Tupinambis merianae as nest predators of crocodilians and turtles in Florida, USA

作者：Mazzotti Frank J^*; McEachern Michelle; Rochford Mike; Reed Robert N; Eckles Jennifer Ketterlin; Vinci Joy; Edwards Jake; Wasilewski Joseph

来源：Biological Invasions, 2015, 17(1): 47-50.

DOI：10.1007/s10530-014-0730-1

• Tupinambis merianae
• Alligator mississippiensis
• Pseudemys nelsoni
• Crocodylus acutus
• Invasive species
• Nest predation

Tupinambis merianae, is a large, omnivorous tegu lizard native to South America. Two populations of tegus are established in the state of Florida, USA, but impacts to native species are poorly documented. During summer 2013, we placed automated cameras overlooking one American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nest, which also contained a clutch of Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) eggs, and one American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) nest at a site in southeastern Florida where tegus are established. We documented tegu activity and predation on alligator and turtle eggs at the alligator nest, and tegu activity at the crocodile nest. Our finding that one of the first two crocodilian nests to be monitored was depredated by tegus suggests that tegus should be further evaluated as a threat to nesting reptiles in Florida.

• 出版日期2015-1