Evidence: Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) husbandry, health & nutrition
Source: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01. Queries covered husbandry, health/disease/parasitology, and nutrition/feeding for Eublepharis macularius. The cluster returns 12 representative studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.
Studies
- PMID 41986369 (2026, NPJ Regenerative medicine) — Heart ventricle regeneration in the lizard Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko.. Abstract (opening): Among mammals, injury to the heart typically results in scar formation and diminished cardiovascular function. In contrast, some teleost fish and salamanders can replace damaged heart tissue and restore overall function. For most species, however, less is known. Here, we investigate cardiac self-repair in an amniote capable of multi-tissue regeneration, the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). To create a heart lesion, we placed a liquid nitrogen-cooled metal probe directly onto the ventricle. The result was a cryoinjury to ~20% of the ventricle. Cardiac cryoinjury induced localized cardiac cell death, followed by an increase in cell proliferation by injury-adjacent cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes. By 100 days, the histology of the ventricular myocardium was nearly completely restored. Echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic monitoring demonstrated that global cardiac function is restored within this timeframe, verifying functional replacement of the myocardium. To explore the molecular basis, we performed bulk RNA sequencing of the injury-adjacent tissue and found that many of the molecular mechanisms common to other cardiac regenerating species, including genes involved in heart development, glycolysis, and extracellular matrix deposition, are also conserved in geckos. Taken together, this work expands the comparative framework of heart regeneration to include reptiles and indicates that the ability to replace missing or damaged cardiomyocytes is shared across >50 million years of evolution.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41986369/
- PMID 42071908 (2026, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Composition and Legal Aspects of Reptiles and Amphibians Displayed at an Exotic Pet Fair in Warsaw (Poland).. Abstract (opening): The global exotic pet trade has expanded in recent decades, raising concerns related to animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and compliance with international regulations. Reptiles and amphibians constitute a major component of this trade, yet information on species availability and trade practices at exotic pet fairs remains limited. The primary aim of this study was to identify the reptile and amphibian species offered for sale at an exotic pet fair in Warsaw, Poland. Secondary objectives were to assess the declared origin of the animals and the availability of information regarding their legal and conservation status. Photographic documentation of all exhibition tables was used to record species identity, number of individuals, and labeling practices. In total, 818 individuals representing 74 species from 31 families were recorded. Reptiles, particularly squamates, dominated the assemblage, while amphibians accounted for a smaller proportion of the animals offered. More than half of the individuals were labeled as captive-bred, whereas only a small fraction were identified as imported or wild-caught; however, information on origin was absent for nearly half of the animals. Over 50% of the recorded species were listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, yet no visible information on legal or conservation status was provided at the point of sale. These findings indicate that inconsistent labeling limits transparency and informed decision-making by buyers.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071908/
- PMID 41950095 (2026, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America) — Lysosome-related organelles orchestrate guanine crystal formation in pigment cells.. Abstract (opening): Iridosomes, the guanine crystal-forming organelles of pigment-producing iridophores, are among the most versatile, visually striking yet mechanistically uncharacterized organelles in vertebrate biology. Lysosome-related organelles (LROs) support cell type-specific functions by adapting endolysosomal pathways for specialized roles. Here, we show that iridosomes represent a subtype of LROs. Using transcriptomic profiling of zebrafish iridophores, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene disruption, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, we define the molecular program underlying iridosome biogenesis. Iridosomes have evolved unique adaptations for crystal growth while retaining core features of other LROs. Key regulators, including Rab32a, Ap3m2, and Hps5, are essential for crystal formation, with gene knockouts causing reduced crystal number, altered morphology, and distinct maturation defects. We further identify hallmark LRO features in iridosomes, including intraluminal vesicles and pH-regulated developmental transitions. Cross-species transcriptomic analysis confirms that iridosomes share an LRO signature across vertebrates, including teleost fish and reptiles, suggesting ancient evolutionary origins. These findings establish iridosomes as crystalline LROs and as a model for investigating how cells construct structurally specialized organelles through coordinated trafficking and crystallization, with implications for LRO evolution and human disease.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41950095/
