(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
OTHER COMMON NAMES - LIZARD, GROUND and ST. CROIX
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Reptiles
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SQUAMATA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - TEIIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - AMEIVA,
SPECIES AND SSP - POLOPS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - AMEIVA POLOPS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
St. Croix Ground Lizard
Ameiva polops Cope, 1863
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Squamata FAMILY: Teiidae
The St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops) is a small species of
Ameiva, adults measuring 50-65 mm snout vent. The head is uniform
brown dorsally (01-04). The dorsal pattern consists of a series of
longitudinal stripes (01-04). A light brown middorsal stripe followed
laterally by a series of other bands, in the order of a wide dark
brown or almost black one, a white one, and finally a dark brown one
mottled with white are present (01-04). The pupil of the eye has a
figure-eight shape, and the iris a light grayish-brown (03). The
chin, throat, chest, side of snout and underside of the arms are deep
pinkish-red (01-04). The undertail and underarms have a slight tinge
of pink (01-03). The venter is light gray with lateral bluish
markings (01-04). The tail contains alternate rings of blue and black
(01-04). Taxonomic diagnostic characters which distinguish the
species from other Ameivas include: 10 longitudinal rows of ventral
scales (12), 33-39 femoral pores, dorsal caudal scales in oblique
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
rows, enlarged median gular scales, and 2 parallel rows of pernal
scales (04). Color variation among individuals consist of differences
in the prominence and color of the stripes (03). The only character
in which the Green Cay population of A. polops differs morphologically
from the Protestant Cay population is in a significantly higher number
of preanal scales (03).
Synonymy for the species in the literature includes only Ameiva
orstedii, Reinhardt and Lutken, 1863 (05).
The holotype of the species, (USNM 30695) is located in the U.S.
National Museum in Washington D.C. The syntypes (R.4355-4356) are in
the Museum of Zoology of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Other
specimens exist in the University of Puerto Rico, Biology Museum, Rio
Piedras Campus, (UPRRP 3675-3677-3679) and at the University of
Michigan, Museum of Zoology (UMMZ 88236, 80603-04) in Ann Arbor,
Michigan. References to descriptions and/or illustrations (i.e.,
sketch, photograph) can be found in the literature (i.e., in 01,02,03,
04,06,and 07).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Virgin Islands; Federal Endangered
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops) has been designated
an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540),
as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands (Green Cay
and Protestant Cay).
Critical Habitat is addressed and identified in 50 CFR
17.95(c).
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service (NPS)
signed a cooperative agreement in January 1982 for the NPS to provide
protection of the species on Green Cay NWR.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Virgin Islands (Territory)
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
DESIGNATED STATUS: None
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Virgin Islands Department of Conservation
and Cultural Affairs
STATE STATUTES: Title 3, Chapter 22, Virgin Islands Code of Laws
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
There are no specific internationally designated statuses for
this species.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
No commercial utilization. Minimal human contact on Green Cay.
Protestant Cay is leased by a hotel complex. The lizard may be of
aesthetic value on Protestant Cay (non-consumptive recreation).
77/01/10:42 FR 02102/02104 - Proposed rule, Endangered with Crit Hab
77/06/03:42 FR 28545/ - Final rule, Endangered with Crit Hab
82/09/27:47 FR 42387/42388 - 5 year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Deciduous Forest Land
Beaches
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The literature on Ameiva polops is scant and there are no
comprehensive works on its biology (01). Recent habitat information
regarding Green Cay only indicate that the most heavily used habitat
are beach areas and upland forest of the Hippomane-Tabebuia woodland
(09:in 04), although exclusive use of such habitat was not suggested.
Principal plant species in this woodland include the trees Hippomane
mancinella, Tabebuia heterophylla, Exostema caribaeum, and the shrubs
Eupatorium sinuatum, Lantana involucrata and Croton betulinus (06:in
04). Green Cay falls in the subtropical dry forest life zone (08).
Upland forests used in Green Cay are seasonally deciduous woodlands
(12).
