Island lists of West Indian amphibians and reptiles

Abstract

In collaboration with experts most familiar with specific areas within the West Indies, we set out to generate new island-by-island lists. Our reasons for doing so are fivefold: Since 1977, (1) we have found the (now outdated) island list by MacLean et al. to be a useful tool; (2) a great deal of new information on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles on West Indian islands has accumulated; (3) many new species of West Indian frogs and reptiles have been described; (4) several extirpations (or possible extinctions) have occurred; and (5) a number of species (mostly from the U.S.) have been introduced to West Indian islands and might ultimately have a deleterious impact on the native herpetofauna.