- PMID 42050848 (2026, Molecular biology and evolution) — Sex chromosome identification and genome curation from a single individual with SCINKD.. Abstract (opening): In most animal species, the sex-determining pathway is typically initiated by the presence/absence of a primary genetic cue at a critical point during development. This primary genetic cue is often located on a single locus-referred to as sex chromosomes-and can be limited to females (in a ZZ/ZW system) or males (in an XX/XY system). One trademark of sex chromosomes is a restriction or cessation of recombination surrounding the sex-limited region (to prevent its inheritance in the homogametic sex). This may lead to-through a variety of mechanisms-higher amounts of genetic divergence within this region, ie between the X/Z and Y/W chromosomes, especially when compared with their autosomal counterparts. Recent advances in genome sequencing and computation have brought with them the ability to resolve haplotypes within a diploid individual, permitting assembly of previously challenging genomic regions like sex chromosomes. Leveraging these advances, we identified replicable diagnostic characteristics between typical autosomes and sex chromosomes (within a single genome assembly). Under this framework, we can use this information to identify putative sex chromosome linkage groups across divergent vertebrate taxa and simultaneously curate misassembled regions on autosomes. Here, we present this conceptual framework and associated tool for identifying candidate sex chromosome linkage groups from a single, diploid individual dubbed Sex Chromosome Identification by Negating Kmer Densities.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42050848/
- PMID 41749246 (2026, BMC veterinary research) — First report of an iridophoroma in a Tegu (Salvator merianae).. Abstract (opening): <h4>Background</h4>This case report describes the clinical and histological findings of a rare periocular iridophoroma in a tegu.<h4>Case presentation</h4>Iridophoroma is a rare type of chromatophoroma, a tumor that arises from iridophores, specialized pigment cells responsible for reflecting light. This case report describes a 6-year-old male Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) presented with a large, irregular, proliferative mass in the periocular region. The mass originated from the upper left eyelid, partially covering the ocular surface, and measured 2.5 cm in diameter. The patient was referred to the department of Surgery and Intensive care for mass removal and underwent two separate surgical resections. Fine needle aspiration from the structure revealed the diagnosis of iridophoroma, which was later confirmed through histology. This case aims to broaden current knowledge in reptile medicine by presenting an iridophoroma in Salvator merianae, highlighting its clinical presentation, cytological features, and histopathological aspects.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This case represents the first documented occurrence of an iridophoroma in a tegu, highlighting the need for increased awareness and precision in diagnosing tumors in reptiles. The findings demonsrate the importance of paraclinical investigations, such as histopathology, not only in confirming rare conditions but also in differentiating iridophoromas from other potential diagnoses, such as squamous cell carcinoma, papilloma, or melanophoroma. Accurate identification is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment and improving outcomes in reptile medicine.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41749246/
- PMID 41730629 (2026, The Journal of veterinary medical science) — Localized oral histiocytic sarcoma in a leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).. Abstract (opening): A two-year-old female leopard gecko presented with a mass in the oral cavity with apparent exophthalmos. Despite medical management, the animal died. Grossly, the firm and tan to white mass extended from the oropharyngeal region to the external surface overlying the cornea of the left eye. Histologically, the mass was a poorly-demarcated, densely cellular, invasive neoplasm. The neoplasm was composed of solid sheets and interlacing bundles of round, polygonal, and short spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for Iba-1 and CD204. These findings were consistent with a localized histiocytic sarcoma. This is the first documentation of the gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of localized histiocytic sarcoma in a leopard gecko.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41730629/
- PMID 41720175 (2026, Developmental biology) — Gonadal development and gene expression in the leopard gecko during temperature-dependent sex determination.. Abstract (opening): Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is prevalent in reptiles, yet its molecular mechanisms, particularly in squamates, remain poorly understood. This study presents the first comprehensive histological and transcriptomic analysis of gonadal development in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a squamate with a TSD system. Based on temperature-shift experiments, we determined the end of the temperature-sensitive period at embryonic stage 36 (St. 36). Our transcriptomic analysis revealed that the male and female developmental pathways diverge at St. 34, preceding any histological differentiation. We found that the upregulation of important testicular genes (e.g., AMH, DMRT1, and SOX9) precedes that of canonical ovarian markers (e.g., FOXL2 and CYP19A1), although activation of Wnt signaling components was observed from early stages at female-producing temperatures. We also uncovered a regulatory pattern unique to the leopard gecko. Unlike in turtles, the histone demethylase KDM6B, a key male-determining factor in turtles, was activated by warm (i.e., male-producing) temperatures in the leopard gecko, but its expression was diminished with the later upregulation of DMRT1. Furthermore, we identified genes related to RNA splicing among the early temperature-responsive factors, suggesting a potential role for post-transcriptional regulation in the TSD cascade. Our findings demonstrate that while the core gene network for gonadal differentiation is conserved, the upstream thermosensitive regulation has diversified across TSD reptiles. This work addresses a critical phylogenetic gap in TSD studies and establishes the leopard gecko as a useful model for understanding the complex interplay between environment and gonadal developmental fate.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41720175/