Optimal Ameiva polops sites in Green Cay are characterized by
exposed and canopied areas (including trees), leaf or tidal litter,
loose substrate, and crab burrows . Differential utilization of
habitat among the size classes exist, with smaller individuals being
found in more exposed habitat and larger A. polops in canopied sites
(09:in 04).
Information on other environmental parameters of this lizard's
preferred habitat are unknown. Habitat descriptions and associations
on areas previously occupied by the species, in St. Croix proper, are
also unknown.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Burrows
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Information available on the food habits of Ameiva polops is
scarce, and only refers to items taken during their diurnal activity
periods. Such information does not include details on preferred food
types or if significant variation in prey sizes exist among the
different age classes.
The food items consumed by the St. Croix ground lizard include
amphipods (i.e., sandfleas) found in beach debris (02,04,07,09) by
individuals foraging in tidal wrack (04), small white moths taken
from under the litter (09:in 04), and hermit crabs (reported for an
introduced population ,now extirpated, of A. polops on Buck Island
(04,10)).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Available behavioral information is scarce and information on
home range or territoriality is unknown.
PERIODICITY:
Like most Ameivas, the St. Croix ground lizard is diurnal (02),
when it can be seen foraging for ants and other insects, and
occasionally resting and sunning itself in the open (02).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Based on general information for Ameivas (11), this species is
non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The scarce information on the species biology indicate that the
presence of exposed and canopied areas (including trees), leaf or
tidal litter, loose substrate and crab burrows are important (09:in
04). No other details are known.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
There is no information for this species regarding this subject
(01).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
There is no information for this species regarding its
reproductive habits (01).
PARENTAL CARE:
There is no information for this species regarding this behavior.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Information on this species' population biology is unknown.
Comprehensive life history data on A. polops is not available (04).
Unpublished mark and release surveys conducted in 1980-81 by the
USFWS and Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife, estimate the
population of St. Croix ground lizards to be between 360-4300 on Green
Cay and 50 on Protestant Cay, although the population on Green Cay
probably does not exceed 2500 individuals. Recovery objectives are to
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
maintain stable populations on Green Cay and Protestant Cay and
establish a minimum self sustaining population of 500 individuals on
Buck Island (07).
Ongoing studies through the Caribbean Islands NWR are looking
at the Green Cay population. This study will be completed in 1988.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Information on this subject for A. polops is not available.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No additional information can be added at this time.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The St. Croix ground lizard's (Ameiva polops) present Endangered
status is attributed to habitat destruction or modification and to
predation pressure by the introduced Indian mongoose (Herpestes
auropunctatus) (01,02,03,04). Essential habitat has been lost due to
the extensive development of the coastal fringes in Frederiksted and
Christiansted (01-04). Disappearance of the lizard in Frederiksted
may have been hastened by the construction of a sea wall (02).
Nonetheless, the major cause of extirpation from St. Croix proper
(the above towns included) is attributed to predation by the mongoose
(01-04).
The species present restricted range includes only Green and
Protestant Cays (01-06). The former is a U.S. National Wildlife
Refuge, but the latter houses an active hotel complex. Present
threats in Protestant Cay are represented by habitat modification (03)
through beautification practices (i.e., constant raking and
undergrowth removal) (02,04).
The future of the Ameiva polops populations will depend on the
fate of these cays (02). Future threats to the species include the
danger of accidental invasion of said cays by the mongoose, and the
Ameivas vulnerability to natural catastrophes such as hurricanes (02),
primarily because of their small size and reduced habitat area. An
increase in human disturbance or habitat alteration at important
habitats, resulting from recreational activities, could also be
detrimental.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the St.
Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Atlanta, GA. 26 pp.
