The distributional patterns of reptiles and amphibians in the Mariana Islands
Rodda GH, Fritts TH, Reichel JD. 1991. The distributional patterns of reptiles and amphibians in the Mariana Islands. Micronesica. 24(2):195-210
Recent collections of reptiles and amphibians on Cocos, Guam, Aguijan, Saipan, Anatahan, Guguan, Alamagan, Agrihan and Asuncion have produced new distribution records for the Mariana Islands. Because the islands are so isolated, all of the Marianas' reptile species are necessarily excellent dispersers. Only Emoia slevini is an endemic. Species richness declines from the larger southern islands to the smaller northern islands. Proximity to the source areas does not appear to influence species richness, perhaps because all the islands are extremely remote. Some native species appear to have declined or disappeared as a result of the introduction of exotic snakes and lizards.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rodda, Gordon; Fritts, Thomas; Reichel, James
- Units
- AMME , PACN , WAPA
- Keywords
- Amphibians, Animal Studies, Distribution, Guam, Reptiles, Saipan