Effects of feral cats on the evolution of anti-predator behaviours in island reptiles: insights from an ancient introduction.

摘要: Exotic predators have driven the extinction of many island species. We examined impacts feral cats on abundance and anti-predator behaviours Aegean wall lizards in Cyclades (Greece), where were introduced thousands years ago. compared populations with high low cat density Naxos Island surrounding islets no cats. Cats reduced lizard by half. Lizards facing greater risk from stayed closer to refuges, more likely shed their tails a standardized assay, fled at distances when approached either person field or mounted decoy laboratory. All showed phenotypic plasticity flight initiation distance, suggesting that this feature is ancient could helped survive initial introduction region. sought shelter less frequently often initially decoy. These differences reflect changes since islet isolation render strongly susceptible predation.