the variables “Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter” (BIO19) and “Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter” (BIO8) have the most significant influence on the species’ distribution. The gecko primarily inhabits low elevations and slopes, particularly those below 400 m above sea level with slopes less than 8 degrees, primarily in southern Iran. Additionally, we found that the NDVI had a minimal impact on the distribution of the species. Therefore, we identify the provinces of Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Fars, along with parts of the coastal strip of Sistan and Baluchistan, as suitable areas for the current presence of this species.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/39/1/1habitat suitabilityspecies distribution modelingecological niche modelinggeckoinvasive species
spellingShingle Saman Ghasemian Sorboni
Mehrdad Hadipour
Narina Ghasemian Sorboni
Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
Biology and Life Sciences Forum
habitat suitability
species distribution modeling
ecological niche modeling
gecko
invasive species
title Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
title_full Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
title_fullStr Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
title_full_unstemmed Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
title_short Modeling the Current Suitable Habitat Range of the Yellow-Bellied Gecko (<i>Hemidactylus flaviviridis</i> Rüppell, 1835) in Iran
title_sort modeling the current suitable habitat range of the yellow bellied gecko i hemidactylus flaviviridis i ruppell 1835 in iran
topic habitat suitability
species distribution modeling
ecological niche modeling
gecko
invasive species
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/39/1/1
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