Project
Globalization has interconnected the world more than ever before, and its impact is also evident at the environmental level. In Switzerland, an increasing number of alien species have been introduced over the past decade, arriving not only from neighbouring countries but also from distant lands. Among reptiles, there are no native gecko species in Switzerland. However, in recent years, individuals of the common wall gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), a species native to the Mediterranean region, have been increasingly observed, particularly in Ticino. Currently, little is known about this species in our canton.
My master’s thesis aims to map the current distribution of this species in Ticino, with a particular focus on identifying the environmental factors that determine its distribution. Once analyzed, I hope to use this information to model its potential spread into surrounding areas in the coming decades.
If I’m not in the office, I’m most likely out looking for geckos. I remain with great pleasure at your disposal at: dario.jelmini@uzh.ch
CV
- 2023 – present: MSc student in Ecology, University of Zürich
- 2019 – 2023: Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Zürich