DOCSLIB.ORG

Risk Assessment of the Nonnative Argentine Black and White Tegu

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Risk Assessment of the Nonnative Argentine Black and White Tegu Risk Assessment of the Nonnative Argentine Black and White Tegu, Salvator merianae, in South Florida by Liz Anne Barraco A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL May 2015 Copyright 2015 by Liz Anne Barraco ii Acknowledgements The author wishes to express thanks to the countless people who offered assistance and support throughout this project. This work would not have have been possible without the thoughtful support, humor and friendship of Jenny Ketterlin Eckles. Dr. Colin Hughes took me in as a student and gave me the opportunity to start over with something that interested and inspired me, I could not be more grateful. Jake Edwards provided, literally, the legs of this operation during a very sticky time, unending field companionship and some very thoughtful edits. Ashley Taylor was an incredible assistant with organizing and catalouging diet items, no matter how stinky. Dr. Frank Mazzotti and his widllfie crew at University of Florida provided field support, dead lizards and pizza which were all equally appreciated. Jennifer Possley provided field expertise in the identification of multiple plant species. Lastly, and most importantly, my husband Jeff (the squirrel tamer) who never failed to be supportive, understanding and wonderful throughout this process. iv Abstract Author: Liz Anne Barraco Title: Risk Assessment of the Nonnative Argentine Black and White Tegu, Salvator merianae, in South Florida Institution: Florida Atlantic University Thesis Advisor: Dr. Colin Hughes Degree: Master of Science Year: 2015 The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a nonnative species that has invaded parts of Florida. The potential impacts of this species on native Florida wildlife are not yet known. This study looks at the stomach contents of 169 S. merianae captured between 2011 and 2013 in south Florida to infer potential impacts of S. merianae and spatial or seasonal shifts in diet. Analysis of 169 GI tracts showed that S. merianae is an omnivorous, terrestrial forager with a broad dietary range which includes insects, fruits, plants, snails, crayfish, carrion, birds, small mammals, turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs and eggs. S. merianae diet composition varied with capture habitat, the fattest tegus were collected from disturbed/agricultural areas and these samples contained, primarily, gastropods and insects. Tegu dietary habits threaten local endangered and state listed species such as the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, and the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis. Dedicated funds v and efforts need to be focused on this species to limit its further spread and future impact on native species. vi Risk Assessment of the Nonnative Argentine Black and White Tegu, Salvator merianae, in South Florida Tables .......................................................................................................................... viii Figures ...........................................................................................................................ix Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 10 Sample collection ....................................................................................................... 10 Diet analysis .............................................................................................................. 10 Variables .................................................................................................................... 12 Sex ......................................................................................................................... 12 Size class ................................................................................................................ 12 Capture habitat ....................................................................................................... 13 Collection season .................................................................................................... 14 Body condition ....................................................................................................... 15 Statistical analysis ...................................................................................................... 16 Results........................................................................................................................... 18 Sample collection ....................................................................................................... 18 Diet description .......................................................................................................... 19 Resource use variation ............................................................................................... 19 Spatial and Seasonal Variation in Population ............................................................. 21 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 23 Spatial Variation in Diet ............................................................................................. 24 Spatial and Seasonal Variation in Population ............................................................. 26 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 29 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................. 49 vii Tables Table 1. Tegu collections by variable, 169 tegu samples ................................................ 33 Table 2. Frequency of occurrence (FO) of stomach contents, 169 samples ..................... 34 Table 3. ANOSIM results for diet comparisons, plant and insect families ...................... 35 Table 4. Pairwise ANOSIM results for diet comparisons, plant and insect families among capture habitat ..................................................................................... 36 Table 5. SIMPER results for diet comparisons among capture habitat ............................ 37 Table 6. SIMPER results for plant family among capture habitat ................................... 39 Table 7. SIMPER results for insect family among capture habitat .................................. 41 Table 8. Person’s Chi-Square statistical results for contingency tables ........................... 43 Table 9. Frequency of occurrence (FO) of stomach contents, 115 samples ..................... 