Meeting Abstract

134-3  Monday, Jan. 7 14:00 – 14:15  Population Demographics of an Invasive Lizard Following Experimental Introduction on Small Islands FARGEVIEILLE, A*; REEDY, A M; MITCHELL, T S; DURSO, A M; DELANEY, D M; PEARSON, P R; WARNER, D A; Auburn University, Auburn; University of Virginia; Auburn University Auburn/ University of Alabama, Birmingham; Utah State University, Logan; University of Alabama, Birmingham/ Iowa State University, Ames; Auburn University Auburn/ University of Alabama, Birmingham; Auburn University Auburn/ University of Alabama, Birmingham/ Iowa State University, Ames akf0020@auburn.edu

Human activities have increased the number of species introductions into non-native ranges. After introduction, some populations grow rapidly in new environments and can affect local biota. We were interested in describing patterns of population demographics during the colonization and establishment stages following the introduction of a non-native lizard species (Anolis sagrei). We released adult lizards onto three small islands prior to the reproductive season and monitored their survival and reproduction over the first reproductive season. Subsequently, to gain insight into the establishment of these introduced populations, we examined the survival and reproduction of the descendants of the founding populations over the following two years. We found variation among islands for survival and reproductive rates of founders, which affected the patterns of juvenile and adult recruitment at a local scale. We also found variation across seasons in survival rate, with different patterns among islands. Our results demonstrate that survival and reproductive rates can vary at local scales affecting the ability of this species to colonize new environments. This fine-scale variation in survival and reproductive rate across islands has important implications for the likelihood of population establishment after colonization.