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Invasive reptile species of Florida.

I. Introduction:

The problem of invasive species is relevant all over the world. In the state of Florida, this

issue is especially acute due to the hospitable climate that due to warm temperatures and

increases air moisture makes it incredibly easy for newly introduced species to thrive. The

invasive species may potentially damage the environment in many ways, human economy,

health, safety, and negatively impact native species. Among other animals, the reptiles comprise

quite a long list of the invasive species in Florida: Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis

merianae), black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis), brown anole (Anolis sagrei), the

Burmese python (Python bivittatus), common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), green

iguana (Iguana iguana), Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), Nile Monitor (Varanus

niloticus). In this review paper, some of the most invasive reptile species in the state of Florida

will be discussed. Their history, origin, and impact on native species and the environment will be

addressed. In final part will focus on the investigation of steps and measures taken or planned to

be taken in the future to reduce or eliminate these species from the state.

II. History and origin of reptile invasive species in Florida.

In this section, the history of invasive reptiles will be discussed, the ways of the invasion

as well as some aspects of the dispersal. There are multiple ways the species may be introduced.

It may be a natural or human-facilitated event, accidental or deliberate, such as pet trade or zoo

escape. The key aspects of their success will be presented (Engeman et al., 2011).

i. Green iguana (Krysko et al., 2007)

ii. Nile monitor (Enge et al., 2004), (Wood et al., 2016).

iii. Burmese python (Wilson et al., 2011).

iv. Black and White Tegu (Pernas et al., 2012).

v. Human mediated dispersal on the example of common house gecko (Short &

Petren, 2011), (Muller et al., 2020).

III. Impact on native species.

This section will cover particular examples of some invasive reptiles on native species. The

introduction of the genetic variation as one of the effects will be introduced. Besides, the

interesting effect of the attempt of their extraction will be considered.

i. Brown anole effect on native lizard species in Florida (Campbell, 2000).

ii. Birds predation by Burmese python (Dove et al., 2011).

iii. The decline of the tree snail due to predation by green iguana in Key Biscayne, Florida

(Townsend et al., 2005).

iv. Discussion of the genetic paradox of the increase in genetic variation during the invasion

of brown anole (Kolbe et al., 2004).

v. Removal of some invasive species such as green iguanas may negatively affect their

predators, such as gray fox and raccoons (Meshaka et al., 2007).

IV. Influence on the environment.

i. It is important to understand how certain species such as the Burmese python, select the

locations of their habitat. It would allow identifying the consequences, areas most

affected, and the scale and direction of the possible spread. (Walters et al., 2016)

ii. Burmese python as hosts for native mosquito communities may introduce negative

implications such as an increase in mosquito population and transmission of mosquito-

vectored pathogens (Reeves et al., 2018).

V. Economic effects.

This section will touch upon some economic implications caused by the invasion of reptiles

using the green iguana as an example.

i. Associated costs and policy implications due to green iguana invasion and consequent

infrastructural damages may be counted in billions of dollars. (Sementelli et al., 2008).

VI. Invasive reptile species management.

Steps currently that are being taken to reduce the populations of invasive reptile species will

be discussed in this section as well as some proposed solutions.

ii. Annual event National Invasive Species Awareness Week that takes place since 2010

raises the awareness and seeks for solutions (NISAW).

iii. Overview of Burmese python management steps taken in 2013 (Mazzotti, 2016).

VII. Conclusion

The invasion of the species into the non-native environment may not always have

negative consequences; in some rare cases, it might be even beneficial. However, in the case of

Florida, the invasive reptile species bring a lot of harm to not only the local environment and

ecology but also are quite costly to be managed to reduce the destructive effects of their

presence. It is a task of high importance to preserve the abundant natural habitat of the southern

state and limit the new invasions on the legislative level. This paper reviewed some of the most

abundant and damaging species, the ways and history of their introduction, the effects they

caused, and the possible ways of the control for their population numbers and spreading.

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