Progress Report Spring 2006; A rapid assessment of the status of introduced Mexican Red-bellied Squirrels at Biscayne National Park
Koprowski JL and Palmer G. 2006. Progress Report Spring 2006; A rapid assessment of the status of introduced Mexican Red-bellied Squirrels at Biscayne National Park. University of Miami. Tucson, Arizona
The Mexican red-bellied squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster) was introduced on Elliott Key (in what is now Biscayne National Park) in 1938. The introduced animals quickly established a breeding population on the island and became a highly visible member of the mammalian fauna of Biscayne National Park. The impact of this exotic species on the native flora and fauna was never clearly delineated. Introduced populations of a number of other species of tree squirrel are known to cause numerous changes at the sites of their introductions. The population was believed to be lost following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992; however, the species survived and has been documented on numerous occasions in recent years. Given the potential for exotic species to negatively influence ecosystems, it is prudent to assess the status of this conspicuous member of Biscayne National Park to document the presence, distribution, and habitat use of the species. Herein, I propose an intensive rapid assessment of Mexican red-bellied squirrel distribution and abundance on Elliott Key, Adams Key, and Sand Key.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Koprowski, John; Palmer, Geoffrey
- Date of Issue
- 2006-04-04
- Publisher
- University of Miami
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Conservation, Exotics, extirpation, Habitat, Inventory, Mammalogy, Mammals, nonindigenous, Non-Native, rapid assessment