Parasite in peril? A new species of mite in the genus Ophiomegistus Banks (Parasitiformes: Paramegistidae) on an endangered host,the pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters) (Squamata: Scincidae)

Host‐parasite relationships are generally understudied in wild populations but have a potential to influence host population dynamics and the broader ecosystem, which becomes particularly important when the host is endangered. Herein we describe a new species of parasitic mite from the genus Ophiomegistus (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata: Paramegistidae) of an endangered South Australian skink; the pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Adult mites were observed on lizard hosts in three different host populations, among which prevalence varied. No temporal trend in prevalence was evident over two spring‐summer seasons of monitoring. We hypothesise that the reliance on burrows as refuges by T. adelaidensis may be essential for the completion of the mite life cycle and also for horizontal transmission. The conservation implications of not only its effect on the host, but also its potential status as an endangered species itself, are considered.     

Managed relocation as an adaptation strategy for mitigating climate change threats to the persistence of an endangered lizard

The distributional ranges of many species are contracting with habitat conversion and climate change. For vertebrates, informed strategies for translocations are an essential option for decisions about their conservation management. The pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, is an endangered reptile with a highly restricted distribution, known from only a small number of natural grassland fragments in South Australia. Land‐use changes over the last century have converted perennial native grasslands into croplands, pastures and urban areas, causing substantial contraction of the species' range due to loss of essential habitat. Indeed, the species was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1992. We develop coupled‐models that link habitat suitability with stochastic demographic processes to estimate extinction risk and to explore the efficacy of potential climate adaptation options. These coupled‐models offer improvements over simple bioclimatic envelope models for estimating the impacts of climate change on persistence probability. Applying this coupled‐model approach to T. adelaidensis, we show that: (i) climate‐driven changes will adversely impact the expected minimum abundance of populations and could cause extinction without management intervention, (ii) adding artificial burrows might enhance local population density, however, without targeted translocations this measure has a limited effect on extinction risk, (iii) managed relocations are critical for safeguarding lizard population persistence, as a sole or joint action and (iv) where to source and where to relocate animals in a program of translocations depends on the velocity, extent and nonlinearities in rates of climate‐induced habitat change. These results underscore the need to consider managed relocations as part of any multifaceted plan to compensate the effects of habitat loss or shifting environmental conditions on species with low dispersal capacity. More broadly, we provide the first step towards a more comprehensive framework for integrating extinction risk, managed relocations and climate change information into range‐wide conservation management.     

Determinants of successful establishment and post‐translocation dispersal of a new population of the critically endangered St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops)

Translocation to areas free of exotic predators, habitat degradation, or disease may be the most viable restoration option for many endangered species. We report on a successful translocation of the critically endangered St. Croix ground lizard, Ameiva polops, extirpated from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean, by predation from introduced mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus). We translocated 57 adult A. polops from Green Cay to Buck Island in May 2008. We placed 4 females and 3 males each in eight, 100 m², enclosures on Buck Island for 71 days, then the enclosures were opened. During the enclosure period, 20 individuals were identified and 32 others were seen. The average number sighted per survey was only 5.28 (range = 2–10). One hatchling was sighted in an enclosure, indicating a translocated female successfully nested. Body condition of the translocated individuals increased significantly by the end of the enclosure period. Population monitoring surveys at 61 sites across Buck Island showed that 5 years after the initial translocation in June 2013, the new population had grown to an estimated 1,473 individuals and occupied 58.9% of the island. We attribute eradication of mongoose, life history of the species, large propagule size, condition of habitat, soft‐release, use of adults, interagency collaboration, and systematic assessment as primary factors that facilitated this successful translocation. Our findings provide meaningful insights on factors that enhance the potential for successful translocations, and point to new strategies aimed at restoring populations of endangered reptiles in their native ranges.     

