Introduction Geckos of the genus Tarentola have been placed in the Phyllodactylidae family (Gamble et al., 2008b). The Mediterranean members form a complex of species, whose differentiation was initiated during the middle Miocene (Bauer et al., 1997; Kluge, 2001; Carranza et al., 2002; Joger, 2003; Harris et al., 2004; Harris et al., 2009; Rato et al., 2012). Several of these species are indigenous to Tunisia (located on the central-southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea). However, despite the multitude of studies concerning the herpetofauna of Tunisia (Brito et al., 2008), the majority of research conducted on members of the genus Tarentola was limited to travel narratives, faunal lists or minor parts within broader research (Boulanger, 1891; Mayet, 1903; Chabanaud, 1916; Mosauer, 1934; Blanc & Shane, 1980; Bons et al., 1984; Blanc, 1986; Le Berre, 1989). More recent studies (Nouira, 1996; 1997; Joger, 2003) reported the occurrence of four species within the country: Tarentola deserti, Tarentola neglecta, Tarentola mauritanica and Tarentola fascicularis. Several occurrence localities have been presented for these four species in the above mentioned literature (Fig. 1B). However, in much of the Tunisian territory that has not been surveyed (due to ancient political circumstances), the distribution of many species remains poorly known. Additionally, the large omission errors and the absence of functional museums make it necessary to describe the maximum geographical extent of these species and compile new distribution maps. Our recent surveys revealed new records within some previously unexplored areas such as the Borma and Jeffara regions. Accordingly, we herein present a distribution review of the genus Tarentola in Tunisia. More importantly, we provide details and comments on the species’ distributions which are crucial for targeting conservation issues. Materials and Methods Study area Tunisia is characterized by a mosaic of juxtaposed biotopes with distinct local characteristics (Karray, 1979). These mainly include: 1) the Tell region, bordered southwards by the Tunisian Dorsal, 2) the Cape Bon Peninsula, 3) the Sahel Plain, 4) Chott El Jerid, 5) the Grand Erg Oriental, 6) the Jeffara region and 7) the Dahar region (Fig. 1B). The climate of Tunisia is divided into ive bioclimatic regions ranging from humid to Saharan (Emberger, 1950). The climate is strongly inluenced by the Tunisian Dorsal which separates humid Mediterranean areas from those exposed Herpetology Notes, volume 5: 485-492 (2012) (published online on 12 October 2012) Distributional review of the genus Tarentola (Reptilia, Sauria) in Tunisia (North Africa) Wided Tlili 1,* , Michel Delaugerre 2 , Ridha Ouni 3 and Saïd Nouira 1 1 Unité de recherche “Biodiversité and Biologie des populati- ons”, 05/UR/09-10. Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences Mathématique, physique et biologiques de Tunis (FST), Campus Universitaire 2092, El Manar Tunis. 2 Reptiles et Amphibiens, Département “Systématique & Évolution”, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. Present adress : Conservatoire du littoral, 3, rue Luce de Casabianca F20200 Bastia France. 3 Tunisian Wildlife Conservation Society. Faculté des Sciences Mathématique, physique et biologiques de Tunis (FST), Campus Universitaire 2092, El Manar Tunis. *Corresponding author; e-mail: alwided@yahoo.fr Abstract. During 2005-2012, ield observations were made regarding the distribution and habitat occupation of Tarentola ssp. in Tunisia, in order to update our knowledge on their speciic distributions. Four of the nine Mediterranean members of the genus Tarentola are present in Tunisia. Prior to our study, Tarentola mauritanica was known to occur from the extreme north to the extreme south of the country. Herein, we limit its distribution at latitude 33.5. Additionally, we provide sympatric allotopic records of the former and Tarentola fascicularis in central Tunisia. New distribution records and natural history observations are also provided for Tarentola neglecta and Tarentola deserti from southern Tunisia. The herein presented data ills in gaps and marginally extends the known ranges of these species. Additional observations regarding habitat occupation and occurrence in distinct climatic regions are discussed. Keywords. Moorish gecko, Desert wall gecko, Algerian wall gecko, distribution, climatic stages, biotopes.