Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding the spread and impact of exotic geckos in the greater Caribbean region

  • Review Paper
  • Published:
Biodiversity and Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Understanding the patterns and drivers of the spread of exotic species is necessary for limiting their distributions and minimizing their impacts on biodiversity. Species that are spread unintentionally versus intentionally present distinct management challenges that must be addressed with unique solutions. We assessed the spread and impact of exotic gecko species in the greater Caribbean region—a taxa and region predicted to be conducive to a high rate of unintentionally spread exotic species. From the literature, we compiled a database of exotic gecko introductions to the greater Caribbean region, recording the year of introduction, introduction pathway, establishment success, habitat use, and ecological impacts. Exotic gecko species introductions have increased exponentially over time and geckos from multiple biogeographic realms are now present in the greater Caribbean region. Species from distant realms were largely introduced intentionally to Florida via the pet trade, whereas Caribbean endemics were mostly introduced to other Caribbean islands through unintentional or unknown pathways. Regardless of the introduction pathway, most introductions resulted in established populations, usually in anthropogenic habitat. Furthermore, the exotics, Hemidactylus mabouia and H. frenatus, appear to be on the ‘winning’ end of most species interactions, including those with other exotics. Overall, our results show exotic geckos are spreading both unintentionally and intentionally with a strong potential to displace native gecko species and impact ecosystems as generalist predators. As eradication success is usually low, future conservation efforts should focus on elucidating ecological impacts and preventing new introductions through pathway-specific trade policy, financial incentives, and education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allison B, Desser SS (1981) Developmental stages of Hepatozoon lygosomarum (Doré 1919) comb. n. (Protozoa: Haemogregarinidae), a parasite of a New Zealand skink Leiolopisma nigriplantare. J Parasitol 67:852–858. https://doi.org/10.2307/3280710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alonso Bosch R, Borroto Páez R (2017) First record from Cuba of the introduced mourning gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril and Bibron, 1836). BioInvasions Rec 6:297–300. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2017.6.3.16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aowphol A, Thirakhupt K, Nabhitabhata J, Voris HK (2006) Foraging ecology of the Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko in a residential area in Thailand. Amphib-Reptil 27:491–503. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853806778877121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banks NC, Paini DR, Bayliss KL, Hodda M (2015) The role of global trade and transport network topology in the human-mediated dispersal of alien species. Ecol Lett 18:188–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12397

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour T (1930) A list of Antillean reptiles and amphibians. Zoologica 11:61–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbour T (1935) A second list of Antillean reptiles and amphibians. Zoologica 19:77–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett RD, Bartlett PP (2006) Guide and reference to the crocodilians, turtles, and lizards of Eastern and Central North America (North of Mexico). University Press of Florida, Gainesville

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer AM, Russell AP, Dollahon NR (1990) Skin folds in the gekkonid lizard genus Rhacodactylus: a natural test of the damage limitation hypothesis of mite pocket function. Can J Zool 68:1196–1201. https://doi.org/10.1139/z90-178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp JS, Mazzotti FJ (2010) Gekko gecko (Tokay gecko) Prey. Herpetol Rev 41:222

    Google Scholar 

  • Behm JE, van Buurt G, DiMarco BM et al (2019) First records of the mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris Duméril and Bibron, 1836), common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus in Duméril, 1836), and Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758) on Curaçao, Dutch Antilles, and remarks on their Caribbean distributions. BioInvasions Rec 8:34–44. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2019.8.1.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn TM, Lockwood JL, Cassey P (2009) Avian invasions: the ecology and evolution of exotic birds. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn TM, Prowse TAA, Lockwood JL, Cassey P (2013) Propagule pressure as a driver of establishment success in deliberately introduced exotic species: fact or artefact? Biol Invasions 15:1459–1469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0451-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bomford M, Kraus F, Barry SC, Lawrence E (2009) Predicting establishment success for alien reptiles and amphibians: a role for climate matching. Biol Invasions 11:713–724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-008-9285-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borroto-Páez R, Alonso Bosch R, Fabres BA, Alvarez García O (2015) Introduced amphibians and reptiles in the Cuban archipelago. Herpetol Conserv Biol 10:985–1012

    Google Scholar 

  • Breuil M (2011) The terrestrial herpetofauna of Martinique: past, present, future. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 311–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckner SD, Franz R (1994) Geographic distribution Hemidactylus mabouia. Herpetol Rev 25:164

