An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework

Mark Robert Sandfoss; Amanda Marie Kissel; Lisa Marie McBride; Matthew Fox Metcalf; Sarah Rae Sherburne; Travis R. Mangione; Matthew McCollister; Amy A. Yackel Adams

doi:10.3391/mbi.2025.16.2.15

An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework

Management of Biological Invasions

By: Mark Robert Sandfoss, Amanda Marie Kissel, Lisa Marie McBride, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Travis R. Mangione, Matthew McCollister, and Amy A. Yackel Adams

https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2025.16.2.15

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Abstract

Documentation of successful early detection rapid response (EDRR) efforts is lacking from the scientific literature but is needed to inform invasive species response protocols. The Black and White tegu (Salvator merianae) has become established in several Florida counties and its spread is of significant conservation concern. It is of high priority for state and federal managers to prevent the spread into sensitive ecosystems, including the Greater Everglades. Thus, coordinated EDRR efforts are essential given limited infrastructure and funding for such tasks. While tegus have been observed along the eastern boundary of Everglades National Park, there has been no evidence tegus are established within Big Cypress National Preserve. On 8 August 2024 an individual tegu was sighted by a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologist in Big Cypress National Preserve who alerted National Park Service (NPS) staff and mobilized a response. Live traps were placed at the location of sighting within 24 hours and an individual tegu was captured on 13 August 2024. The individual tegu was determined to be the same individual that was observed five days early based on color, pattern, and other physical characteristics. No additional tegus were captured. The rapid, coordinated response of NPS and USGS likely contributed to this successful EDRR event, and highlights the need for more expansive EDRR frameworks at multiple jurisdictional scales.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework
Series title	Management of Biological Invasions
DOI	10.3391/mbi.2025.16.2.15
Volume	16
Issue	2
Year Published	2025
Language	English
Publisher	The Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre (REABIC)
Contributing office(s)	Fort Collins Science Center
Description	11 p.
First page	581
Last page	591
Country	United States
State	Florida
Other Geospatial	south Florida