Herpetofaunal Colonization Patterns of Atlantic Coast Barrier Islands

Abstract

This study presents information on the population and general ecology of the herpetofauna of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and compares species numbers and composition with other Atlantic Coast barrier islands. Lizards are highly successful island colonizers, whereas salamanders are exceptionally poor. Explanation for the unexpected absence from any barrier islands of certain common mainland species of reptiles and amphibians is inconclusive, although winter drought result- ing in higher salinity in freshwater habitats is suggested as an important deterrent to colonization for some species. The amount of woodland habitat, rather than island size per se, is the island feature most highly correlated with numbers of reptile or amphibian species.