The herpetofauna of Anguilla, including Sombrero, which sits on its own island bank, includes three amphibians (all introduced), 13 or 14 lizards (two or three introduced, one extirpated, and two or three endemic), three snakes (two introduced), and six turtles (one introduced and one presumably native), including four sea turtles (mariners) known to occur at least occasionally in Anguillian waters. No negative effects of the introduced species have been documented, and two of them (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei and Anolis carolinensis) are largely restricted to artificial mesic areas, where they are unlikely to affect native fauna. Two of the three species with the greatest potential to cause harm (Rhinella marina and Pantherophis guttatus) are not known to breed in Anguilla. Iguana iguana poses a potential threat to native I. delicatissima through competition or hybridization. Of native species, I. delicatissima and the mariners are threatened primarily by habitat destruction and alteration tied to the growing human population and a burgeoning tourist industry. Populations of the endemic ground lizards, Ameiva corax and A. corvina, which are restricted to Little Scrub Island and Sombrero, respectively, and those of Sphaerodactylus sp. and Anolis gingivinus on Sombrero, appear to be stable, but might be vulnerable to stochastic events. Ground-dwelling species on Anguilla proper (Ameiva plei, Sphaerodactylus spp., Mabuya sp., and Alsophis rijgersmaei) are potentially vulnerable to introduced predators, such as the small Indian mongoose, which is prevalent on nearby St.-Martin/St. Maarten. Despite its relatively small size, homogenous topography, and relatively low diversity, Anguilla supports at least four terrestrial and four marine reptiles that are of global concern. Governmental and non-governmental entities have the knowledge and good intentions to legislate, implement, and enforce effective conservation efforts-but often lack the human and financial resources to do so. When complicated by some governmental agencies with firm commitments to development and a dearth of public lands, the result is at best a sporadic effort to support conservation.