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucol A, Alcala A (2013) Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko (Sauria: Gekkonidae) predation on juvenile house rats. Herpetol Notes 6:307–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardador L, Blackburn TM (2019) Human-habitat associations in the native distributions of alien bird species. J Appl Ecol 56:1189–1199. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carranza S, Arnold EN (2006) Systematics, biogeography, and evolution of Hemidactylus geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) elucidated using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Mol Phylogenet Evol 38:531–545

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carrete M, Tella JL (2008) Wild-bird trade and exotic invasions: a new link of conservation concern? Front Ecol Environ 6:207–211. https://doi.org/10.1890/070075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Case TJ, Bolger DT, Petren K (1994) Invasions and competitive displacement among house geckos in the tropical Pacific. Ecology 75:464–477. https://doi.org/10.2307/1939550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassey P, Blackburn TM, Sol D et al (2004) Global patterns of introduction effort and establishment success in birds. Proc Biol Sci 271:S405–S408. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2004.0199

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chalkowski K, Lepczyk CA, Zohdy S (2018) Parasite ecology of invasive species: conceptual framework and new hypotheses. Trends Parasitol 34:655–663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2018.05.008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapple D, Knegtmans J, Kikillus H, van Winkel D (2016) Biosecurity of exotic reptiles and amphibians in New Zealand: building upon Tony Whitaker’s legacy. J R Soc N Z 46:66–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2015.1108344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colautti RI, MacIsaac HJ (2004) A neutral terminology to define ‘invasive’ species. Divers Distrib 10:135–141. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1366-9516.2004.00061.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole NC, Jones CG, Harris S (2005) The need for enemy-free space: the impact of an invasive gecko on island endemics. Biol Conserv 125:467–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2005.04.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corke D (1987) Reptile conservation on the Maria Islands (St. Lucia, West Indies). Biol Conserv 40:263–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Corke D (1992) The status and conservation needs of the terrestrial herpetofauna of the Windward Islands (West Indies). Biol Conserv 62:47–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Corn JL, Mertins JW, Hanson B, Snow S (2011) First reports of ectoparasites collected from wild-caught exotic reptiles in Florida. J Med Entomol 48:94–100. https://doi.org/10.1603/ME10065

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dame EA, Petren K (2006) Behavioural mechanisms of invasion and displacement in Pacific island geckos (Hemidactylus). Anim Behav 71:1165–1173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.10.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daudin J, de Silva M (2011) An annotated checklist of the amphibians and terrestrial reptiles of the Grenadines with notes on their local natural history and conservation. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 259–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Díaz LM (2014) A new locality record for the common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Cuba, with comments on the other colonizing species of the genus in the island. IRCF Reptil Amphib 1:30–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty TS, Glen AS, Nimmo DG et al (2016) Invasive predators and global biodiversity loss. Proc Natl Acad Sci 113:11261–11265. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1602480113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dornburg A, Lippi C, Federman S et al (2016) Disentangling the influence of urbanization and invasion on endemic geckos in tropical biodiversity hot spots: a case study of Phyllodactylus martini (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) along an urban gradient in Curaçao. Bull Peabody Mus Nat Hist 57:147–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Dornburg A, Warren DL, Iglesias T, Brandley MC (2011) Natural history observations of the ichthyological and herpetological fauna on the island of Curaçao (Netherlands). Bull Peabody Mus Nat Hist 52:181–186. https://doi.org/10.3374/014.052.0106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Early R, Bradley BA, Dukes JS et al (2016) Global threats from invasive alien species in the twenty-first century and national response capacities. Nat Commun 7:12485. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12485

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Enge KM, Krysko KL, Hankins KR et al (2004) Status of the Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) in Southwestern Florida. Southeast Nat 3:571–582

    Google Scholar 

  • FAOSTAT (2019) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In: FAOSTAT data. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data. Accessed 30 Apr 2019