Predation by an exotic lizard,Anolis sagrei,alters the ant community structure in betelnut palm plantations in southern Taiwan

Abstract 1. Predators can affect prey directly by reducing prey abundance and indirectly by altering behavioural patterns of prey. From previous studies, there is little evidence that ant community structure is affected by vertebrate predation. 2. Researchers tend to consider the interactions between vertebrate predators and ants to be weak. The present study examined the impact of the exotic invasive lizard, Anolis sagrei, on the ant community structure by manipulating the density of lizards within enclosures. The natural density of A. sagrei in the field was surveyed and used as the stocking density rate in the lizard‐present sub‐enclosures. 3. Before the lizard density was manipulated, there was no difference in the ant diversity between sub‐enclosures. After the lizard density manipulation, the ant diversity in sub‐enclosures with A. sagrei present was significantly different from that of enclosures where the lizards were absent, although the overall ant abundance did not differ significantly. 4. The ant diversity difference was generated by a significant reduction of the ant species Pheidole fervens in sub‐enclosures with A. sagrei present. Such an abundance change might be the result of direct predation by the lizards, or it might be generated by a foraging site shift by this ant. 5. The results of this study thus demonstrated that the invasion of an exotic vertebrate can significantly alter the community structure of ants, perhaps through the combined direct and indirect effects of lizards on ants.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tiliqua rugosa</Emphasis> microsatellites: isolation via enrichment and characterisation of loci for multiplex PCR in <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. rugosa</Emphasis> and the endangered <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. adelaidensis</Emphasis>

We used an enrichment technique to isolate 18 novel di and tri microsatellites for the socially monogamous lizard Tiliqua rugosa. These loci were amplified in conjunction with previously described loci in two and three PCR multiplexes for T. rugosa and the endangered T. adelaidensis, respectively. The loci were highly polymorphic in both species, exhibiting between 2 and 32 alleles with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.43 to 0.96. These markers will be useful for population-level analyses and can contribute to a genetic foundation for conservation strategies for the endangered T. adelaidensis.     

Effects of grazing regime on the relative body mass of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)

Many animals rely on fat reserves, to keep them alive through extended periods of food shortage, such as the winter, and to provide additional energy for reproduction. Fat reserves, measured relative to an animal's size, are often referred to as the animal's body condition. The present study investigated how different levels of grazing by domestic stock in native grassland habitat affect the body condition of the pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis), and if these effects are related to changes in the abundance and size of grasshoppers which are the lizards primary source of food. The initial hypothesis was that lizards would have the highest body condition in moderately grazed paddocks, because those paddocks would have more grasshoppers than heavily grazed paddocks, and better visual conditions for lizards to catch those grasshoppers than in ungrazed paddocks. The results, however, showed that both lizard body condition and the abundance of grasshoppers increased with decreasing grazing intensity. The connection between lizard body condition and abundance of grasshoppers was complex. Within an activity season, lizard body condition generally declined from spring to summer, while the number of grasshoppers grew. The mean size of grasshoppers seemed to be more important, as lizard body condition was higher in spring, the time of year with the largest grasshoppers. These results show that the intensity of grazing by domestic stock influences the body condition of pygmy bluetongue lizards, but that this effect is not entirely due to the reduction in the number of grasshoppers resulting from grazing.     

Feather mite abundance varies but symbiotic nature of mite‐host relationship does not differ between two ecologically dissimilar warblers

Feather mites are obligatory ectosymbionts of birds that primarily feed on the oily secretions from the uropygial gland. Feather mite abundance varies within and among host species and has various effects on host condition and fitness, but there is little consensus on factors that drive variation of this symbiotic system. We tested hypotheses regarding how within‐species and among‐species traits explain variation in both (1) mite abundance and (2) relationships between mite abundance and host body condition and components of host fitness (reproductive performance and apparent annual survival). We focused on two closely related (Parulidae), but ecologically distinct, species: Setophaga cerulea (Cerulean Warbler), a canopy dwelling open‐cup nester, and Protonotaria citrea (Prothonotary Warbler), an understory dwelling, cavity nester. We predicted that feather mites would be more abundant on and have a more parasitic relationship with P. citrea, and within P. citrea, females and older individuals would harbor greater mite abundances. We captured, took body measurements, quantified feather mite abundance on individuals’ primaries and rectrices, and monitored individuals and their nests to estimate fitness. Feather mite abundance differed by species, but in the opposite direction of our prediction. There was no relationship between mite abundance and any measure of body condition or fitness for either species or sex (also contrary to our predictions). Our results suggest that species biology and ecological context may influence mite abundance on hosts. However, this pattern does not extend to differential effects of mites on measures of host body condition or fitness.     

