THE MORPHOLOGY, REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND HABITAT UTILISATION OF THE EXOTIC INVASIVE LIZARD, THE BROWN ANOLE (ANOLIS SAGREI), IN

TAIWAN

by

Gerrut Norval

submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of

MSC

In the subject

NATURE CONSERVATION

at the

University of South Africa

Supervisor: Dr. Kerry Slater

Co-supervisor: Prof. Leslie R. Brown

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Summary

Surveys and vegetation analyses were used to determine the known distribution and the

characteristics of the habitat utilised by Anolis sagrei in Taiwan. Sampled lizards were

used for morphological comparisons, and to investigate the reproductive biology of this

species in Taiwan.

The results of this study indicate that the distribution of A. sagrei in Taiwan is extensive

(≥237 ha) in Chiayi City and County (southwestern study site) and scattered (≥8 ha) in

Hualien City and County (eastern study site). These lizards were mostly found in open

sunny degraded man-made habitats.

Although some variations were noted in the comparisons between the A. sagrei collected

from the two study sites, it was concluded that the two populations likely have the same

founder population.

The reproductive biology study indicated that photoperiod and the associated

temperatures determine the reproductive cycles in A. sagrei. It also demonstrated that

reproduction in this species is energetically demanding.

Key Terms

abdominal fat weight cycle; Anolis sagrei; brown anole; habitat preference; human

commensal; income breeder; invasive species; liver weight cycle; lizard; photoperiod;

reproductive biology

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