Disentangling the Influence of Urbanization and Invasion on Endemic Geckos in Tropical Biodiversity Hot Spots: A Case Study ofPhyllodactylus martini(Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) along an Urban Gradient in Curaçao

摘要: Predicting the response of endemic species to urbanization has emerged as a fundamental challenge in 21st century conservation biology. The factors that underlie population declines reptiles are particularly nebulous, these often least understood class vertebrates given community. In this study, we assess correlations between feeding ecology and phenotypic traits Lesser Antillean Dutch leaf-toed gecko, Phyllodactylus martini, along an urban gradient Caribbean island Curacao. There been marked decline developed habitats associated with invasive tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia. We find correlation aspects locomotor morphology prey undeveloped is absent habitats. Analyses stomach contents further suggest martini alters primary items areas. However, changes promote overlap foraging niches mabouia, suggesting direct resource competition contributing martini. addition competitive exclusion, extirpation could also be attributed top-down control on growth by Colonizations walls put contact mabouia increasing chances for predation events, evidenced our observation event juvenile adult mabuoia. total, results add growing body literature demonstrating threat synanthropic pose endemics might otherwise able cope increased pressures.