The following activities are recommended in the Recovery Plan for the
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
St. Croix ground lizard:
(1) Transplanting wild individuals
(2) Controlling/removing exotic vertebrates
(3) Controlling/restricting development
(4) Continuing protection of habitat on Green Cay
(5) Continuing protection of present population on Green Cay
(6) Limiting human disturbance on Green Cay
Green Cay was purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on
December 15,1977 and designated the Green Cay National Wildlife
Refuge. This provides protection for 14 of the 18 acres of
designated Critical Habitat for the ground lizard. Plans include a
retrapping effort to remove mongoose that remain after an intensive
trapping effort on Buck Island (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands), the
proposed experimental release site of wild-caught lizards.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Dodd, C.K. 1980. Ameiva polops. Cope. St. Croix ground lizard.
Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 240.1-240.2.
02 Dodd, C.K. 1978. Island lizard in the danger. National Parks and
Conservation Magazine. August 1978:10-11.
03 Heatwole, H. and F. Torres. 1967. Distribution and geographic
variation of the Ameivas of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands.
29(92):63-119.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. St. Croix Ground Lizard
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Atlanta, Georgia.
26 pp.
05 Schwartz, A. and Thomas. 1975. A check-list of West Indian
amphibians and reptiles. Carnegie Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. 1:1-216.
06 Philibosian, R. and J. Intema. 1977. Annotated checklist of the
birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians of the Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. Information Services, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
48 pp.
07 Grant, C. 1937. Herpetological notes with new species from the
American and British Virgin Islands. J. Argic. Univ. of PR.
16:47-49.
08 Ewel, J.J. & J.L. Whitmore. 1973. Las Zonas de Vida de Puerto
Rico y las Islas Virgines Americanas: una sinopsis. Boletin de
Investigacion del Servicio Forestal. ITF 18A: P. 1-10.
09 Wiley, J. In Prep. The ecology and behavior of the St. Croix
ground lizard (Ameiva polops)-an Endangered species.
10 Philibosian R. and R. Riubal. 1971. Conservation of the lizard.
Ameiva polops in the Virgin Islands. Herpetologica 27(4): 450-454.
11 Schmidt, K.P. 1928. Amphibians and land reptiles of Puerto Rico
with a list of those reported from the Virgin Islands. New York
Acad. Sci., Sci. Survey Puerto Pico and the Virgin Islands. 10(1):
1-160.
12 Woodbury, R.O., and J.L. Vivaldi. 1982. The Vegetation of Green
Cay. 24 pp. Typed report. Files FWS Caribbean Islands National
Wildlife Refuges.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Schwartz, A. and Thomas. 1975. A check-list of West Indian
amphibians and reptiles. Carnegie Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. 1:1-216.
02 Schmidt, K.P. 1928. Amphibians and land reptiles of Puerto Rico
with a list of those reported from the Virgin Islands. Sci. Surv.
Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. 160 pp. 1 plate.
03 Barbour, T. and G. Kingsley Noble. 1915. A revision of the
lizards of the genus Ameiva. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 59(6):
417-479.
04 Heatwole, H. and F. Torres. 1967. Distribution and geographic
variation of the Ameivas of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species LIZARD, GROUND, ST. CROIX
Species Id ESIS154006
Date 14 MAR 96
29(92):63-111.
05 Dodd, C.K. 1980. Ameiva polops. Cope. St. Croix ground lizard.
Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 240.1-240.2.
06 Dodd, C.K. 1978. Island lizard in the danger. National Parks and
Conservation Magazine. August 1978:10-11
07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. St. Croix Ground Lizard
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Atlanta, Georgia.
26 pp.
08 Seaman, G.A. 1961. Mammals, reptiles and amphibians of the Virgin
Islands. Brodhurst's Printery, Christiansted, St. Croix. 10 pp.
09 Grant, C. 1937. Herpetological notes with new species from the
American and British Virgin Islands. J. Argic. Univ. P.R.
16:47-49.
10 Wiley, J. In Prep. The ecology and behavior of the St. Croix
ground lizard (Ameiva polops)-an Endangered species.
11 Philibosian, R. and J. Intema. 1977. Annotated checklist of the
birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians of the Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. Information Services, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
48 pp.
References - 2