Experimental test of genetic rescue in isolated populations of brook trout

Genetic rescue is an increasingly considered conservation measure to address genetic erosion associated with habitat loss and fragmentation. The resulting gene flow from facilitating migration may improve fitness and adaptive potential, but is not without risks (e.g., outbreeding depression). Here, we conducted a test of genetic rescue by translocating ten (five of each sex) brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from a single source to four nearby and isolated stream populations. To control for the demographic contribution of translocated individuals, ten resident individuals (five of each sex) were removed from each recipient population. Prior to the introduction of translocated individuals, the two smallest above‐barrier populations had substantially lower genetic diversity, and all populations had reduced effective number of breeders relative to adjacent below‐barrier populations. In the first reproductive bout following translocation, 31 of 40 (78%) translocated individuals reproduced successfully. Translocated individuals contributed to more families than expected under random mating and generally produced larger full‐sibling families. We observed relatively high (>20%) introgression in three of the four recipient populations. The translocations increased genetic diversity of recipient populations by 45% in allelic richness and 25% in expected heterozygosity. Additionally, strong evidence of hybrid vigour was observed through significantly larger body sizes of hybrid offspring relative to resident offspring in all recipient populations. Continued monitoring of these populations will test for negative fitness effects beyond the first generation. However, these results provide much‐needed experimental data to inform the potential effectiveness of genetic rescue‐motivated translocations.     

Hold your breath: Observations of the endangered pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis) submerged in flooded burrows

Understanding adaptations to extreme weather events by endangered species is critical to inform conservation decisions, particularly when their adaptations relate to artificial habitat supplementation at translocation sites. Apnoea, temporary suspension of breathing, has been observed as an anti-predator adaptation by semi-aquatic reptiles that dive underwater for periods of time to avoid detection. This study reports on the observations of an endangered grassland skink, the pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis), remaining submerged in rain-induced flooded artificial burrows at an experimental translocation site.     

Behavioural thermoregulation by the endangered crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in captivity

Understanding the factors that may affect behavioural thermoregulation of endangered reptiles is important for their conservation because thermoregulation determines body temperatures and in turn physiological functions of these ectotherms. Here we measured seasonal variation in operative environmental temperature (T_e), body temperature (T_b), and microhabitat use of endangered crocodile lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) from a captive population, within open and shaded enclosures, to understand how they respond to thermally challenging environments. T_e was higher in open enclosures than in shaded enclosures. The T_b of lizards differed between the open and shaded enclosures in summer and autumn, but not in spring. In summer, crocodile lizards stayed in the water to avoid overheating, whereas in autumn, crocodile lizards perched on branches seeking optimal thermal environments. Crocodile lizards showed higher thermoregulatory effectiveness in open enclosures (with low thermal quality) than in shaded enclosures. Our study suggests that the crocodile lizard is capable of behavioural thermoregulation via microhabitat selection, although overall, it is not an effective thermoregulator. Therefore, maintaining diverse thermal environments in natural habitats for behavioural thermoregulation is an essential measure to conserve this endangered species both in the field and captivity.     

Restoring the endangered oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) to the upper Clinch River,Virginia: an evaluation of population restoration techniques

From 2005 to 2011, the federally endangered freshwater mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis (oyster mussel) was reintroduced at three sites in the upper Clinch River, Virginia, using four release techniques. These release techniques were (1) translocation of adults (site 1, n = 1418), (2) release of laboratory‐propagated sub‐adults (site 1, n = 2851), (3) release of 8‐week‐old laboratory‐propagated juveniles (site 2, n = 9501), and (4) release of artificially infested host fishes (site 3, n = 1116 host fishes). These restoration efforts provided a unique research opportunity to compare the effectiveness of techniques used to reestablish populations of extirpated and declining species. We evaluated the relative success of these four population restoration approaches via monitoring at each release site (2011–2012) using systematic 0.25‐m² quadrat sampling to estimate abundance and post‐release survival. Abundances of translocated adult and laboratory‐propagated sub‐adult E. capsaeformis at site 1 ranged 577–645 and 1678–1700 individuals, respectively, signifying successful settlement and high post‐release survival. Two untagged individuals (29.1 and 27.3 mm) were observed, indicating that recruitment is occurring at site 1. No E. capsaeformis were found at sites where 8‐week‐old laboratory‐propagated juveniles (site 2) and artificially infested host fishes (site 3) were released. Our results indicate that translocations of adults and releases of laboratory‐propagated sub‐adults were the most effective population restoration techniques for E. capsaeformis. We recommend that restoration efforts focus on the release of larger (>20 mm) individuals to accelerate augmenting and reintroducing populations and increase the probability for recovery of imperiled mussels.     

