Feeding ecology of the endemic Atlas day gecko; Quedenfeldtia moerens in an arid zone of Morocco

Diet of Quedenfeldtia moerens was studied from March 2018 to April 2019, in the Arid Anti-Atlas Mountain in Morocco. This study was carried by a repetitive sampling of available prey in the field using pitfall traps and prey consumed by 130 lizards from fecal pellets. Analysis shows that lizard's diet was composed exclusively of arthropods with four major taxonomic groups: Formicidae, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera. Prey availability varied among seasons with a higher diversity in the rainy than in the dry seasons. However, diet diversity remained constant across seasons. No significant variation between sex-age classes (males, females and juveniles) except for gravid females that prefer sensibly larger prey. Niche overlap among the lizard sex-classes confirmed shared trophic resources. The current study indicated that the Atlas-day gecko is a generalist predator exploiting available prey types within its arid habitat. •The study was conducted on the endemic Atlas day gecko; Quedenfeldtia moerens in an arid zone of Morocco.•The diet of Atlas day gecko was composed exclusively of arthropods, with four major taxonomic groups.•Prey availability varied among seasons with a higher diversity in the rainy seasons.•The Atlas-day gecko is a generalist predator exploiting available prey types within its Arid habitat.