45 viii Figures Figure 1. Map of proposed study area for S. merianae collection ................................... 31 Figure 2. Map of actual S. merianae collections, icons indicate capture habitat .............. 32 Figure 3. Bar graphs of S. merianae sex and size class collections by month And collection season ..................................................................................... 44 ix Introduction Invasions of new areas by nonnative species are a major conservation concern when they threaten native biodiversity and natural area resources (Simberloff 2011, Hardin 2007, Devine 1998, Duffy 2009, Anderson et. al. 2004). A wide variety of nonnative species have spread into new areas, changing ecosystems and threatening biodiversity (Schmitz and Simberloff 1997, Simberloff 2013, Snow et. al. 2007). Preserving biodiversity, against this and other threats, is important for many reasons including that systems with mixtures of species produce more biomass than systems with fewer species (Duffy 2009). Biodiversity can also serve as insurance to protect an ecosystem from drastic fluctuations in populations and production and maintain its overall stability (Hooper et. al. 2005, Loreau et. al. 2001). Additionally, native biodiversity has aesthetic, cultural, and economic importance, all which are threatened by invasions (Simberloff 2013). While it can be easy to identify nonnative species, identifying species that are nonnative and invasive can be challenging; invasive species are those that spread into a natural environment and negatively affect the ecosystem (Lambertini 2011, Simberloff 2010). Impacts of invasive, nonnative species (hereafter ‘invasive species’) are second only to habitat degradation and destruction caused by humans (Wilcove et. al. 1998). Fully 42% of the animals protected under the U.S Endangered Species Act are listed as endangered, at least in part, as a result of interactions with invasive species (Wilcove et. al. 1998). Invasive species also impose a high economic cost; managing invasive species 1 takes hundreds of millions of dollars from state and federal budgets annually, draining substantial resources from other conservation efforts (Anderson et. al. 2004, Pimentel et. al. 2004). Having continuous funding is imperative for adequately controlling a nonnative invasion, as gaps in control efforts allow invasive species to proliferate and return to previous levels (Simberloff et. al. 2005). The impact of individual invasive species is challenging to determine and may not be assessed until eradication is no longer a viable option (Anderson et. al. 2004, Simberloff 2014). To ameliorate negative effects of invasive species, the impact of newly established populations
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Observations on Varanus S. Salvator in North Sulawesi
    ARTICLES Biawak 1(2): 59-66 © 2007. International Varanid Interest Group Observations on Varanus s. salvator in North Sulawesi HAROLD F. DE LISLE P.O. Box 1975 Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, US [email protected] Abstract: Asian Water Monitors (Varanus s. salvator) are widespread on the main island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, but rather rare in the province of North Sulawesi because of human predation. This study documents observations on the daily behavior of a small coastal population over a two week period. Observations of aquatic behavior led to discussion of the possibility that this population is able to catch live fish in a particular coastal lagoon. Introduction The Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator salvator) is perhaps the most wide-spread of all varanids. It is found from Sri Lanka, northern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Vietnam and Hainan (China) through Malaysia east to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and Wetar (De Lisle, 1996). Its ability to colonize the remote islands of Malaysia and Indonesia might be due to its adaptability towards freshwater and saltwater (Traeholt, 1994a), and also its large size is an advantage, giving both the energy reserves and power to survive an extended sea voyage and a greater potential to actually achieve a landfall. Backwash from tsunamis could start this process frequently enough. Figures 1A and B. Remnant primary forest on North Sulawesi Biawak 2007 Vol. 1 No. 2 60 Figure 2. Coastal stream, North Sulawesi Figure 3. Coast of the Moluccan Sea In March 2001, a month was spent in North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia (island of Sulawesi) to observe the northeastern-most populations of the Asian Water Monitor (V.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management
    Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Use of Wildlife Damage Management Methods by USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services Chapter I Introduction to Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management MAY 2017 Introduction to Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) Program completed Risk Assessments for methods used in wildlife damage management in 1992 (USDA 1997). While those Risk Assessments are still valid, for the most part, the WS Program has expanded programs into different areas of wildlife management and wildlife damage management (WDM) such as work on airports, with feral swine and management of other invasive species, disease surveillance and control. Inherently, these programs have expanded the methods being used. Additionally, research has improved the effectiveness and selectiveness of methods being used and made new tools available. Thus, new methods and strategies will be analyzed in these risk assessments to cover the latest methods being used. The risk assements are being completed in Chapters and will be made available on a website, which can be regularly updated. Similar methods are combined into single risk assessments for efficiency; for example Chapter IV contains all foothold traps being used including standard foothold traps, pole traps, and foot cuffs. The Introduction to Risk Assessments is Chapter I and was completed to give an overall summary of the national WS Program. The methods being used and risks to target and nontarget species, people, pets, and the environment, and the issue of humanenss are discussed in this Chapter. From FY11 to FY15, WS had work tasks associated with 53 different methods being used.
