Alien lizard threatens ecological balance here

The lined lizards, known simply as skinks or by the species name mabuya multifasciata, are spreading to the central and eastern parts of the island from the south where they were first discovered in 1992, according to studies released recently by the Endemic Species Research Institutes (ESRI).

In 2001, ESRI researchers discovered during field surveys that the intruder had spread to Pingtung and Tainan counties after being first spotted in Kaohsiung nine years earlier, ESRI researcher Lin Teh-en said.

Five years later, the alien skinks were found building their colonies in Tainan, Chiayi and Yunlin counties, Lin said, warning that the species may soon spread to other parts of the island and even to Orchid Island and Green Island off Taiwan’s southeastern coast because of their unique adaptability.

Lin pointed out that unlike native lizards, the lined skinks do not need to hibernate because of their stronger resistance to cold weather.

That allows the reptile to breed in every season, and once they intrude into places inhabited by native lizards and skinks, such as the Formosa smooth skink and Formosa grass lizard, they are able to expel or wipe out the locals, Lin said.

The institute recently discovered a possible victim of the alien skinks’ invasion. An ESRI report noted that it is getting difficult to spot the coastal skink, known as emoia atrocostata, in its normal habitat, the rocky shorelines of southern and eastern Taiwan.

Instead, there are many signs of the alien skinks’ presence in the coastal areas, the ESRI said.

It warned that the local species is facing a threat from the outsiders, but said it was not clear what could be done to help the coastal skink because not much is known about its biological characteristics.

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