Behavioral Response of Resident Jamaican Birds to Dry Season Food Supplementation1

We used plot‐level manipulations and analyses to test the effects of food availability on the behavior and condition of resident dry‐forest birds in Jamaica. Two control plots were monitored in each of 2 yr. Food was supplemented on five plots over 2 yr with piles of cut oranges distributed around plots, which served as a direct source of carbohydrates and water, and an indirect source of ground arthropods due to increased above‐ground activity. We reduced ants on five plots over 2 yr; however, we found no difference in total ground arthropod biomass between control and reduction treatments, so we pooled these plots for analysis. We selected nine focal resident bird species for study of relative abundance, body condition, and breeding condition. Birds were sampled prior to, and 5 to 6 weeks after the initiation of treatments. Seven of nine species had higher relative abundance following food supplementation. Three species were recaptured more frequently in supplementation plots than in control plots. These abundance and persistence responses did not cause any changes in body condition. In one species, Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), food supplementation resulted in higher concentrations of individuals in breeding condition. These results demonstrate a functional response to dry‐season food availability and suggest a limiting mechanism. This study helps explain mechanisms by which bird populations respond to resource availability, and is the first successful plot‐level food supplementation experiment for tropical forest birds.     

Line transect surveying of arboreal monkeys: problems of group size and spread in a highly fragmented landscape

Line transect surveying is a relatively rapid and efficient procedure for the assessment of primate populations; although the reliability of the resulting density estimates is affected by a number of factors, including habitat configuration. In this study, primate populations were surveyed at a highly fragmented site in northeastern Brazil, where the resident species include the endangered Coimbra‐Filho's titi, Callicebus coimbrai, and the critically endangered yellow‐breasted capuchin, Cebus xanthosternos. In addition to standard line transect surveys, data were collected on the composition and distribution of resident groups during playback surveys and ecological monitoring. During surveys, a 5.3‐km trail system was walked regularly over a 7‐month period, accumulating a total transect length of 476 km and 104 sightings of Callicebus and 41 of Cebus (as well as 19 records of a third primate, Callithrix jacchus). Data were analyzed using the DISTANCE program and the Kelker method, using the perpendicular distances to first animal sighted. Estimates of group density were highly discrepant from known values for both species; although in the case of Cebus, this seemed to reflect grouping patterns at the site. For Callicebus, population density was overestimated considerably when known group counts were used. Overall, there seems to be a need for a much more rigorous standardization of procedures, and the analysis and presentation of results, in order to guarantee the most reliable interpretation possible of the data. These considerations are especially important in the case of endangered species, such as those studied here. Am. J. Primatol. 72:1100–1107, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Consistent social structure within aggregations of the Australian lizard, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Egernia stokesii</Emphasis> across seven disconnected rocky outcrops

The Australian skink lizard Egernia stokesii lives in aggregations of up to 17 individuals. Previously, at one site, these aggregations have been shown to comprise paired unrelated individuals and several cohorts of their young. To investigate whether social structuring in this species is a response to ecological conditions or is phylogenetically constrained, we sampled social aggregations of E. stokesii from seven geographically adjacent rocky outcrops (including the site previously studied) that differ in the availability of homesite crevices. Analysis of genotypes from ten microsatellite loci indicate that social structures were similar at all sites and were comparable with that of the previous study. Over all sites highly significant positive relationships were observed between the number of crevices at a site and both the number of lizards and the number of social groups. Social structure in this species seems to be phylogenetically constrained, at least in relation to the abundance of potential homesite crevices.     