  • Fedler MT, Krysko KL, Avery ML (2016) Molecular analysis confirming the introduction of the Western African fan-footed gecko, Ptyodactylus togoensis (Tornier 1901) (Sauria: Phyllodactylidae), in Florida. IRCF Reptil Amphib 23:183–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Fields A, Horrocks JA (2011) The herpetofauna of Barbados: anthropogenic impacts and conservation status. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 2: Regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 89–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Fierro-Cabo A, Rentfro A (2014) First record of the tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnès, 1818) in Texas. BioInvasions Rec 3:309–313. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2014.3.4.14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floerl O, Inglis GJ, Dey K, Smith A (2009) The importance of transport hubs in stepping-stone invasions. J Appl Ecol 46:37–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01540.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franz R, Dodd CK, Buden DW (1993) Distributional records of amphibians and reptiles from the Exuma Islands, Bahamas, including the first reports of a freshwater turtle and an introduced gecko. Caribb J Sci 29:165–173

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Díaz P, Cassey P (2014) Patterns of transport and introduction of exotic amphibians in Australia. Divers Distrib 20:455–466. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons JW, Scott DE, Ryan TJ et al (2000) The global decline of reptiles, déjà vu amphibians. Bioscience 50:653–666. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0653:TGDORD]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant C (1959) Herpetology of Barbados, B.W.I. Herpetologica 15:97–101. https://doi.org/10.2307/3889431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) (2011a) Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas volume 1: Regional Accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) (2011b) Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas volume 2: Conservation Biology and the Wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes KR, Barry SC (2008) Are there any consistent predictors of invasion success? Biol Invasions 10:483–506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9146-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges SB (2011) An overview of the evolution and conservation of West Indian amphibians and reptiles. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 1: conservation biology and the wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden, pp 19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedges SB (2018) Caribherp: West Indian amphibians and reptiles (caribherp.org). Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. https://www.caribherp.org. Accessed 9 Sep 2018

  • Helmus MR, Mahler DL, Losos JB (2014) Island biogeography of the Anthropocene. Nature 513:543–546. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13739

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson RW, Delatte A, McCarthy TJ (1993) Gekko gecko (Sauria: Gekkonidae) established on Martinique, French West Indies. Caribb J Sci 29:128–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson RW, Powell R (2009) Natural history of West Indian reptiles and amphibians. University Press of Florida, Gainesville

    Google Scholar 

  • KVD Hodge R Powell EJ Censky 2003 The reptile and amphibians of Anguilla, British West Indies Anguilla National Trust, The Valley

  • Hodge KVD, Powell R, Censky EJ (2011) Conserving the herpetofauna of Anguilla. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoogmoed MS, Avila-Pires TCS (2015) Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron 1836) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), an introduced lizard new for Brazil, with remarks on and correction of its distribution in the New World. Zootaxa 4000:90–110. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4000.1.4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horan RD, Lupi F (2005) Tradeable risk permits to prevent future introductions of invasive alien species into the Great Lakes. Ecol Econ 52:289–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2004.06.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoskin CJ (2011) The invasion and potential impact of the Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) in Australia. Austral Ecol 36:240–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2010.02143.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard KG, Parmerlee JS, Powell R (2001) Natural history of the edificarian geckos Hemidactylus mabouia, Thecadactylus rapicauda, and Sphaerodactylus sputator on Anguilla. Caribb J Sci 37:285–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes DF, Meshaka WE, van Buurt G (2015) The superior colonizing gecko Hemidactylus mabouia on Curaçao: Conservation implications for the native gecko Phyllodactylus martini. J Herpetol 49:60–63. https://doi.org/10.1670/13-161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2009) Trade, transport and trouble: managing invasive species pathways in an era of globalization. J Appl Ecol 46:10–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01600.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2015) Invasion pathways at a crossroad: policy and research challenges for managing alien species introductions. J Appl Ecol 52:1418–1424. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hummelinck PW (1940) Studies on the fauna of Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and the Venezuelan Islands: no. 2. A survey of the mammals, lizards and mollusks. Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht

  • Jeschke JM, Strayer DL (2006) Determinants of vertebrate invasion success in Europe and North America. Glob Change Biol 12:1608–1619. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01213.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jesse WAM, Behm JE, Helmus MR, Ellers J (2018) Human land use promotes the abundance and diversity of exotic species on Caribbean islands. Glob Change Biol 24:4784–4796. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston JJ, Savarie PJ, Primus TM et al (2002) Risk assessment of an acetaminophen baiting program for chemical control of brown tree snakes on Guam: evaluation of baits, snake residues, and potential primary and secondary hazards. Environ Sci Technol 36:3827–3833. https://doi.org/10.1021/es015873n