- PMID 41183498 (2026, Genetics) — Candidate genes underlying hypomelanistic morphs in squamate reptiles.. Abstract (opening): Skin coloration is crucial for the survival of animals and ranges from spectacular colorful displays used to attract a mate to cryptic camouflage used to avoid predators. Among the 3 main types of chromatophores, melanophores are the most widespread in vertebrates and can set the skin tone by the amount of melanin they produce and store in dedicated vesicles, the melanosomes. Mutations associated with melanophore differentiation and maturation result in hypomelanistic and amelanistic phenotypes, both extensively studied in mammals but less so in snakes and lizards. Here, we characterize at the genomic, transcriptomic, and histological level, the Hypomelanistic corn snake morph and 3 hypomelanistic leopard gecko morphs. To minimize bias in studying leopard gecko color morphs, we first assembled a chromosome-level genome from a wild-type individual in terms of coloration. We propose that candidate mutations in 3 melanogenesis factors generate these phenotypes: (i) tyrosinase (TYR), an essential enzyme for melanin synthesis, (ii) NCKX5 (SLC24A5), an ion exchanger involved in melanosome maturation, and (iii) the P protein (OCA2), a transmembrane transporter for tyrosine. Our extended bulk RNA sequencing analyses show that additional pigmentation-related genes, affecting melanin production, melanosome motility, and melanophore migration, are dysregulated in the embryonic skin of the mutated animals. This observation highlights the likely associations among the corresponding pathways and is in line with our electron microscopy imaging results. Indeed, the subcellular structure of melanophores is uniquely altered at each of the 4 morphs and likely reflects a multigenic effect. These findings demonstrate that conserved pigmentation genes can produce species-specific effects, underscoring the modular nature of skin coloration in vertebrates. Our work establishes reptiles as comparative models for studying pigment cell biology and reveals evolutionary flexibility in the genetic regulation of melanogenesis.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41183498/
- PMID 42449365 (2026, BMC biology) — Dissecting cancer in a non-mammalian model: genomic insights from lemon frost geckos.. Abstract (opening): <h4>Background</h4>Comparative oncology can uncover novel mechanisms of cancer resistance and progression across animals. Non-traditional model organisms with naturally high or low cancer prevalence may provide further insights into metastasis or cancer resistance. In this context, the "lemon frost" morph of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) shows high prevalence of iridophoromas, exceeding 80%. These tumors can recur and metastasize, presenting a unique opportunity to study pigment cell cancer and tumor progression in a non-mammalian vertebrate.<h4>Results</h4>We performed high-coverage whole-genome sequencing on matched tumor and non-tumor samples from three lemon frost individuals. A shared missense mutation in the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) suggests possible disruption to transcriptional regulation in tumor samples. Additionally, a recurrent gene fusion between IARS1 and RNF213 was identified across all tumor samples. Copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity events were observed in three mutated genes that have a role in cancer: MAP3K13, TENM4, and OR2AT4-like, while copy number gains were observed in four genomic regions. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation in actin filament organization, a hallmark of metastatic potential. These findings suggest a multifaceted genomic basis for tumorigenesis in this model, including transcriptional misregulation, chromatin remodeling defects, and cytoskeletal disruption.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study provides the first characterization of genomic changes associated with iridophoroma in a reptilian species and establishes the lemon frost gecko as a promising model for cancer research. Our findings identify candidate pathways of tumor progression and metastasis in a non-traditional system, highlighting both conserved and novel mechanisms relevant to human disease.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42449365/
- PMID 41852150 (2026, Journal of anatomy) — Developmental stage ordering yields greater cranial mineralization sequence resolution than embryo size or days since oviposition: A case study using the gekkotan Eublepharis macularius (Blyth, 1854).. Abstract (opening): Mineralization sequences of cranial elements (often referred to as ossification sequences) are used for a variety of purposes. Believed to be consistent within species (even though they exhibit some variation) and conserved within lineages, they have been assembled using a variety of developmental timetables-absolute time using developmental days; relative time using either increase in size of embryonic dimensions or developmental staging. The relationship between these developmental timetables is unclear in terms of how mineralization sequences are expressed, although they are generally treated as being able to achieve equivalent levels of resolution. Regardless of the developmental timetable employed, mineralization sequences are replete with ties representing simultaneous mineralization of several elements, even though ties are suspected to be rare. Herein we examine the resolution attainable of cranial mineralization events in the leopard gecko by subjecting the same set of embryos, raised under controlled conditions, to sequence analysis using all three of the