Translocation of the Eastern Bristlebird 1: radio‐tracking of post‐release movements

Summary Translocating birds to a new area of habitat to restore or supplement depleted populations may pose a significant threat to the translocated individuals. While for many species, translocated individuals appear to move larger distances than resident animals, species with poor dispersal capacity may be restricted in movements and translocation methods may need to accommodate differences in movements to ensure success. In this study, designed to provide insights to inform our broader programme of translocations in New South Wales, Australia, we investigated post‐release movements in the endangered, semi‐flightless Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus). We predicted that movements would be minimal, with few differences between males and females, similar to published information for a resident un‐manipulated population. Following the release of 45 birds at a host location at Jervis Bay, NSW, over a 3‐year programme, we followed individuals for up to 2 weeks using radio‐tracking. The translocated birds had larger maximum movements and moved through much larger home ranges than non‐translocated individuals from the resident population. Translocated birds moved 300 m further after release when conspecifics were present. Males moved further than females and tended to have larger home ranges, although average daily displacement did not differ. We concluded that the semi‐flightlessness of the species does not result in minimal movements. Release at a small number of locations in the new habitat was considered appropriate for the species, as animals seem to move enough to find new unoccupied areas in a relatively short period. This work provided us with increasing confidence to continue with further translocations.     

Promiscuous mating in the endangered Australian lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis: a potential windfall for its conservation

Studies have revealed an unsuspected complexity in social systems within a few lizard species, including group living, long-term monogamy and individual recognition of partners or offspring. Comparisons among these species and their relatives could provide valuable insights, allowing us to investigate traits that are shared across social systems and identify general principles relating to the evolution of sociality. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, is a member species in the Egernia group, but is thought to show a more solitary social structure than other members in this group. Within this study we used microsatellite markers to determine the mating system of T. adelaidensis. Unlike many other species in the Egernia group, we found a predominately promiscuous mating system in T. adelaidensis. We detected multiple paternity in 75 % of litters. Of the 70 males identified as having fathered juveniles, only 5 were identified as mating with the same female in more than 1 year and only 3 were identified as the father of juveniles with the same female in consecutive years. The genetic evidence suggested that partners were chosen randomly with respect to the level of relatedness among neighbouring lizards. However, mated lizards were geographically closer to each other than expected by random chance. Multiple paternities rely on the opportunity for males to encounter multiple females during the period when they are receptive to mating, and this may depend on population densities. Drivers for the polygamous mating system may be the single occupancy burrow and the central place territorial defence of those burrows in T. adelaidensis. We propose a fourth mating system for the Egernia group: polygyny within stable non-social colonies.     

Reintroduction of Castilleja levisecta: Effects of Ecological Similarity,Source Population Genetics,and Habitat Quality

A suite of ecological and genetic factors are likely to contribute to reintroduction performance. Potential factors include the ecological similarity between seed source and introduction site, population size and genetic diversity of seed sources, and the habitat quality of the introduction site. We conducted common garden experiments with golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta), an endangered species from the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A., in order to test hypotheses about reintroduction performance and to provide management recommendations. Ten common gardens, each composed of C. levisecta individuals grown from seed from six of the remaining populations, were planted into field conditions and monitored during two growing seasons. Plant community characteristics were important predictors of observed variation in C. levisecta performance. Exotic species‐cover at common garden sites was associated with a reduction in performance of first‐year C. levisecta transplants, while survival to the second growing season increased with increasing similarity in plant functional groups between source and common garden sites. Although measures of genetic diversity, population size, and geographic distance are often used to make conservation decisions during species recovery, here they were poor predictors of C. levisecta performance and establishment. We recommend choosing material for reintroduction from ecologically similar habitats, rather than those most proximate geographically, and selecting recovery sites with low exotic species abundance.     