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser H, Barrio-Amorós CL, Trujillo JD, Lynch JD (2002) Expansion of Eleutherodactylus johnstonei in northern South America: rapid dispersal through human interactions. Herpetol Rev 33:290–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelehear C, Brown GP, Shine R (2013) Invasive parasites in multiple invasive hosts: the arrival of a new host revives a stalled prior parasite invasion. Oikos 122:1317–1324. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0706.2013.00292.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller RP, Lodge DM, Finnoff DC (2007) Risk assessment for invasive species produces net bioeconomic benefits. Proc Natl Acad Sci 104:203–207. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0605787104

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King W, Krakauer T (1966) The exotic herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Q J Fla Acad Sci 29:144–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluge AG (1969) The evolution and geographical origin of the New World Hemidactylus mabouia-brookii complex (Gekkonidae, Sauria). Misc Publ Mus Zool Univ Mich 138:1–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapp CR, Iverson JB, Buckner SD, Cant SV (2011) Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in The Bahamas. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 53–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolbe JJ, Glor RE, Schettino LR et al (2007) Multiple sources, admixture, and genetic variation in introduced Anolis lizard populations. Conserv Biol 21:1612–1625. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00826.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus F (2009) Alien reptiles and amphibians: a scientific compendium and analysis. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraus F (2015) Impacts from invasive reptiles and amphibians. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst 46:75–97. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-112414-054450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Borgia AP (2005) Geographic distribution Hemidactylus mabouia. Herpetol Rev 36:468

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Borgia AP (2012) The Gold Dust Day Gecko, Phelsuma laticauda (Boettger 1880) (Squamata: Gekkonidae), in the Florida Keys. IRCF Reptil Amphib 19:217–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, MacKenzie-Krysko C (2016) First report of the Mourning Gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron 1836), from The Bahamas. Caribb Herpetol 54:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Sheehy CM III (2005) Ecological status of the Ocellated Gecko, Sphaerodactylus argus argus Gosse 1850, in Florida, with additional herpetological notes from the Florida Keys. Caribb J Sci 41:169–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson R, Frank PG, Martin DL (1991) A gecko new to the United States herpetofauna, with notes on geckoes of the Florida Keys. Herpetol Rev 22:11–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Sheehy CM III, Hooper AN (2003) Interspecific communal oviposition and reproduction of four species of lizards (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the lower Florida Keys. Amphib Reptil 24:390–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Enge KM, Donlan EM et al (2010) The non-marine herpetofauna of Key Biscayne, Florida. Herpetol Conserv Biol 5:132–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Burgess JP, Rochford MR et al (2011) Verified non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: outlining the invasion process and identifying invasion pathways and stages. Zootaxa 3028:1–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Somma LA, Smith DC et al (2016) New verified nonindigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida through 2015, with a summary of over 152 years of introductions. IRCF Reptil Amphib 23:110–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Krysko KL, Thomas TM (2007) Geographic distribution Hemidactylus mabouia. Herpetol Rev 38:351

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee DS (2004) Additional reptiles and amphibians introduced to the Bahamas: a growing conservation concern. Bull Chic Herpetol Soc 39:161–164

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood JL, Cassey P, Blackburn T (2005) The role of propagule pressure in explaining species invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 20:223–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2005.02.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lonsdale WM (1999) Global patterns of plant invasions and the concept of invasibility. Ecology 80:1522–1536

