Study

Population estimates and management of Ameiva polops (Cope) at Ruth Island, United States Virgin Islands

  • Published source details McNair D.B. & Mackay A. (2005) Population estimates and management of Ameiva polops (Cope) at Ruth Island, United States Virgin Islands. Caribbean Journal of Science, 41, 352-357.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Release reptiles outside of their native range

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Release reptiles outside of their native range

    A replicated study in 2003 on an island containing forest and scrub in the US Virgin Islands (McNair & Mackay 2005) found that releasing St. Croix ground lizards Ameiva polops outside of their native range on to a newly created island resulted in a population that survived and grew over 10 years after release. Ten years after release, 21 individual lizards were identified on the island (9 adults, 11 juveniles and 1 not aged) and the total population size was estimated at 60. Ten lizards were translocated from Protestant Cay in 1990 and one from Green Cay in 1995 to the dredge spoil islet, Ruth Island (7.5 ha, made in 1965 from the construction of a shipping channel), where the species had not been present before. Lizards were visually surveyed five times from March to May 2003 on 20 randomly chosen 25 x 4 m plots in vegetated parts of the island.

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust