Non-native herpetofauna of Aruba island (Caribbean): patterns and insights

Abstract

Islands harbor a significant proportion of global biodiversity and also have disproportionately high richness of introduced species relative to continents. Given the sensitivity of island ecosystems to introduced species, data deficiencies on introduction pathways, patterns of establishment, and potential impacts of introduced species can hamper mitigation and conservation efforts on islands. The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for introduced amphibian and reptile (herpetofaunal) species, but patterns associated with herpetofaunal introductions on specific islands are not well explored. Here, we perform a detailed investigation of Aruba, a small Caribbean island with an exceptionally high number of introduced herpetofaunal species. We compile a database from the literature of introduction pathways, introduction years, source locations, native ranges, establishment outcomes, habitat use, and ecological impacts for three newly documented species and the 12 previously documented introduced herpetofaunal species on Aruba. From this database we synthesize emergent introduction patterns on Aruba and highlight areas of data deficiency. Overall, the patterns on Aruba echo the patterns exhibited in the greater Caribbean region. Introduction rates on Aruba have been increasing exponentially, yet the introduction pathways and source locations of most species are unknown. Following introduction, most species successfully establish localized populations in anthropogenic habitat, but the ecological impacts of most species have not been well-assessed. We suggest increased monitoring of shipments will help identify potential pathways to slow the introduction of new species, and further studies of ecological impacts of introduced species are needed.