Hurricane Jova: The effect of a severe meteorological phenomenon on insular lizards in western Mexico

Abstract

The focus of this study was to estimate the effect of hurricane Jova (12 October 2011) on the arboreal strata and population attributes of three lizard species (Anolis nebulosus, Aspidoscelis lineattissimus, and Urosaurus bicarinatus) of a small island of 3.3 ha (San Agustin), located 500 m from the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. To do this, the damage on trees and its relationship with diameter and height were calculated. Furthermore, we estimated population density changes in 3 lizard species, as well as the survivorship rate, size, body weight, and habitat use of A. nebulosus, and U. bicarinatus. The results indicated that the third part of recorded trees was damaged by Jova, principally the tallest and thinner ones. The density of the 3 lizard species increased after Jova, as well as the size and weight of A. nebulosus, however, the survivorship of this last species was not affected. The habitat use changed after Jova, but only in A. nebulosus. Hurricane Jova did not negatively affect the lizard populations despite the negative effects occurred in the vegetation and the amount of precipitation.