Interactions between Nesting Crocodiles and Iguanas

Dugan, Beverly A.; Rand, A. Stanley; Burghardt, Gordon M.; Bockl, Brian C.

doi:10.2307/1563530

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In the American crocodile, it has been reported that some individuals actively defend their nests while others show little or no nest protection behavior . Furthermore, as Dugan et al (1981) reported, we observed that the frequency of visitation of other species decreases with the increase of crocodile nest attendance. Results also show that crocodiles visit nests at night and principally on the darkest nights, corresponding to the visits of species that represent a greater danger to the nests.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…All of these species have already been identified as predators of nests and/or hatchlings of the American crocodile or other crocodilian species (Pooley and Ross, 1987;Mazzotti, 1989;Rodríguez-Soberón et al, 2002;Platt et al, 2008). Furthermore, iguanas are known to use the same sites to nest as American crocodiles and can dig up eggs of crocodiles when excavating their nests (Dugan et al, 1981). On one occasion in Banco Chinchorro we found two eggs from a crocodile nest from the preceeding year uncovered by iguanas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nest attendance and hatchling care in wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Charruau

Hénaut

2012

Animal Biol

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Crocodilians show universal parental care, but few studies concentrate on this behavior in wild crocodiles. We studied nest and hatchling care in genetically pure wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) on two Caribbean islands of Mexico. From 2006 to 2009 we made direct observations of crocodile behavior upon discovery of nests and groups of hatchlings in Banco Chinchorro. In 2009, we installed camera traps at 4 nests from the time of their discovery to the hatching of each nest, in Banco Chinchorro and Cozumel Island. Twenty-one other species were observed to visit crocodile nests. No nest predation was observed but nine species represented some danger to nests and/or hatchlings. Females seemed to remain in the nest vicinity during incubation. There was variability in nest visit frequencies and no nest defense toward human intrusion was observed. Visit frequency by other species at nests decreased with increased crocodile visitation. Crocodiles mainly visited nests on darker nights, corresponding to the visits of species representing greater danger for nests. Repair of the nest by females after disturbance was observed for the first time in wild American crocodiles. Crocodile visits were more frequent at the beginning and the end of incubation, which could represent different antipredation strategies. Although adult crocodiles helped during hatching for the emergence of neonates, hatchling care seemed reduced compared to other crocodile species. We provide the first data on nesting behavior of genetically pure American crocodiles in the Yucatan peninsula, which provides a base for future comparisons with Morelet's crocodiles and their hybrids.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest attendance and hatchling care in wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Charruau

Hénaut

2012

Animal Biol

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“…We did not encounter nest defense behavior toward researchers during the day over the nest, likely due to low diurnal activity in those areas. Some authors report that such behavior is common in places in inland Panama (Dugan et al, 1981), Mexico (Alvarez del Toro, 1974), and Cuba (Varona, 1980). On the other hand, at Florida, USA and Haiti it has been reported that females provide little or no nest protection (Ogden, 1978;Thorbjarnarson, 1988;Platt and Thorbjarnarson, 2000b).…”

Section: Mrs-tl (M) Cs Em (G) El (Mm) Ew (Mm) Ns (%) Dt (Cm) Db (Cm) mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Ecology and Hatchling Growth Rates of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on Coiba Island, Panama

Balaguera-Reina

Venegas‐Anaya

Sanjur

et al. 2015

South American Journal of Herpetology

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“…acutus uses a variety of habitats throughout its range. Crocodiles have adapted to disturbed and human-made habitats in Panama (Dugan et al 1981;Rodda 1984), Venezuela (Seijas 1988;Thorbjarnarson 1989), Belize (F.J. Mazzotti, personal observation), and Jamaica (M.S. Cherkiss, personal observation).…”

Section: Habitat Usementioning

confidence: 99%

The American Crocodile in Biscayne Bay, Florida

Cherkiss

Romañach

Mazzotti

2011

Estuaries and Coasts

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Intensive crocodile monitoring programs conducted during the late 1970s and early 1980s in southern Florida resulted in an optimistic outlook for recovery of the protected species population. However, some areas with suitable crocodile habitat were not investigated, such as Biscayne Bay and the mainland shorelines of Barnes and Card Sounds. The objective of our study was to determine status and habitat use of crocodiles in the aforementioned areas. Spotlight and nesting surveys were conducted from September 1996 to December 2005. The results revealed annual increases in the number of crocodiles. Crocodiles preferred protected habitats such as canals and ponds. Fewer crocodiles were observed in higher salinity water. The distribution and abundance of crocodilians in estuaries is directly dependent on timing, amount, and location of freshwater delivery, providing an opportunity to integrate habitat enhancement with ongoing ecosystem restoration and management activities.

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Interactions between Nesting Crocodiles and Iguanas

Cited by 19 publications

References 9 publications

Nest attendance and hatchling care in wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Nest attendance and hatchling care in wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Reproductive Ecology and Hatchling Growth Rates of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on Coiba Island, Panama

The American Crocodile in Biscayne Bay, Florida

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