    [Show full text]
  • An Inventory of Online Reptile Images
    Zootaxa 0000 (0): 000–000 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2020 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.0000.0.0 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:00000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000000 An inventory of online reptile images BENJAMIN MICHAEL MARSHALL1*, PAUL FREED2, LAURIE J. VITT3, PEDRO BERNARDO4, GERNOT VOGEL5, SEBASTIAN LOTZKAT6, MICHAEL FRANZEN7, JAKOB HALLERMANN8, RICHARD D. SAGE9, BRIAN BUSH10, MARCELO RIBEIRO DUARTE11, LUCIANO JAVIER AVILA12, DAVID JANDZIK13, BORIS KLUSMEYER14, BRAD MARYAN15, JIŘÍ HOŠEK16, PETER UETZ17* 1Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9554-0605 2Scotts Mills, Oregon 97375, USA. �[email protected] 3Sam Noble Museum, Norman, Oklahoma 73072, USA. �[email protected] 4Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada. �[email protected] 5Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology, Heidelberg, Germany �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4542-518X 6Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8171-9321 7Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), 81247 München, Germany. �[email protected] 8Universität Hamburg, Centrum für Naturkunde, Hamburg, Germany �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8835-9303 9Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, and Sociedad Naturalista Andino Patagónica (SNAP), S. C. de Bariloche, Río Negro, 8400, Argentina. �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0897-6927 10Stoneville, WA, Australia. �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3487-6620 11Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, São Paulo, Brazil.
    [Show full text]
  • AC31 Doc. 14.2
    Original language: English AC31 Doc. 14.2 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ___________________ Thirty-first meeting of the Animals Committee Geneva (Switzerland), 13-17 July 2020 Interpretation and implementation matters Regulation of trade Non-detriment findings PUBLICATION OF A MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR COMMON WATER MONITORS (VARANUS SALVATOR) IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA 1. This document has been submitted by Malaysia (Management Authorities of Peninsular Malaysia – Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Department of Wildlife and National Park Peninsular Malaysia).* Background 2. For the last 50 years, Malaysia has sustained a trade in the skins of Common Water Monitors (Varanus salvator), listed in Appendix II since 1975. In accordance of Article IV, paragraph 3, exports of the specimens of Appendix-II species must be monitored continuously and suitable measures to be taken to limit such exports in order to maintain such species throughout their range at a level consistent with their role in the ecosystems and well above the level at which they would qualify for Appendix I. 3. The CITES Scientific and Management Authorities of Peninsular Malaysia committed to improve monitoring and management systems for Varanus salvator in Malaysia, which has resulted in the management system published here (Annex). Objectives and overview of the Management System for Varanus salvator 4. The management report provides information on the biological attributes of V. salvator, recent population data findings in Peninsular Malaysia and the monitoring and management systems used to ensure its sustainable trade. 5. The main specific objectives of the management report are: a) To provide a tool to support wildlife management authorities in Malaysia in the application of CITES provisions such as Non-detriment findings (NDFs).
