Scientists have discovered multiple new gecko species in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. A genomic study, led by Kamryn Carter at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia, found that the Chilean marked geckos, or Garthia geckos, once thought to be a single species, are in fact as many as eleven distinct ones.
The findings, published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, challenge long-held beliefs about biodiversity in extreme environments. According to researchers, the discovery highlights how advanced genomic tools can uncover hidden diversity often missed by traditional methods.
Ancient species split uncovered
By analyzing both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, the team identified deep genetic differences between gecko populations that appear identical to the naked eye. Among them are Garthia gaudichaudii and Garthia penai, two species that look almost the same but diverged genetically around twenty million years ago.
The Atacama is so dry that parts of it resemble the surface of Mars, yet life there has adapted to survive under punishing conditions of drought and heat. These findings reveal that even in the harshest environments, evolution continues to shape new forms of life.
“Using modern genomic methods, we uncovered hidden diversity. We found large genetic differences between geographically distinct populations, suggesting cryptic species,” said Carter, a PhD candidate in UOW’s Environmental Futures Research Group.
The study shows how these reptiles evolved in isolation across fragmented desert habitats, resulting in unique genetic lineages.
Genomic tools reshape conservation
Dr. Damien Esquerré, co-author of the study, said the research demonstrates the importance of genomic science in conservation. “Traditional approaches often overlook cryptic species, underestimating biodiversity and limiting our ability to conserve these unique lifeforms,” he said.
“South America is home to a wealth of threatened species, yet many regions, including the Atacama, remain underexplored at the genomic level,” he added.
The researchers say identifying hidden species is critical for conservation as climate change and habitat loss continue to reshape ecosystems. Understanding how these geckos evolved and adapted over millions of years could guide protection strategies for other desert-dwelling species facing similar threats.
A complex world beneath the desert surface: Eleven new gecko species
The discovery sheds new light on evolution in one of the planet’s most extreme landscapes. Beneath the Atacama’s barren surface, scientists have uncovered a complex genetic world that has remained hidden for millions of years—evidence that even in the driest deserts, life not only survives but continues to diversify.
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