Extensive contiguous north–south range expansion of the original population of an invasive lizard in Florida

Authors

Michaella M. Smith, Delray Beach, Florida
Henry T. Smith, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park ServiceFollow
Richard M. Engeman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

August 2004

Comments

Published by International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 54 (2004) 261 – 264.

Abstract

Florida has one of the two worst non-indigenous invasive species problems in the United States, and all such species are considered by statute to be a potential ecological problem. Unfortunately, little information is available about most of Florida’s invasive species. Here, we provide information on range expansion of a population of one of the lesser-known species. The Palm Beach County, Florida, population of the northern curly-tailed lizard, Leiocephalus carinatus armouri, was examined for north–south expansion of its previously documented range. Observations were conducted as contiguous expansion outward from the previously known range. We found a substantial contiguous range expansion by a minimum of 46:3 km to the south and 34:1 km to the north. This species appears to be closely associated with coastal habitat degradation in the form of human infrastructure, especially ageing pavement, sea walls, buildings, and bridge bases.