Ecology of Urban Amphibians and Reptiles: Urbanophiles, Urbanophobes, and the Urbanoblivious

Grant, Bruce W.; Middendorf, George; Colgan, M. J.; Ahmad, Haseeb; Vogel, Michael B.

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199563562.003.0020

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…A major consequence of urbanization is the filtering of species, often resulting in lower biodiversity such that a subset of the original native community is represented in the urban habitat (Aronson et al., ; Forman, ). In general, urban communities are dominated by urban‐tolerant species, with abundances declining as urbanization increases and diversity declining as cities age (Forman, ; Grant, Middendorf, Colgan, Ahmad, & Vogel, ; McKinney, ; Shochat, Warren, Faeth, McIntyre, & Hope, ). However, urbanization can generate novel habitat space under some circumstances, resulting in new ecological opportunities and species colonization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergent habitat use of two urban lizard species

Winchell

Carlen

Puente‐Rolón

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Faunal responses to anthropogenic habitat modification represent an important aspect of global change. In Puerto Rico, two species of arboreal lizard, Anolis cristatellus and A. stratulus, are commonly encountered in urban areas, yet seem to use the urban habitat in different ways. In this study, we quantified differences in habitat use between these two species in an urban setting. For each species, we measured habitat use and preference, and the niche space of each taxon, with respect to manmade features of the urban environment. To measure niche space of these species in an urban environment, we collected data from a total of six urban sites across four different municipalities on the island of Puerto Rico. We quantified relative abundance of both species, their habitat use, and the available habitat in the environment to measure both microhabitat preference in an urban setting, as well as niche partitioning between the two different lizards. Overall, we found that the two species utilize different portions of the urban habitat. Anolis stratulus tends to use more “natural” portions of the urban environment (i.e., trees and other cultivated vegetation), whereas A. cristatellus more frequently uses anthropogenic structures. We also found that aspects of habitat discrimination in urban areas mirror a pattern measured in prior studies for forested sites in which A. stratulus was found to perch higher than A. cristatellus and preferred lower temperatures and greater canopy cover. In our study, we found that the multivariate niche space occupied by A. stratulus did not differ from the available niche space in natural portions of the urban environment and in turn represented a subset of the niche space occupied by A. cristatellus. The unique niche space occupied by A. cristatellus corresponds to manmade aspects of the urban environment generally not utilized by A. stratulus. Our results demonstrate that some species are merely tolerant of urbanization while others utilize urban habitats in novel ways. This finding has implications for long‐term persistence in urban habitats and suggests that loss of natural habitat elements may lead to nonrandom species extirpations as urbanization intensifies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergent habitat use of two urban lizard species

Winchell

Carlen

Puente‐Rolón

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Regardless of the causal factor(s), the density of this sloth population is orders of magnitude higher than previously reported for this species, suggesting that sloths may be an interesting and important component of tropical urban landscapes. Indeed, given their densities in urban areas (Table 4), sloths may well be considered a tropical, urbanophilic species (Grant et al, 2011). The existence of this high population density of B. tridactylus in an urban forest strongly affirms the need to recognize that the establishment of green spaces in cities in the tropics is likely to encourage species conservation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…might allow for a substantial increase in population size (Réus & Martins de Souza, 2007). While this hypothesis may be possible, the loss of natural predators could be offset by an increase in non-natural predators (Grant et al, 2011). More data are needed to resolve this issue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sloths in the city: unexpectedly high density of pale-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus) found in an urban forest patch in Paramaribo, Suriname