    Google Scholar 

  • Love B (2000) Gekko gecko (Tokay Gecko) Predation. Herpetol Rev 31:174

    Google Scholar 

  • Mack RN, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM et al (2000) Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecol Appl 10:689–710. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[0689:BICEGC]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLean WP, Kellner R, Dennis H (1977) Island lists of West Indian amphibians and reptiles. Smithson Herpetol Inf Serv 40:1–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez Rivera CC, Negrón AG, Bertrand M, Acosta J (2003) Hemidactylus mabouia (Sauria: Gekkonidae), host of Geckobia hemidactyli (Actinedida: Pterygosomatidae), throughout the Caribbean and South America. Caribb J Sci 39:321–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Masin S, Bonardi A, Padoa-Schioppa E et al (2014) Risk of invasion by frequently traded freshwater turtles. Biol Invasions 16:217–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0515-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAusland C, Costello C (2004) Avoiding invasives: trade-related policies for controlling unintentional exotic species introductions. J Environ Econ Manag 48:954–977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2003.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGeoch MA, Butchart SHM, Spear D et al (2010) Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses. Divers Distrib 16:95–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00633.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGeoch MA, Genovesi P, Bellingham PJ et al (2016) Prioritizing species, pathways, and sites to achieve conservation targets for biological invasion. Biol Invasions 18:299–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-015-1013-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr (1995) Reproductive cycle and colonization ability of the Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) in South-Central Florida. Fla Sci 58:10–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr (2000) Colonization dynamics of two exotic Geckos (Hemidactylus garnotii and H. mabouia) in Everglades National Park. J Herpetol 34:163. https://doi.org/10.2307/1565258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr, Butterfield BP, Hauge B (1994a) Hemidactylus frenatus established on the lower Florida Keys. Herpetol Rev 25:127–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr, Butterfield BP, Hauge B (1994b) Hemidactylus mabouia as an established member of the Florida herpetofauna. Herpetol Rev 25:80–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr, Clouse RM, McMahon L (1997) Diet of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) in southern Florida. Fla Field Nat 25:105–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshaka WE Jr, Butterfield BP, Hauge JB (2004) The exotic amphibians and reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar

    Google Scholar 

  • Meurisse N, Rassati D, Hurley BP et al (2019) Common pathways by which non-native forest insects move internationally and domestically. J Pest Sci 92:13–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-018-0990-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers JH, Simberloff D, Kuris AM, Carey JR (2000) Eradication revisited: dealing with exotic species. Trends Ecol Evol 15:316–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(00)01914-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niewiarowski PH, Stark A, McClung B et al (2012) Faster but not stickier: invasive house geckos can out-sprint resident mournful geckos in Moorea, French polynesia. J Herpetol 46:194–197. https://doi.org/10.1670/11-148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pergl J, Pyšek P, Bacher S et al (2017) Troubling travellers: are ecologically harmful alien species associated with particular introduction pathways? NeoBiota 32:1–20. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.32.10199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry G, Farmer M (2011) Reducing the risk of biological invasion by creating incentives for pet sellers and owners to do the right thing. J Herpetol 45:134–141. https://doi.org/10.1670/09-254.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry G, Platenberg R (2007) Recent additions to the herpetofauna of little St. James, US Virgin Islands. Appl Herpetol 4:387–389. https://doi.org/10.1163/157075407782424593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry G, Campbell EW III, Rodda GH, Fritts TH (1998) Managing island biotas: brown treesnake control using barrier technology. Proc Vertebr Pest Conf. https://doi.org/10.5070/V418110059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry G, Buchanan BW, Fisher RN et al (2008) Effects of artificial night lighting on amphibians and reptiles in urban environments. In: Mitchell JC, Jung Brown RE, Bartholomew B (eds) Urban Herpetology. Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles, Salt Lake City, pp 211–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Petren K, Case TJ (1996) An experimental demonstration of exploitation competition in an ongoing invasion. Ecology 77:118–132. https://doi.org/10.2307/2265661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philibosian R, Yntema JA (1976) Records and status of some reptiles and amphibians in the Virgin Islands. I. 1968–1975. Herpetologica 32:81–85. https://doi.org/10.2307/3891908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philibosian R, Yntema JA (1978) Records and status of some reptiles and amphibians in the Virgin Islands. II. 1975–1976. Herpetologica 34:47–51. https://doi.org/10.2307/3891609

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitt WC, Vice DS, Pitzler ME (2005) Challenges of invasive reptiles and amphibians. Wildl Damage Manag Conf Proc 84:112–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell R (2011) Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Leiden, Brill, pp 189–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell R, Crombie RI, Boss HEA (1998) Hemidactylus mabouia. Cat Am Amphib Reptil 674:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell R, Henderson RW (2012) Island lists of West Indian amphibians and reptiles. Bull Fla Mus Nat Hist 51:85–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell R, Henderson RW, Farmer MC et al (2011) Introduced amphibians and reptiles in the greater Caribbean: patterns and conservation implications. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 1: conservation biology and the wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden, pp 63–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Puth LM, Post DM (2005) Studying invasion: have we missed the boat? Ecol Lett 8:715–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00774.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rago A, While GM, Uller T (2012) Introduction pathway and climate trump ecology and life history as predictors of establishment success in alien frogs and toads. Ecol Evol 2:1437–1445. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.261