    [Show full text]
  • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciestm
    Species 2014 Annual ReportSpecies the Species of 2014 Survival Commission and the Global Species Programme Species ISSUE 56 2014 Annual Report of the Species Survival Commission and the Global Species Programme • 2014 Spotlight on High-level Interventions IUCN SSC • IUCN Red List at 50 • Specialist Group Reports Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis), Endangered. © Martin Harvey Muhammad Yazid Muhammad © Amazing Species: Bleeding Toad The Bleeding Toad, Leptophryne cruentata, is listed as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. It is endemic to West Java, Indonesia, specifically around Mount Gede, Mount Pangaro and south of Sukabumi. The Bleeding Toad’s scientific name, cruentata, is from the Latin word meaning “bleeding” because of the frog’s overall reddish-purple appearance and blood-red and yellow marbling on its back. Geographical range The population declined drastically after the eruption of Mount Galunggung in 1987. It is Knowledge believed that other declining factors may be habitat alteration, loss, and fragmentation. Experts Although the lethal chytrid fungus, responsible for devastating declines (and possible Get Involved extinctions) in amphibian populations globally, has not been recorded in this area, the sudden decline in a creekside population is reminiscent of declines in similar amphibian species due to the presence of this pathogen. Only one individual Bleeding Toad was sighted from 1990 to 2003. Part of the range of Bleeding Toad is located in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park. Future conservation actions should include population surveys and possible captive breeding plans. The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership.
    [Show full text]
  • Limpkins Preyed on by Tegu Lizards at an Urban Park
    Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 26(4): 231–233. SHORT-COMMUNICATIONARTICLE December 2018 Stilts do not protect against crawlers: Limpkins preyed on by Tegu Lizards at an urban park Juliana Vaz Hipolito1 & Ivan Sazima2,3 1 Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. 2 Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. 3 Corresponding author: [email protected] Received on 25 September 2018. Accepted on 26 November 2018. ABSTRACT: Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a long-legged wading bird that forages mostly in wetlands in the open and occasionally under tree cover. Th is large bird is cautious and frequently scans its immediate environs when active or resting. Records of adult Limpkin predators are scarce and restricted to two very large aquatic reptiles, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in North America and the Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) in South America. Herein we report on two Limpkins killed and eaten by Black and White Tegus (Salvator merianae) at an urban park in southeastern Brazil. One of the Limpkins was still alive when we came across the predation event, whereas the other Limpkin seemed freshly killed. Th e fi rst Limpkin was already sprawled on the ground and occasionally opened the bill, vocalised hoarsely and fl apped the wings, while the Tegu repeatedly bit the bird on several body parts, which gradually weakened the bird. Th e Limpkin died when the Tegu bit hard the bird on the head and crushed the skull. In the second event the bird was bitten on several body parts and, thus, we assume that it was also killed by the Tegu that was eating the fresh corpse.
    [Show full text]
  • WILDLIFE TRADE in AMAZON COUNTRIES: an ANALYSIS of TRADE in CITES-LISTED SPECIES Note by the Executive Secretary 1
    CBD Distr. GENERAL CBD/SBSTTA/21/INF/8 17 November 2017 ENGLISH ONLY SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE Twenty-first meeting Montreal, Canada, 11-14 December 2017 Item 4 of the provisional agenda* WILDLIFE TRADE IN AMAZON COUNTRIES: AN ANALYSIS OF TRADE IN CITES-LISTED SPECIES Note by the Executive Secretary 1. The Executive Secretary is circulating herewith, for the information of participants in the twenty-first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, a report presenting a comprehensive overview of international trade in wildlife species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the Amazon countries: Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; Guyana; Peru; Suriname; and Venezuela. The analysis provides a baseline of information on trade levels and trends in these countries for the 10-year period 2005-2014, in order to inform trade management in the region. It has been produced in close collaboration with national experts, presenting contextual information and insights into the management of wildlife trade in the region. 2. The report is relevant to the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in particular with regard to decision XIII/8, paragraph 5(d), in which the Conference of the Parties requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with other members of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management, to continue to support efforts by Parties to combat illicit trafficking in wildlife, in line with United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/314 of 30 July 2015, and to enhance institutional capacities on wildlife conservation and law enforcement with relevant law enforcement bodies, such as the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime.
