Distribution and activity periods of Alsophis rufiventris (Colubridae) on The Quill, St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

Savit, Aaron Zvi; Heinz, H. John; Henderson, R. A.; Maley, Abigail J.; Powell, Robert

doi:10.1163/156853805774408621

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…We posit that the Quill’s higher elevational habitats (<600 m) are preferred by racers compared to the northern hills (296 m; DCNA 2014). This is also consistent with Daltry et al (1997) who observed more racers in the Quill than the drier northern hills, and with other researchers who have selected the Quill to research racers (e.g., Savit et al, 2005; Zobel, 2016). Generally, however, racers are habitat generalists and have been observed across the entire island (pers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This may be linked to greater quantities of prey such as Anolis lizards at higher elevations (Diaz et al, 2005). Alternatively, racers may prefer moist, unfragmented habitats at higher elevations with fewer shrubs and taller trees (Savit et al, 2005). Abundance estimates increased in line with increasing elevation in both years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On St. Eustatius, racers appeared to be most abundant in the Quill National Park (Daltry et al, 1997). From 3 - 23 June 2004, Savit et al . (2005) encountered 182 racers along a single hiking trail on the western slope of the Quill.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In many cases, as evidenced earlier in this paper, baseline data are lacking. Whilst some preliminary studies have been conducted on A. rufiventris on St. Eustatius (e.g., Daltry et al, 1997; Savit et al, 2005; Zobel et al, 2018), we present the first quantitative assessment of the population. The results of this study can be used as a baseline to monitor long-term population trends and survival of the racer in the context of environmental and ecological changes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Find me if you can: Pre- and Post-hurricane Densities of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on St. Eustatius, and a review of the genus in the Caribbean

Madden

Ds²,

Rl³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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We estimated population densities of the red-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius in 2011, 2018 and 2019 to determine the likely influence of hurricanes Irma and Maria (September 2017), in addition to evaluating abiotic parameters which may be correlated with its presence. Surveys were conducted at seven sites in 2011 prior to the hurricanes, and at 81 and 108 sites in 2018 and 2019 respectively posterior to the hurricanes. A total of 8.2 ha was surveyed in 2011, and 11.42 ha in 2018/2019. The pre-hurricane (2011) racer density estimate was 9.2/ha (min 7.3 - max 11.6); post-hurricane estimates were 4.6/ha (min 3.4 - max 6.0) in 2018 and 5.0/ha (min 3.8 - max 6.5) in 2019. The pre-hurricane encounter rate of individual racers was 16.0 snakes/hour compared to 0.34 snakes/hour in 2018 and 0.41 snakes/hour in 2019 (post-hurricane). The decrease in encounter rates between 2011 and 2019 implies a negative impact of the hurricanes on racer abundance. Based on calculations of detection probability (0.02 in 2018 and 0.03 in 2019), post-hurricane lambda estimates were 1.82 (95% CI 0.66 - 5.01) in 2018 and 1.60 (95% CI 0.39 - 6.65) snakes/ha in 2019. Given the current small size of the remaining population and the presence of invasive species across the snake's range, this species could be at risk of local extirpation. We suggest conservation actions such as invasive species management and habitat restoration to enable further recovery.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Find me if you can: Pre- and Post-hurricane Densities of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on St. Eustatius, and a review of the genus in the Caribbean

Madden

Ds²,

Rl³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…They are ground-dwelling, diurnal, fast-moving, oviparous, and apparently susceptible to predation by ground-dwelling, diurnal, fast-moving mongooses. Although some islands harbor healthy racer populations (e.g., Alsophis rijgersmaei on Anguilla and St.-Barthélemy and A. rufiventris on Saba and Statia; Rojer, 1997a, b;Malhotra and Thorpe, 1999;Breuil, 2002;Hodge et al, 2003;Heinz et al, 2004;Henderson, 2004;Maley et al, 2005;Savit et al, 2005), populations of the same species are restricted to small, isolated enclaves on St. Maarten (A. rijgersmaei; Powell et al, 1992Rojer, 1997c;Breuil, 2002; and extirpated on St. Christopher and Nevis (A. rufiventris; Barbour, 1930;Sajdak and Henderson, 1991;Henderson, 1992Henderson, , 2004Sajdak, 2004;Maley et al, 2005). In each instance, the mongoose appears to be primarily responsible (Henderson, 1992(Henderson, , 2004.…”

Section: Conservation Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten

Powell¹

2006

Appl. Herpetol.

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The Dutch Windward Islands (St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten) support a collective herpetofauna consisting of two frogs (both introduced), six turtles (one introduced, one of uncertain origin, and four sea turtles, of which three are known to nest in the islands), 15 or 16 lizards (depending on whether the iguanas of Saba are a species distinct from Iguana iguana), and three snakes (one introduced). Although politically united, the islands are distinct biogeographic entities and binary similarity indices for the herpetofauna are 0.38 for St. Eustatius/Saba, 0.35 for St. Eustatius/St. Maarten, and 0.20 for Saba/St. Maarten (with values varying only little when the introduced species are included). Only three species, Eleutherodactylus johnstonei, Hemidactylus mabouia, and Thecadactylus rapicauda, are found on all three islands. Species given formal recognition as being in need of protection include the sea turtles (listed in CITES appendices and the IUCN Redlist), Geochelone carbonaria (CITES), Iguana delicatissima (CITES and IUCN), Iguana iguana (CITES), and two species of Alsophis (IUCN). Other species of conservation concern include two species of Ameiva, both of which are restricted to areas of considerable human activity on islands where mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) are established, and Mabuya sp., which may be extirpated on St. Maarten. Three factors largely responsible for the status of these species are: (1) large size and economic value (turtles and iguanas), (2) persecution by people who fear them (snakes), and (3) diurnally active, terrestrial, and vulnerable to predation by mongooses (snakes, Ameiva, Mabuya). Non-governmental organizations on each island are largely responsible for conservation and related educational efforts. Specific recommendations for each island are listed.

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Conservation Of The Herpetofauna On The Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, And St. Maarten

Powell

2011

Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas Volume 2: Regional Accounts of the West Indies

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Distribution and activity periods of Alsophis rufiventris (Colubridae) on The Quill, St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract: Distribution and activity periods of Alsophis rufiventris (Colubridae)on The

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Find me if you can: Pre- and Post-hurricane Densities of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on St. Eustatius, and a review of the genus in the Caribbean

Find me if you can: Pre- and Post-hurricane Densities of the Red-bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) on St. Eustatius, and a review of the genus in the Caribbean

Conservation of the herpetofauna on the Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten

Conservation Of The Herpetofauna On The Dutch Windward Islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, And St. Maarten

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