BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 12 February 2025 between 18:00-21:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
26 August 2022 Frequency and Distribution of Reports of Free-living Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) in Hong Kong
Matthew Mo, Elouise Mo
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

This study investigated the frequency and distribution of reports of free-living green iguanas (Iguana iguana), a Neotropical lizard, in Hong Kong. We found 44 reports of I. iguana, of which 93% were removed from the wild. Thirty-nine reports were records kept by one non-government organization, one report from a government agency, and four reports from community members. Reports were sporadic between 2002 and 2011, but have occurred in every calendar year since 2012, predominately during March, July and October. Report locations were distributed broadly across 16 administrative districts, including heavily developed city areas, indicative of released or escaped pets being the source. Although there was evidence of two individuals living in one locality, we found no major concentrations of reports to indicate established populations. Nevertheless, these data should not be assumed benign since some established populations of I. iguana elsewhere have only become evident following prolonged periods of sporadic reports. It is therefore plausible that emerging reports in Hong Kong may represent a contemporary invasion presently under way. Public reporting of I. iguana plays an important role in preventative invasive species management. However, we also found cases where I. iguana reported as free-living were more likely the same captive I. iguana, highlighting potential errors with community science.

© 2022 by The Herpetological Society of Japan
Matthew Mo and Elouise Mo "Frequency and Distribution of Reports of Free-living Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) in Hong Kong," Current Herpetology 41(2), 149-162, (26 August 2022). https://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.41.149
Accepted: 9 February 2022; Published: 26 August 2022
KEYWORDS
community science
Exotic pet trade
Invasive fauna
lizard
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top