    [Show full text]
  • Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 23(3): 6-9
    CROCODILE SPECIALIST GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME 27 No. 3 • JULY 2008 - SEPTEMBER 2008 IUCN • Species Survival Commission CSG Newsletter Subscription The CSG Newsletter is produced and distributed by the Crocodile CROCODILE Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The CSG Newsletterr provides information on the conservation, status, news and current events concerning crocodilians, and on the SPECIALIST activities of the CSG. The Newsletter is distributed to CSG members and to other interested individuals and organizations. All Newsletter recipients are asked to contribute news and other materials. The CSG Newsletterr is available as: • Hard copy (by subscription - see below); and, • Electronic, downloadable copy (free) from “www.fl mnh.ufl .edu/ GROUP natsci/herpetology/CROCS/CSGnewsletter.htm”. Annual subscriptions for hard copies of the CSG Newsletterr may be made by cash ($US40), credit card ($AUD55) or bank transfer ($AUD55). Cheques ($USD) will be accepted, however due to increased bank charges associated with this method of payment, NEWSLETTER cheques are no longer recommended. A Subscription Form can be downloaded from “www.wmi.com.au/csgnewsletter”. All CSG communications should be addressed to: CSG Executive Offi ce, PO Box 530, Sanderson NT 0813, Australia. VOLUME 27 Number 3 Fax: (61) 8 89470678. E-mail: [email protected]. JULY 2008 – SEPTEMBER 2008 PATRONS IUCN - Species Survival Commission We thank all patrons who have donated to the CSG and its conservation program over many years, and especially to donors in 2006-2007 (listed below). CHAIRMAN: Professor Grahame Webb Big Bull Crocs! ($15,000 or more annually or in aggregate PO Box 530 donations) Sanderson, NT 0813 Australia Japan, JLIA - Japan Leather & Leather Goods Industries Association, CITES Promotion Committee & All Japan EDITORIAL AND EXECUTIVE OFFICE: Reptile Skin and Leather Association, Tokyo, Japan.
    [Show full text]
  • Study of Halal and Haram Reptil (Dhab "Uromastyx Aegyptia
    Study of Halal and Haram Reptil (Dhab "Uromastyx aegyptia", Biawak "Varanus salvator", Klarap "Draco volans") in Interconnection-Integration Perspective in Animal Systematics Practicum Sutriyono Integrated Laboratory of Science and Technology State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta - Indonesia Correspondency email: [email protected] Abstract Indonesia as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, halal and haram being important and interesting issues, and will have more value if being related to science and religion. The research aimed to study halal and haram of reptiles by tracing manuscripts of Islam and science, combining, analyzing, and drawing conclusions with species Uromastyx aegyptia (Desert lizard), Varanus salvator (Javan lizard), and Draco volan (Klarap). The results showed that Dhab (Uromastyx aegyptia) (Desert lizard) is halal, based on the hadith narrated by Muslim no. 3608, hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari no. 1538, 1539. Uromastyx aegyptia are herbivorous animals although sometimes they eat insects. Javanese lizards (Varanus salvator) in Arabic called waral, wild and fanged animals is haram for including carnivores, based on hadith narrated by Muslim no. 1932, 1933, 1934, hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari no. 5530. Klarap (Draco volans)/cleret gombel/gliding lizard is possibly halal because no law against it. Draco volans is an insectivorous, not a wild or fanged animal, but it can be haram if disgusting. Draco volans has the same category taxon as Uromastyx aegyptia at the family taxon. Keywords: Halal-haram, Reptile, Interconnection, Integration, Animal Systematics. Introduction Indonesia as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, halal and haram are an important and interesting issues and will have more value if being related to science and religion.
