Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T17:58:10.386Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Threats to the Critically Endangered endemic Bermudian skink Eumeces longirostris

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

John Davenport ,
Jeremy Hills ,
Anne Glasspool  and
Jack Ward
Jeremy Hills
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, UK
Anne Glasspool
Affiliation:
Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum and Zoo, PO Box FL 145, Flatts, FL BX, Bermuda
Jack Ward
Affiliation:
Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum and Zoo, PO Box FL 145, Flatts, FL BX, Bermuda
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The Bermudian rock lizard or skink Eumeces longirostris is categorized as Critically Endangered on the 2000 IUCN Red List. Skinks are vulnerable to habitat loss, introduction of non-native species and mortality caused by discarded bottles and cans that act as selfbaiting traps. This study describes the population characteristics of the Bermudian skink on two islands of the Bermudian archipelago: Nonsuch and Southampton islands. Nonsuch Island is a nature reserve but has populations of introduced lizards of the genus Anolis, lizard-eating birds and (a new finding) the cane toad Bufo marinus. Southampton Island is relatively isolated and has no introduced species. The skink population on Nonsuch Island was not investigated in detail, but appears to be small, localized to human habitation (where cover and food scraps are available) and dominated by large, old (some possibly >27 years) animals that exhibit high mutilation rates. Breeding occurs, but survival to adulthood appears poor. All of neighbouring Southampton Island was intensively trapped, with traps placed at the intersections of a 10-m grid. The population was estimated by mark–recapture trials to be c. 400 adults and juveniles; hatchlings are insectivorous and not susceptible to trapping. The population on Southampton Island is currently the largest known on Bermuda and appears to be viable; sustained isolation from predators and people is essential to its maintenance.

Keywords

BermudaCritically Endangered lizardsEumeces longirostrisskinks
Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 35 , Issue 4 , October 2001 , pp. 332 - 339
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 2001

References

Barnes, J.A. & Eddy, F. (1987) Captive reproduction of the Bermuda rock lizard or skink (Eumeces longirostris). Animal Keeper's Forum, 14, 239–240.Google Scholar
Conyers, J. (1996) Bermuda skink listed as critically endangered. Critter Talk, 19, 9.Google Scholar
Cope, E.D. (1861) On the Reptilia of Sombrero and Bermuda. In Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, USA.Google Scholar
Garber, S.D. (1988) Behavior and ecology of the endangered endemic Bermuda rock lizard (Eumeces longirostris). In Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Captive Propagation and Husbandry, pp. 67–69.Google Scholar
Greenwood, J.J.D. (1996) Basic techniques. In Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook (ed. Sutherland, W. J.), pp. 11–110. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
Heilprin, A. (1889) The Bermuda Islands – A Contribution to the Physical History and Zoology of the Somers Archipelago. Heilprin, Philadelphia, USA.Google Scholar
Hikida, T. (1981) Demography of an island population of the lizard, Eumeces okadae, on Miyake-Jima, Izu Islands. Research in Population Biology, 32, 119–133.Google Scholar
Hilton-Taylor, C. (compiler) (2000) 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
Raine, A. (1998) A Study of Morphological Differentiation, Fluctuating Asymmetry and the Threats Facing Isolated Populations of the Critically Endangered Bermuda Rock Lizard. MSc Thesis, University College London, London, UK.Google Scholar
Shin, K. (1996) Minitab Guide. Irwin Statistical Software Series 2nd edn.McGraw-Hill, Chicago, USA.Google Scholar
Taylor, E.H. (1936) A taxonomic study of the cosmopolitan scincoid genus Eumeces with an account of the distribution and relationships of its species. Kansas University Scientific Bulletin, 23, 1–643.Google Scholar
Thomas, M.L.H. & Logan, A. (1992) A Guide to the Ecology of Shoreline and Shallow-water Marine Communities in Bermuda. BBSR Special Publication No. 30, 346 pp.Google Scholar
Verrill, A.E. (1902) The Bermuda Islands – an account of the scenery, climate, production, physiography, natural history and geology with sketches of their discovery and early history, and changes in the flora and fauna due to man. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Science, 11, 413–956.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wingate, D.B. (1965) Terrestrial herpetofauna of Bermuda. Herpetologica, 21, 202–218.Google Scholar
Wingate, R.S. (1998) A Comparison of Demography and Morphological Variation in Two Insular Populations of the Bermuda Rock Lizard (Eumeces longirostris). BSc Dissertation, University of Wales, Swansea, UK.Google Scholar