Chiang Mai Journal of Science

     Gekko liboensis is a karst-dwelling endemic species to China, with identification currently based solely on morphology. This study presents the first complete mitogenome of G. liboensis, collected from Libo, Guizhou, China. The genome is circular, spanning 18,079 bp, and contains 37 typical mitochondrial genes of the family Gekkonidae and one control region. Phylogenetic reconstructions, based on nine complete mitochondrial genomes and 25 concatenated 16S rRNA and ND2 sequences using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods, support the placement of G. liboensis within the subgenus Japonigekko, identifying G. paucituberculatus as its closest relative. These findings support previous morphological and phylogenetic studies within Japonigekko taxonomy. The newly obtained genomic data enhance our understanding of mitogenome structure and offer valuable insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary background of G. liboensis. This study contributes to the growing genomic resources for gekkonid reptiles and aids future phylogenetic and conservation research.