Meeting Abstract
Reptile and amphibian species around the globe are under threat from climate change, habitat destruction, and exploitation; many species are at risk of extinction. Islands, including those in the Caribbean, are especially vulnerable due to their dynamic nature and endemism. From February 27, 2016 to March 5, 2016, we conducted a survey of Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, USVI to evaluate the species present on the island, as well as their distribution and density. Using visual encounter and vocalization surveys, and opportunistic encounters, we surveyed for reptiles and amphibians across different regions within the park. We used a USGS survey conducted by Rice and coworkers (2001) as a reference and also provided accounts of species not seen during the previous survey. We found 13 of the 17 previously reported species on the island including the blind snake Typhlops richardi, worm lizard Amphisbaena fenestrata and the red footed tortoise Geochelone carbonaria; species not observed during the previous survey. Our survey allowed us to track changes in species distribution and the status of non-native herpetofauna and their spread across the island. Most non-native species are still confined to the disturbed areas, while native species maintain their distribution across specific habitat gradients. Our results suggest that while the herpetofauna is undergoing changes due to invasive species and climate change, the overall community is relatively stable. Our survey provides useful information to the National Park Service regarding habitats used by several reclusive taxa and may be important as climate change alters local habitat conditions.