Translocation for conservation: Neonates are less suitable than adults

Animal behaviour can affect the outcome of conservation translocations. It is important to understand the behaviour of the species being considered for translocation and how its behaviour varies over life stages. There may be uncertainty about what life stages are best as founders for release back into wild populations. A technique called head‐starting whereby juvenile life stages are raised in captivity and then released is one potential pre‐release strategy. However, juveniles of many species have a dispersive role in the life cycle, potentially raising difficulties for establishing new populations due to dispersal from the intended habitat following release. For this study, we compared aspects of the behaviour of captive adult and neonate pygmy bluetongue lizards (Tiliqua adelaidensis) – an endangered species for which translocation is likely to be an important management strategy – to determine if neonate behavioural characteristics are appropriate for their translocation. We filmed adult and neonate pygmy bluetongue lizards and compared their behaviour. We also filmed adults over an activity season to compare seasonal behaviour. Behavioural parameters measured included basking time, burrow exits, burrows occupied and walking the perimeter wall. Neonates basked significantly more than adults in summer and autumn. Neonates are likely to be basking more than adults because they are in a stage of rapid growth and need to gain body mass before the winter inactivity period. Neonates exited burrows more often than adults and used a greater number of burrows. These results indicate neonate lizards are actively exploring their habitat. Neonates are unlikely to be as suitable for translocation as they are actively moving about and more likely to be predated upon or disperse from the translocation site. Our finding can be applied to other species that have active juvenile life stages and are at particular risk of predation due to their small size.     

Microhabitat relationships among five lizard species associated with granite outcrops in fragmented agricultural landscapes of south‐eastern Australia

A fundamental part of developing effective biodiversity conservation is to understand what factors affect the distribution and abundance of particular species. However, there is a paucity of data on ecological requirements and habitat relationships for many species, especially for groups such as reptiles. Furthermore, it is not clear whether habitat relationships for particular species in a given environment are transferable to other environments within their geographical range. This has implications for the type of ‘landscape model’ used to guide management decisions in different environments worldwide. To test the hypothesis that species‐specific habitat relationships are transferable to other environments, we present microhabitat models for five common lizard species from a poorly studied habitat – insular granite outcrops, and then compared these relationships with studies from other environments in south‐eastern Australia. We recorded twelve species from five families, representing 699 individuals, from 44 outcrops in the south‐west slopes of New South Wales. Five lizard species were abundant and accounted for 95% of all observations: Egernia striolata, Ctenotus robustus, Cryptoblepharus carnabyi, Morethia boulengeri and Carlia tetradactyla (Scincidae). Linear regression modelling revealed suites of different variables related to the abundance patterns of individual species, some of which were broadly congruent with those measured for each species in other environments. However, additional variables, particular to rocky environments, were found to relate to reptile abundance in this environment. This finding means that species' habitat relationships in one habitat may not be readily transferable to other environments, even those relatively close by. Based on these data, management decisions targeting reptile conservation in agricultural landscapes, which contain rocky outcrops, will be best guided by landscape models that not only recognize gradients in habitat suitability, but are also flexible enough to incorporate intraspecies habitat variability.     

When invasion may not be harmful: niche relations in a lizard assemblage

Some studies have suggested that non‐native species invasions may threaten local diversity by creating homogenized environments. However, many studies have been based on limited or anecdotal data, and/or have failed to consider the influence of habitat modification together with possible influences of non‐native species on native ones. Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata, Gekkonidae) likely invaded natural environments in Brazil hundreds of years ago. Yet, little is known about whether it affects native lizard fauna. We tested whether H. mabouia negatively influences native lizard species richness and abundance on a regional scale and locally through niche overlap. We analyzed species abundance and richness of nine lizard assemblages, in five of which H. mabouia occurred. We evaluated niche overlap of species in a lizard assemblage with high H. mabouia abundance through null models. Niche axes included spatial use, temporal activity and diet. Although species abundance did not differ among sites with and without the invasive species, the presence of H. mabouia seems constrained to the richer assemblages sampled. We observed significantly higher niche overlap in spatial (?_obs = 0.63; ?_exp = 0.37; P_obs ≥ P_exp = 0.0002) and trophic axes (?_obs = 0.46; ?_exp = 0.17; P_obs ≥ P_exp < 0.001), but not in activity. When we considered all axes (three‐dimensional niche), there was no overlapping among the lizard species. Our findings did not support the hypothesis that this non‐native species negatively influences other sympatric lizard species.