above-mentioned timetables, with the working hypotheses being that all three would yield the same level of resolution and that we could improve upon the level of resolution attained for gekkotans so far. We found that developmental stage timetabling yielded far less variability in the determination of mineralization sequence as well as considerably better resolution than those for developmental days or embryonic dimensions. We were able to obtain much greater resolution for the leopard gecko than that so far attained for gekkotans for all three developmental timetables, but especially so when ordering the specimens by developmental stage. Furthermore, we found that subdividing embryonic stages into substages (established using additional morphological features) and assessing intensity of staining of mineralizing elements hold promise for achieving improved levels of resolution. Even so, we were only about 55% successful in resolving the cranial mineralization sequence into a series of unique events, indicating that many such events are so closely spaced in developmental time that apparent simultaneity of element mineralization will be challenging to resolve further.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41852150/
- PMID 42097640 (2026, Experimental physiology) — Regeneration of the lizard heart after cryoinjury.. Abstract (opening): Lizards are renowned for their tremendous potential to heal tissues and organs after injury, but little is known about myocardial regeneration in reptiles generally. Here, we study cardiac regeneration in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) to fill the knowledge gap between traditional models of poikilothermic (zebrafish) and homeothermic (neonatal mice) vertebrates commonly used in myocardial regenerative studies. We inflicted cryoinjury at the apex of the adult heart and used optical mapping, microCT, histology and immunohistochemistry to evaluate myocardial regeneration over the following 4 weeks. Optical mapping revealed epicardial electrical activation of the ventricle during the healing period after cryoinjury, and demonstrated that the cryoinjured area was devoid of electrical activation during the first 2 weeks. The functional recovery of signal spreading over the whole ventricular surface was completed in 21 days after cryoinjury. Morphologically, the first week was characterized by a loss of myocardial viability, the second week by a restoration of the myocardial tissue, the third week by continuation of the regenerative processes, and the fourth week by a completion of myocardial regeneration and a restoration of heart viability. In conclusion, geckos may provide novel insight into myocardial healing across the vertebrate lineages and thus help to reveal healing abilities between non-ischaemic regenerative and ischaemic reparative processes during cardiac regeneration.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42097640/
- PMID 41316997 (2026, Journal of anatomy) — Budding, fission, and fusion: Unveiling patterns shaping pancreatic islet size and distribution in squamate reptiles.. Abstract (opening): A growing body of evidence suggests that lizards are promising model organisms for studying various developmental processes. However, knowledge of pancreatic islet distribution in non-ophidian squamates remains limited. The most comprehensive accounts available to date lack three-dimensional reconstructions and often show inconsistencies. In this study, we aimed to address both aspects: first, by evaluating squamate embryos as model systems for understanding general mechanisms of pancreatic islet morphogenesis in vertebrates, and second, by conducting a comparative analysis of islet development in squamates from an evolutionary perspective. In this study, we analyzed embryos of four non-ophidian squamates representing three major evolutionary lineages: Iguania-the brown anole Anolis sagrei; Gekkota-the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius and the mourning gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris; and Lacertidae-the sand lizard Lacerta agilis. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created from thick serial sections and high-resolution semithin sections. Pancreatic islet cells in lizards originate from ductal epithelium. Early in development, precursor cells leave the duct walls to form buds that give rise to primary islets, a process evolutionarily conserved across vertebrates. Subsequent growth involves both the fusion of islet buds and the fission of larger agglomerates. Analyzed species differ in islet distribution: The brown anole islet remains restricted to the splenic lobe, whereas the sand lizard, leopard gecko, and mourning gecko also form islets in remaining regions. In studied gekkotans, small- and medium-sized islets tended to be concentrated in close proximity to the spleen. Medium-sized islets dominate the splenic lobe in the sand lizard. Interestingly, we observed a varanid-like condition in the brown anole, characterized by the formation of a single large islet within the splenic lobe, accompanied by a concurrent reduction in islet size throughout the remaining pancreatic regions. This pattern may reflect a broader trend within Toxicofera, a clade identified through molecular studies, toward splenic lobe islet enlargement and a reduction in the size of the islets in the remaining parts of the pancreas. While the phylogenetic position may influence these patterns, our findings suggest that the spatial relationship between the spleen and pancreas, particularly the formation of large islets near the spleen, could play a more direct, possibly inductive, role in islet formation. Further detailed studies, particularly focusing on representatives of Iguania and Anguimorpha, are essential to test this hypothesis.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41316997/
Source text: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_leopard_gecko_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).