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rahel FJ, Smith MA (2018) Pathways of unauthorized fish introductions and types of management responses. Hydrobiologia 817:41–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3596-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reichard SH, White P (2001) Horticulture as a pathway of invasive plant introductions in the United States. Bioscience 51:103–113. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0103:HAAPOI]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds RG (2011) Status, conservation and introduction of amphibians and reptiles in the Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 2: regional accounts of the West Indies. Brill, Leiden, pp 377–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds RG, Niemiller ML (2010) Island invaders: introduced amphibians and reptiles in the Turks and Caicos Islands. IRCF Reptil Amphib 17:116–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro J, Reino L, Schindler S et al (2019) Trends in legal and illegal trade of wild birds: a global assessment based on expert knowledge. Biodivers Conserv 28:3343–3369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01825-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM, Rejmánek M (2011) Trees and shrubs as invasive alien species—a global review. Divers Distrib 17:788–809. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00782.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley J, Powell R, Smith DD (1991) Further observations of blunt-hooked pentastomids belonging to the genus Raillietiella Sambon, 1910 infecting Hemidactylus brookii (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Africa and the Caribbean: comparison with closely related Raillietiella spp. from an African skink (Mabuya perrotetii). Syst Parasitol 20:47–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivas GA, Molina CR, Ugueto GN et al (2012) Reptiles of Venezuela: an updated and commented checklist. Zootaxa 3211:1–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Russello MA, Avery ML, Wright TF (2008) Genetic evidence links invasive monk parakeet populations in the United States to the international pet trade. BMC Evol Biol 8:217. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-8-217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Saul W-C, Roy HE, Booy O et al (2017) Assessing patterns in introduction pathways of alien species by linking major invasion data bases. Methods Ecol Evol. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sax DF, Gaines SD (2008) Species invasions and extinction: the future of native biodiversity on islands. Proc Natl Acad Sci 105:11490–11497. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0802290105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scantlebury DP, Ng J, Landestoy MA, Glor RE (2010) Hemidactylus frenatus and Gymnophthalmus underwoodi in the Dominican republic. IRCF Reptil Amphib 17:180–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlaepfer MA, Hoover C, Dodd CK Jr (2005) Challenges in evaluating the impact of the trade in amphibians and reptiles on wild populations. Bioscience 55:256–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz A (1975) New subspecies of Sphaerodactylus copei Steindachner (Sauria, Gekkonidae) from Hispaniola. Herpetologica 31:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Seebens H, Blackburn TM, Dyer EE et al (2017) No saturation in the accumulation of alien species worldwide. Nat Commun 8:14435. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14435

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Short KH, Petren K (2012) Rapid species displacement during the invasion of Florida by the tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia. Biol Invasions 14:1177–1186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-0147-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (1995) Why do introduced species appear to devastate islands more than mainland areas? Pac Sci 49:87–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D, Parker IM, Windle PN (2005) Introduced species policy, management, and future research needs. Front Ecol Environ 3:12–20. https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2005)003[0012:ISPMAF]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D, Martin J-L, Genovesi P et al (2013) Impacts of biological invasions: what’s what and the way forward. Trends Ecol Evol 28:58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2012.07.013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith KF, Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Pedersen AB (2009a) The role of infectious diseases in biological conservation. Anim Conserv 12:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2008.00228.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith ML, Hedges SB, Buck W et al (2005) Caribbean Islands. In: Mittermeier RA, Gil PR, Hoffman M, et al. (eds) Hotspots revisited: Earth’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions. CEMEX, Mexico City, pp 112–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith KF, Behrens M, Schloegel LM et al (2009b) Reducing the risks of the wildlife trade. Science 324:594–595. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1174460

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steffen W, Grinevald J, Crutzen P, McNeill J (2011) The Anthropocene: conceptual and historical perspectives. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Math Phys Eng Sci 369:842–867. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2010.0327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss SY, Webb CO, Salamin N (2006) Exotic taxa less related to native species are more invasive. Proc Natl Acad Sci 103:5841–5845. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0508073103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stringham OC, Lockwood JL (2018) Pet problems: biological and economic factors that influence the release of alien reptiles and amphibians by pet owners. J Appl Ecol 55:2632–2640. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tapley B, Griffiths RA, Bride I (2011) Dynamics of the trade in reptiles and amphibians within the United Kingdom over a ten-year period. Herpetol J 21:27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatem AJ (2009) The worldwide airline network and the dispersal of exotic species: 2007–2010. Ecography 32:94–102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2008.05588.x