Pool¹,

Boateng²,

Ako-Adounvo³

et al. 2016

Edentata

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In October 2012 individuals associated with the Green Heritage Fund Suriname organized a rescue of arboreal mammals displaced during deforestation of a 6.8 ha plot in northwest Paramaribo. Rescued or observed animals included 137 pale-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus), eight two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus), three Brazilian porcupines (Coendou prehensilis), and three silky anteaters (Cyclopes didactylus). In addition, two lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) -a mother and baby -were seen but not rescued. Due to their lack of speed and inability to escape, it is likely that almost all of the pale-throated sloths in the forested plot were captured during the thirty-day period of clear-cutting. Comprising 91% of the total rescued animals, the 137 B. tridactylus included 61 males, 56 females, 15 juveniles, and five adults that could not be sexed. Data on body mass, length, and other features reveal a population of reasonably healthy but smaller animals at a population density of 20.1 animals/ha that far exceeds any previous reports for this species.Keywords: habitat fragmentation, Pilosa, population density, urban mammal, urbanophilic, Xenarthra Inesperada alta densidad de perezosos de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus) en un parche de bosque urbano en Paramaribo, Suriname Resumen En octubre de 2012, voluntarios asociados a Green Heritage Fund Suriname organizaron un rescate de mamíferos arbóreos desplazados durante la deforestación de una parcela de 6,8 ha situada al noroeste de Paramaribo. Los animales rescatados incluyeron 137 perezosos de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus), ocho perezosos de dos dedos (Choloepus didactylus), tres puercoespines brasileños (Coendou prehensilis) y tres hormigueros sedosos (Cyclopes didactylus). Además fueron vistos dos osos meleros (Tamandua tetradactyla) -una madre y su cachorro -aunque no fueron recogidos. Debido a su baja velocidad y su incapacidad para esconderse, es probable que prácticamente todos los animales de la parcela fueran capturados durante el período de tala de 30 días. Bradypus tridactylus representó el 91% del total de los animales rescatados; de los 137 individuos, 61 eran machos, 56 hembras, 15 juveniles y cinco adultos que no pudieron ser sexados. Los datos colectados sobre peso corporal, longitud y otras características muestran una población de animales razonablemente sanos pero más pequeños, con una densidad poblacional de 20,1 animales/ha que excede con creces a la de cualquier reporte previo de esta especie.Palabras clave: densidad poblacional, fragmentación de hábitat, mamíferos en áreas urbanas, Pilosa, Xenarthra

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“…Species that inhabit urban areas are referred to as 'urbanophiles' (see McKinney 2006); Grant et al (2011) however, use the term 'temporally urbanoblivious' for species that are generally oblivious to urbanization. The persistence of these species is tied to long life spans and successful recruitment from within populations and Grant et al (2011) hold up C. serpentina as a prime example of this classification.…”

Section: Conservation and Management Implications In Urban Landscapesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The persistence of these species is tied to long life spans and successful recruitment from within populations and Grant et al (2011) hold up C. serpentina as a prime example of this classification. The multiplicity of habitats within cities varies widely with regards to suitability for particular species; temporally urbanoblivious species are more reliant on cryptic habitats within this matrix than are true urbanophiles who thrive in the city at large.…”

Section: Conservation and Management Implications In Urban Landscapesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape

et al. 2013

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In order to effectively manage urban habitats, it is important to incorporate the spatial ecology and habitat use of the species utilizing them. Our previous studies have shown that the distribution of upland habitats surrounding a highly urbanized wetland habitat, the Central Canal (Indianapolis, IN, USA) influences the distribution of map turtles (Graptemys geographica) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) during both the active season and hibernation. In this study we detail the movements and habitat use of another prominent member of the Central Canal turtle assemblage, the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. We find the same major upland habitat associations for C. serpentina as for G. geographica and T. scripta, despite major differences in their activity (e.g., C. serpentina do not regularly engage in aerial basking). These results reinforce the importance of recognizing the connection between aquatic and surrounding terrestrial habitats, especially in urban ecosystems.

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Ecology of Urban Amphibians and Reptiles: Urbanophiles, Urbanophobes, and the Urbanoblivious

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

Divergent habitat use of two urban lizard species

Divergent habitat use of two urban lizard species

Sloths in the city: unexpectedly high density of pale-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus tridactylus) found in an urban forest patch in Paramaribo, Suriname

Movement and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape

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