Proposal - Herpetofaunal inventory and occurrence species mapping in the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge’s offshore cays.

This proposal is designed to address the inventory of herpetofauna on the 12 cays of Culebra NWR and determine if the Virgin Island tree boa or the giant anole are present on the cays.

Determine biodiversity and occurrence of amphibian and reptile species in the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge’s (NWR) offshore cays. Reptile species (amphibians to a lesser degree) are on the mayor vertebrate biodiversity representatives and least studied group of animals in the Culebra NWR. For example, a graduate student recently found what seem to be a new species of gecko within the Culebra NWR.

We will focus in 14 offshore cays within the Culebra NWR where inventory and monitoring of amphibians and reptiles has never been done and will provide the baseline species information to be used in the future for continued studies and/or management decisions.

Record GPS locations and elaborate GIS layers of species occurrence to determine species distribution per area.

Determine if the federally listed endangered Virgin Island tree boa (VI boa, Epicrates monensis granti) is present in the offshore cays, as there is suitable potential habitat for the species. Although the Culebra giant anole (Anolis roosevelti) is presumed extinct, there is a chance that the species may still occur in some of the offshore cays.

Gain a better understanding of amphibian and reptile species presence and distribution in the offshore cays to ensure the best management decisions given climate change and sea level rise predictions and vulnerabilities.

Continue determining occurrence of invasive species that may be affecting the species or habitat within the cays.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Maintainer Brent Frakes
Last Updated July 29, 2019, 14:19 (CDT)
Created July 29, 2019, 14:19 (CDT)