RECORDS OF Sauromalus ater (DUMÉRIL, 1856) HATCHLINGS AND SUBADULTS ON SAN FRANCISCO ISLAND, GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MÉXICO

Resumen

Six hatchlings of the Common or Sonoran Desert Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) ranging from 60 mm to 93 mm (SVL) as well as 10 subadult individuals (mostly ♀) ranging from 110 mm to 146 mm (SVL) were recorded during three casual walks on the small island San Francisco, Baja California Sur, Gulf of California, México, in January and February, 2019. The presence of these hatchlings and subadult females could be an important sign of chuckwallas’ recovery and of continued population’s recruitment following eradication of feral cats and goats from the island in 1999 and 2000 respectively, and despite the intense presence of humans (fishermen and tourists) on the island. The chuckwalla population seems to be growing and becoming conspicuous on San Francisco after almost two decades of rare and infrequent records of individuals. Also, the vegetation shows more abundance and diversity, and more extensive covering than in previous years. Other vertebrate species, like the Baja California Rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo) and the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) were recorded as well during the walks. All these observations possibly indicate a whole and progressive biota restoration on this tiny island after devastation by invasive fauna, combined with previous good wet years.