Geology topics

Lee A. Fitzgerald

Publications and source records attributed to Lee A. Fitzgerald.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2026

The future for reptiles: Advances and challenges in the Anthropocene

The future for the Reptilia will be one of continued discovery of the extant diversity of species in every group and continued challenges for their conservation. Most species will persist, albeit in smaller and increasingly fragmented geographic ranges, and active conservation measures can help to ensure survival of highly vulnerable species. There are more than 12,440 documented species of reptiles, up from 10,500 only seven years ago. Transfer of laboratory techniques, computational resources, and access to literature to herpetologists throughout the world is fueling the increase in systematic studies of reptiles. The bulk of reptiles are the squamates, lizards and snakes, with impressive diversity on most continents. Habitat loss, landscape fragmentation, exploitation, invasive species, environmental contamination, and global warming are persistent challenges to all biodiversity, including reptiles. Endemism, ecological specialization, and restricted ranges generally make species more vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances. Moreover, the natural history information that is so important for informing conservation aims is lacking for most newly described forms, whether they represent completely novel discoveries or result from taxonomic revisions. The major lineages of reptiles exhibit enormous variation in life history traits, ranging from extremely long-lived species with low fecundity to those with short generation times and high fecundity. Reptiles vary in their degree of ecological specialization, and many live in difficult-to-sample habitats. It is implausible, if not impossible, to gather detailed information on thousands of species of reptiles, many of which are secretive and difficult to study. However, evaluating where species are likely to fit along life history gradients of time to maturity, brood size, and frequency of reproduction reveals much about their abilities to persist in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Combined with information on geographic distribution and the severity of anthropogenic pressures, consideration of life history strategies reveals important implications for conservation of reptile species. Modern approaches to conservation of reptiles, including conservation translocations, regulation of the international trade in reptiles, management of imperiled species in the context of landscapes, progress in confronting emerging diseases, and resolving human-wildlife conflict in all its forms can help ensure the persistence of the great diversity of the Reptilia in the Anthropocene.

Book chapter↗

USGS2018

Modeling the distributions of tegu lizards in native and potential invasive ranges

Invasive reptilian predators can have substantial impacts on native species and ecosystems. Tegu lizards are widely distributed in South America east of the Andes, and are popular in the international live animal trade. Two species are established in Florida (U.S.A.) - Salvator merianae (Argentine black and white tegu) and Tupinambis teguixin sensu lato (gold tegu) – and a third has been recorded there— S. rufescens (red tegu). We built species distribution models (SDMs) using 5 approaches (logistic regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines, boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy) based on data from the native ranges. We then projected these models to North America to develop hypotheses for potential tegu distributions. Our results suggest that much of the southern United States and northern México probably contains suitable habitat for one or more of these tegu species. Salvator rufescens had higher habitat suitability in semi-arid areas, whereas S. merianae and T. teguixin had higher habitat suitability in more mesic areas. We propose that Florida is not the only state where these taxa could become established, and that early detection and rapid response programs targeting tegu lizards in potentially suitable habitat elsewhere in North America could help prevent establishment and abate negative impacts on native ecosystems.

Scientific Reports↗

USGS2018

Multi-scale effects of land cover and urbanization on the habitat suitability of an endangered toad

Habitat degradation, entwined with land cover change, is a major driver of biodiversity loss. Effects of land cover change on species can be direct (when habitat is converted to alternative land cover types) or indirect (when land outside of the species habitat is altered). Hydrologic and ecological connections between terrestrial and aquatic systems are well understood, exemplifying how spatially disparate land cover conditions may influence aquatic habitats, but are rarely examined. We sought to quantify relative effects of land cover at two different but interacting scales on habitat suitability for the endangered arroyo toad ( Anaxyrus californicus ). Based on an existing distribution model for the arroyo toad and available land cover data, we estimated effects of land cover along streams and within entire watersheds on habitat suitability using structural equation modeling. Relationships between land cover and habitat suitability differed between scales, and broader, watershed-scale conditions influenced land cover along the embedded stream networks. We found anthropogenic development and forest cover at the watershed-scale negatively impacted habitat suitability, but development along stream networks was positively associated with suitability. The positive association between development along streams and habitat suitability may be attributable to increased spatial heterogeneity along urbanized streams, or related factors including policies designed to conserve riparian habitats amidst development. These findings show arroyo toad habitat is influenced by land cover across multiple scales, and can inform conservation of the species. Furthermore, our methodology can help elucidate similar dynamics with other taxa, particularly those reliant on both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

California↗

USGS2015

Integrating multiple distribution models to guide conservation efforts of an endangered toad

Species distribution models are used for numerous purposes such as predicting changes in species’ ranges and identifying biodiversity hotspots. Although implications of distribution models for conservation are often implicit, few studies use these tools explicitly to inform conservation efforts. Herein, we illustrate how multiple distribution models developed using distinct sets of environmental variables can be integrated to aid in identification sites for use in conservation. We focus on the endangered arroyo toad ( Anaxyrus californicus ), which relies on open, sandy streams and surrounding floodplains in southern California, USA, and northern Baja California, Mexico. Declines of the species are largely attributed to habitat degradation associated with vegetation encroachment, invasive predators, and altered hydrologic regimes. We had three main goals: 1) develop a model of potential habitat for arroyo toads, based on long-term environmental variables and all available locality data; 2) develop a model of the species’ current habitat by incorporating recent remotely-sensed variables and only using recent locality data; and 3) integrate results of both models to identify sites that may be employed in conservation efforts. We used a machine learning technique, Random Forests, to develop the models, focused on riparian zones in southern California. We identified 14.37% and 10.50% of our study area as potential and current habitat for the arroyo toad, respectively. Generally, inclusion of remotely-sensed variables reduced modeled suitability of sites, thus many areas modeled as potential habitat were not modeled as current habitat. We propose such sites could be made suitable for arroyo toads through active management, increasing current habitat by up to 67.02%. Our general approach can be employed to guide conservation efforts of virtually any species with sufficient data necessary to develop appropriate distribution models.

California↗

USGS2015

Brumation of introduced Black and White Tegus, Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), in southern Florida

An established population of Tupinambis merianae (Black and White Tegu) in southeastern Florida threatens the Everglades ecosystem. Understanding the behavioral ecology of Black and White Tegus could aid in management and control plans. Black and White Tegus are seasonally active and brumate during the winter in their native range, but brumation behavior is largely unstudied in either the native or the invasive range. We describe the first observations of Black and White Tegu brumation in southeastern Florida after monitoring 5 free-ranging, adult male Black and White Tegus through an inactive season using radiotelemetry and automated cameras. Duration of brumation averaged 137 days, beginning in September and ending by February. One of the 5 Black and White Tegus emerged to bask regularly during brumation, which to our knowledge represents the first documented instance of a free-ranging Black and White Tegu basking during brumation. These preliminary findings provide a basis for future research of brumation behavior.

Florida↗