Journal article
Snakes on an island: independent introductions have different potentials for invasion
Conservation Genetics, Vol.16(5), pp.1225-1241
2015
Abstract
Snakes introduced to islands can be devastating to naïve native fauna. However, introduced populations must establish before range expansion (invasion) can occur. The factors that can determine successful invasion are those associated with the introduction event (e.g., characteristics of the founding population), the location (e.g., suitable environment and prey availability) and the species (e.g. life history characteristics). Here, we collected morphometric, ecological and genetic data on the recently introduced California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in Gran Canaria. We found that snakes occurring at two locations a few 10 s of km apart do not represent the same population. Genetic analyses confirmed significant genetic difference (FST = 0.184; Dest = 0.341), and that despite being inbred (Fis = 0.245–0.257) the populations had high levels of diversity (Ho = 0.485–0.490; allelic richness = 4.875–6.364). Snakes at the different Gran Canaria locations were significantly different in morphology (colouration, mass, length and age), fitness (egg production) and diet (rodents, skinks, lizards and geckos), supporting a hypothesis of separate founding groups in combination with local environmental heterogeneity leading to variation between these populations. We concluded that one population was more successful than the other in reproduction and recruitment, and may be having a greater impact on endemic reptiles. We recommend greater eradication effort for this population, as well as monitoring of local fauna at all locations to access the impact of predation.
Details
- Title
- Snakes on an island: independent introductions have different potentials for invasion
- Authors/Creators
- C. Monzón-Argüello (Author/Creator) - Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaC. Patiño-Martínez (Author/Creator) - Asociación para el Desarrollo Sostenible y Conservación de la Biodiversidad (ADS)F. Christiansen (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityR. Gallo-Barneto (Author/Creator) - Área de Medio Ambiente. Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Ambiental (GesPlan S. A.)M.Á. Cabrera-Pérez (Author/Creator) - Gobierno de CanariasM.Á. Peña-Estévez (Author/Creator) - Cabildo de Gran CanariaL.F. López-Jurado (Author/Creator) - Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaP.L.M. Lee (Author/Creator) - Deakin University
- Publication Details
- Conservation Genetics, Vol.16(5), pp.1225-1241
- Publisher
- Kluwer Academic Publishers
- Identifiers
- 991005544710007891
- Copyright
- © 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrech
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.683 Reptile Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Genetics & Heredity
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology