Chromosome-level reference genome for the common wall gecko ( <i>Tarentola mauritanica</i> ) enables comparative and functional studies in geckos

Reptiles exhibit remarkable ecological and physiological diversity, yet genomic resources for this group remain relatively scarce, limiting research on adaptation, evolution, and invasion biology. The common wall gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758), is a Mediterranean species complex known for its urban behavior, wide dispersal capacity, and exceptional resistance to dehydration, making it an ideal candidate for genomic studies of ecological adaptation. Here, we present the first high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome for the genus Tarentola. Using a combination of PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing data, we assembled a 2.1 Gbp reference genome (N50 = 135.8 Mbp), of which 96.7% of the genome is contained in 21 pseudochromosomes. Comparative chromosomal analyses revealed largely conserved synteny, however, some fissions and fusions were observed, highlighting lineage-specific karyotype evolution. Analyses of aquaporin genes revealed a duplication of AQP5 in T. mauritanica, suggesting a potential role in water regulation. PSMC-based demographic reconstruction indicated population expansion prior to the Last Interglacial (∼150-120 Kya) and contraction during the Last Glacial Maximum (∼20 Kya), consistent with Mediterranean climatic fluctuations. This genome represents the first reference for the genus Tarentola and provides a comprehensive genomic resource to investigate ecological adaptation, gene family evolution, invasion biology, and conservation genomics. Moreover, this assembly will facilitate comparative genomics across reptiles and support functional and evolutionary studies aimed at linking genome structure to ecological and phenotypic diversity.