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.