Amphibians & Reptiles


Research study on amphibians and reptiles in the Exumas.

Distributional Records of Amphibians and Reptiles from the
Exuma Islands, Bahamas, Including the First Reports of a
Freshwater Turtle and an Introduced Gecko
RICHARD FRANZ; C. KENNETH DODD, JR AND DONALD W. BUDEN

Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611

National Ecology Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
412 N.E. 16th Avenue, Room 250, Gainesville, Florida 32601

Department of Natural Sciences, Northern State University,
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401

ABSTRACT
We observed 18 taxa of amphibians and reptiles on three trips (1990-1992) to the Exuma Islands, Bahamas. Specimens were collected from 24 islands within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and 14 islands outside the park. An introduced lizard (Hemidactylus mabouia) and a freshwater turtle (Trachemys sp. hybrid) are reported for the first time from the island chain. We compared morphological features of the Exuma turtles with other West Indian species and propose that they are a hybrid resulting from previous introductions.


Updated: 29 Mar 13