Abstract
Invasive species have been recognised as an important hazard to native communities. Amongst the mitigation measures that have been proposed to confront biological invasions, eradication projects are certainly the most drastic. In this short communication, a successful eradication project against a recently established population of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcissiculus) in Athens, Greece, is reported. To this aim, the Hellenic Herpetological Society received unforeseen aid from stray cats and, possibly, from the Οcellated skink (Chalcidesocellatus) and vegetation growth. Within three years, the initial thriving P.siculus population has shrunk to very few individuals.
Highlights
Invasive species are acknowledged as one of the most serious threats to global biodiversity (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)
Its native distribution spreads through the Italian peninsula, Sicily and the north Adriatic coast. This species is notorious for its high colonising potential; besides Europe, so far, P. siculus has established several thriving populations on three continents – Africa, Asia and North America (Corti et al 2011; Kolbe et al 2013; Donihue et al 2014)
In Europe, the species expanded its distribution to southern France, Spain, Portugal, European Turkey and many Mediterranean islands (Crnobrnja-Isailovic et al 2009)
Summary
Invasive species are acknowledged as one of the most serious threats to global biodiversity (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Key Words cat predation, invasive, Italian wall lizard, urban biodiversity Chloe Adamopoulou & Panayiotis Pafilis: Decline of an invasive lizard population in Greece may menace other lizards in more direct ways, such as hybridisation (Capula 1993, 2002), behavioural interference (Downes and Bauwens 2002) or even predation (Cattaneo 2005; Capula and Aloise 2011).
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