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Teillac-Deschamps P, Lorrillière R, Servais V et al (2009) Management strategies in urban green spaces: models based on an introduced exotic pet turtle. Biol Conserv 142:2258–2269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.05.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas R (1968) Notes on Antillean Geckos (Sphaerodactylus). Herpetologica 24:46–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas R (1975) The argus group of West Indian Sphaerodactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Herpetologica 31:177–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Timms BF (2008) Development theory and domestic agriculture in the Caribbean: recurring crises and missed opportunities. Caribb Geogr 15:101–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Turbelin AJ, Malamud BD, Francis RA (2017) Mapping the global state of invasive alien species: patterns of invasion and policy responses. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 26:78–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Buurt G (2005) Field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main

    Google Scholar 

  • van Buurt G (2011) Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 1: conservation biology and the Wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden, pp 145–159

    Google Scholar 

  • van Buurt G, Debrot AO (2012) Exotic and invasive terrestrial and freshwater animal species in the Dutch Caribbean. IMARES Wageningen UR: Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • van Kleunen M, Dawson W, Essl F et al (2015) Global exchange and accumulation of non-native plants. Nature 525:100–103. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14910

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Wilgen NJ, Roura-Pascual N, Richardson DM (2009) A quantitative climate-match score for risk-assessment screening of reptile and amphibian introductions. Environ Manage 44:590–607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9311-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Wilgen NJ, Wilson JRU, Elith J et al (2010) Alien invaders and reptile traders: what drives the live animal trade in South Africa? Anim Conserv 13:24–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2009.00298.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss AJ, Hedges SB (2007) Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Antillean geckos Phyllodactylus wirshingi, Tarentola americana, and Hemidactylus haitianus (Reptilia, Squamata). Mol Phylogenet Evol 45:409–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.01.006

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Westphal MI, Browne M, MacKinnon K, Noble I (2008) The link between international trade and the global distribution of invasive alien species. Biol Invasions 10:391–398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9138-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams R, Pernetta AP, Horrocks JA (2016) Outcompeted by an invader? Interference and exploitative competition between tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) and Barbados leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus pulcher) for diurnal refuges in anthropogenic coastal habitats. Integr Zool 11:229–238. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12194

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson BS, Horrocks JA, Hailey A (2011) Conservation of insular herpetofaunas in the West Indies. In: Hailey A, Wilson BS, Horrocks JA (eds) Conservation of Caribbean Island herpetofaunas volume 1: conservation biology and the Wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden, pp 3–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson LD, Porras L (1983) The ecological impact of man on the South Florida herpetofauna. Univ Kans Mus Nat Hist Spec Publ 9:1–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Y-L, Burns JH, Liao Z-Y et al (2018) Species composition, functional and phylogenetic distances correlate with success of invasive Chromolaena odorata in an experimental test. Ecol Lett 21:1211–1220. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13090

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank three anonymous reviewers, Hannah Assour, Matthew Helmus, Nicholas Huron, Payton Phillips, Victoria Ramirez, and Timothy Swartz for their comments that greatly improved the quality of this manuscript. In addition, we thank Brianna DiMarco for contributions to the exotic species database.

Funding

This study was supported by funds from Temple University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrative Ecology Lab, Center for Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Temple University, 1925 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA

    Christina D. Perella & Jocelyn E. Behm

Authors
  1. Christina D. Perella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jocelyn E. Behm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jocelyn E. Behm.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by Dirk Sven Schmeller.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article belongs to the Topical Collection: Invasive species.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

10531_2020_1939_MOESM1_ESM.tif

Fig. S1 a Number of exotic species and b number of records for the 13 gecko genera that have exotic populations in the greater Caribbean region (note broken axis in b). Color of bars indicates gecko family. Color is visible in online version (TIF 2624 kb)

10531_2020_1939_MOESM2_ESM.xlsx

Table S1 Summary of the data collected for each gecko species. The column “Earliest year” displays either the estimated year of colonization, year found, or the citation year, whichever is earliest. The list of literature sources used to gather these data for each species is included (XLSX 28 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Perella, C.D., Behm, J.E. Understanding the spread and impact of exotic geckos in the greater Caribbean region. Biodivers Conserv 29, 1109–1134 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-01939-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-01939-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation