Vega-Ross, Maraliz

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    Movement, habitat use and diet of an invasive snake, boa constrictor (boidae), in Puerto Rico
    (2018) Vega-Ross, Maraliz; Bird-Picó, Fernando J.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Puente-Rolón, Alberto R.; Santos Flores, Carlos J.; Reed, Robert N.; Department of Biology; Zapata-Medina, Rocío
    Invasive species are the second threat to biodiversity. Studies have suggested that along with other variables, lack of predators, numerous offspring production, body size and prey availability are some of the reasons for non-native species successful establishment. Boa constrictor is very common in the illegal exotic animal pet trade and it is believed that accidental and/or intentional releases of this non-native snake into novel environments has caused the establishment of B. constrictor populations out of its native range. In Puerto Rico there is a population of B. constrictor is established at Mayaguez, on the west side of the Island. I studied movement and habitat use, using radio telemetry to track the snakes. A total of six snakes were radio tracked and for every location, movement patterns, home range area and habitat description were estimated. In addition, I determined sexual dimorphism, body condition and studied the diet of the B. constrictor using direct diet description and stable isotopes ratios. The mean total distance moved for all snakes was 431 m (SD= ±335.91), while mean daily movement every time they were located was 51.62 m (SD= ±27.19). The average activity range of this species in Puerto Rico for almost three months was 5730.72 m2 (SD= ±4824.80). Snakes were more frequently located on forest edges than in forest. Analysis of habitat use determined a significant selection of habitats with larger rocks, understory trees with how height but bigger DBH, and less shrub coverage when compared with the surrounding available habitat. These data suggest that the habitat selection and movement of B. constrictor may be influenced by thermoregulatory needs and possibly by prey availability (not measured in this study). Sexual dimorphism in snout to vent length was not detected, but males had a significant longer tail than females. B. constrictor seem to have a good foraging success but they are more corpulent compared to the Puerto Rican boa (Chilabothrus inornatus) . Both sexes of B. constrictor seem to feed mainly upon mammals in Puerto Rico as determined by stable isotopes signals of their muscles. Further studies should be done characterizing thermoregulation sites and prey population, to better understand the biology of this non- native invasive snake in its new established environment.