Recent Records of Exotic Reptiles on Pohnpei, Eastern Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Buden, Donald W.; Lynch, D. Brian; Zug, George R. (2001). "Recent Records of Exotic Reptiles on Pohnpei, Eastern Caroline Islands, Micronesia" (PDF). Pacific Science. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii. 55 (1): 65–75. doi:10.1353/psc.2001.0003. ISSN 1534-6188.

Abstract: Recent Records of Exotic Reptiles on Pohnpei, Eastern Caroline Islands, Micronesia Donald W. Buden, D. Brian Lynch, and George R. Zug Abstract Seven nonindigenous species of reptiles (two freshwater turtles, one gekkonid lizard, and four snakes) were recorded on Pohnpei and adjacent Ant Atoll (Federated States of Micronesia) for the first time within the past 15 yr, three within the past 3 yr. They apparently reached Pohnpei by deliberate or inadvertent human-assisted transport, originating from widespread and distant areas including North America, Southeast Asia, Indoaustralia, and other Pacific islands. Pohnpeians (and many other Pacific islanders) often do not perceive exotics as a potential threat to the balance of natural ecosystems. Additional training and education addressing the potentially disastrous consequences of alien species and directed especially toward agencies entrusted with monitoring environmental quality are recommended to help preserve biodiversity on these small island nations. Pohnpei is a ruggedly mountainous (nearly 800 m high), densely forested, sparsely populated (31,540 people censused in 1994 [Office of Planning and Statistics 1996]) volcanic island in the west-central Pacific (Figure 1). It is located 766 km north of the equator. As the political and economic hub of the Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei hosts a broad spectrum of international visitors for business and recreation, despite its relatively small size (about 355 km2) and remote location. In addition, yachts in transit from different parts of the world frequently anchor at Pohnpei and its satellite atolls for indefinite periods of time. The potential for deliberate and inadvertent transport of exotic flora and fauna increases with the growing accessibility and popularity of the island. Recent human-assisted transport and establishment of exotic species of plants and animals throughout the Pacific Basin are well recognized (McCoid 1993 from Drake et al. 1989). Guam and the Hawaiian Islands are notorious examples (Eldredge…

Extra details:

MAG: 2093439633
OpenAlex: W2093439633