    [Show full text]
  • Insights Into the Introduction Histories and Population Genetic
    University of Louisville ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository Electronic Theses and Dissertations 5-2016 Insights into the introduction histories and population genetic dynamics of the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) and Argentine black and white Tegu (Salvator merianae) in Florida. Jared Price Wood University of Louisville Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, Genetics Commons, and the Population Biology Commons Recommended Citation Wood, Jared Price, "Insights into the introduction histories and population genetic dynamics of the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) and Argentine black and white Tegu (Salvator merianae) in Florida." (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2472. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2472 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ThinkIR: The nivU ersity of Louisville's Institutional Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ThinkIR: The nivU ersity of Louisville's Institutional Repository. This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has retained all other copyrights. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INSIGHTS INTO THE INTRODUCTION HISTORIES AND POPULATION GENETIC DYNAMICS OF THE NILE MONITOR (VARANUS NILOTICUS) AND ARGENTINE BLACK AND WHITE TEGU (SALVATOR MERIANAE) IN FLORIDA By Jared Price Wood B.S., Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 2010 A Dissertation Submitted
    [Show full text]
  • Varanus Salvator Bivittatus) on Tinjil Island, Indonesia
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 10(2):753–764. Submitted: 9 March 2015; Accepted: 2 June 2015; Published: 31 August 2015. ENCOUNTER RATES, AGONISTIC INTERACTIONS, AND SOCIAL HIERARCHY AMONG GARBAGE-FEEDING WATER MONITOR LIZARDS (VARANUS SALVATOR BIVITTATUS) ON TINJIL ISLAND, INDONESIA 1,4 2 3 1 LINDA T. UYEDA , ENTANG ISKANDAR , RANDALL C. KYES , AND AARON J. WIRSING 1School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA 2Primate Research Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia 3Departments of Psychology & Global Health, Center for Global Field Study, and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA 4Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—Predictable anthropogenic resource subsidies have the potential to influence the behavior of wildlife populations. Concentrated, human-provided food resources in particular have been associated with increases in encounter rates, agonistic interactions, and the development of dominance hierarchies. While the effects of food subsidies on wildlife have been well researched, few studies have focused on reptile populations. Through behavioral observations of garbage-feeding, free-living Water Monitor Lizards (Varanus salvator bivittatus) on Tinjil Island, Indonesia, we documented a higher incidence of intraspecific encounters in a garbage-feeding area as compared to areas where animals foraged naturally. The number of agonistic interactions observed was also higher in the presence of food compared with interactions observed in the absence of food. Moreover, our data suggest the presence of a primarily size-based dominance hierarchy among V. salvator frequenting the area of human-provided resources. Although agonistic interactions were frequent among garbage-feeding individuals on Tinjil Island, our observations indicate that in this population of V.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Ecology and Diet of the Argentine Black and White Tegu (Salvator Merianae) in Central Florida
    SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND DIET OF THE ARGENTINE BLACK AND WHITE TEGU (SALVATOR MERIANAE) IN CENTRAL FLORIDA By MARIE-THERESE OFFNER A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2017 © 2017 Marie-Therese Offner To my parents, for putting me in touch with nature ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the people who made it possible for me to fulfil my dreams, from the beginning of my work with tegus to the culmination of my thesis submission. My committee members each spent their time and talents shaping me to become a better biologist. Dr. Todd Campbell put me on the path. Dr. Steve Johnson accepted me under his tutelage and his continuous support ensured I was able to reach my goals. Dr. Mathieu Basille’s patience and persistence in teaching me how to code in R was invaluable and Dr. Christina Romagosa always knew how to keep up spirits. Much of my work would not have happened without my colleagues and friends past and present at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management and RVR Horse Rescue (where I began removing tegus in 2012) including Sarah Funck, Jenny Eckles, Liz Barraco, Jake Edwards, Angeline Scotten, Bernie Kaiser, Ross Dickerson, and everyone else who works to defend Florida from the threat of invasives while conserving Florida’s unique wildlife. Their enthusiasm, dedication and passion is contagious. I may not have survived without my volunteers and interns Kayla Williams, Haley Hanson, Christin Meilink, Nick Espinosa, Jesse Goodyear and others who worked alongside me collecting data in the field, nor my family and friends who supported me through the years, especially my husband Gabriel Rogasner.
    [Show full text]