Fauna of Barbados

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Now synonymous with Barbadian Fauna, the Green monkey is actually native to West Africa.

The Fauna of Barbados is less diverse than that of other Caribbean islands. The island's fauna has been greatly affected by anthropogenic activities; these range from habitat destruction to the introduction of non-native species. Species best able to adapt to the presence of Humans have persisted, while those unable to adapt have generally fared poorly.

1 Vertebrates
2 Mammals
3 Birds
4 Reptiles
5 Amphibians
6 Freshwater Fish
7 Invertebrates
8 References

[edit] Vertebrates

[edit] Mammals

The Barbados Raccoon may have been a subspecies of the Common Raccoon, pictured here.

Mammals are a poorly represented group on the island, composed almost entirely of introduced species^[1]. The Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus), House Mouse (Mus musculus), European Hare (Lepus europaeus), Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), and Green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) are the most notable examples. Pigs were introduced by the Portuguese in 1563 as a future food source; the introduction was succesful and a feral pig population persisted up until the point of British settlement of the island, after which they became extirpated. ^[2]

The now extinct Barbados Raccoon (Procyon gloveralleni) is considered to have been endemic to the island; however even this species may have been introduced by Amerindians in pre-historic times^[3]. There is also some indication that the Barbados Raccoon was in fact a subspecies of the Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor), rather than a distinct species^[4].

The only remaining native mammals are a number of bat species ^[5]; the most common of which is the Velvety Free-tailed Bat (Molossus molossus)^[6], which emerges at dusk to feed on insects.

Feral Dogs and Cats, introduced by Humans, also occur on the island.

[edit] Birds

A Gray Kingbird

Birds are fairly well represented on the island; most having adapted well to the presence of humans.

Icterids such as the Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) and the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), which often parasitizes the nests of the former species, are quite common.

Seed-eating species include the Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor) and a non-sexually dimorphic subspecies of the Lesser-antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis). The Grassland Yellow Finch (Sicalis luteola), known locally as the Grass Canary, was introduced from South America and is now faced with extirpation due to poaching for the pet trade.

There are two species of Tyrant flycatcher found on the island, the Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) which is quite common; often seen perched on power lines,and the Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica) which is more rare.

Representatives of the family Columbidae include the Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita), Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina), Scaly-naped Pigeon (Columba squamosa), and the ubiquitous Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). Another species, the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata), which was previously reported as an occasional visitor to the island, may have established a breeding population^[7].

Nectar consuming species include the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) , Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus), and the Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola).

Heron species include , the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and the fairly rare Green Heron (Butorides virescens). A recent addition to the island's avifauna is the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), which has recently colonized the island from Africa^[8].

Early European visitors reported finding a species of parrot on the

The Prothonotary Warbler, a migratory visitor

island^[9], which subsequently became extinct. Currently parrots are represented by a few escaped or released individuals which have formed feral populations; most notably is a small population of the Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica) which has become established among several Roystonea palms in the Belleville district of the capital Bridgetown ^[10]. The Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax), introduced to the island, is rarely seen.

The Scaly-breasted Thrasher (Allenia fusca) may have become extirpated from the Island. A resident race of the Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia petechia) is also threatened, mostly due to loss of its mangrove swamp habitat^[11]; the last major refuge for this species is the Graeme Hall Swamp in the south of the Island, However some reports suggest the species is expanding its range on the island ^[12].

Substantial numbers of migratory birds either over-wintering on the island, or en route from North America to South American wintering grounds are seen annually^[13].

[edit] Reptiles

A Red-footed tortoise

The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) formerly resided on the island before being extirpated. A species of Anole Lizard, (Anolis extremus),and the introduced Tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) are both common species; while Underwood's Spectacled Tegu (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi)^[14],and a native species of Kentropyx Lizard (Kentropyx borckiana) are rarer on the island^[15].

The Red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) is widely kept in captivity; it was likely introduced to the island, as no reports of it were made by early European explorers to the island^[16].

A Hawksbill Turtle

Populations of an endemic Liophis Grass Snake (Liophis perfuscus) have been devastated as a result of predation by the introduced Indian Mongoose; with no confirmed sightings of the species since 1961. Another snake species, Mastigodryas bruesi and the World's smallest snake, (Leptotyphlops bilineata), have also been recorded from the island ^[17].

Currently there are two species of Sea Turtle which nest in Barbados, the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Though not nesting on the island, the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) does forage in nearshore Seagrass beds. Coastal infrastructure, such as hotel properties, has encroached upon the nesting grounds of sea turtles, while coastal lights also detrimentally impact upon nesting females.

[edit] Amphibians

A Cane Toad

The Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) from South America and a species of Eleutherodactylus (Whistling Frog) encompass the islands amphibian community^[18]. The introduction of the Cane Toad was done as a biological control aimed at insect pests of Sugar Cane^[19]; as has been the case elsewhere, lack of predators to control the Cane Toad has led to uncontrolled populations in some areas.

[edit] Freshwater Fish

Oreochromis mossambicus

The wild form of the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is native to Barbados as well as Trinidad and northern South America^[20]. Originally intended for aquaculture, Tilapia species including, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Tilapia zilli have become widely established in ponds and streams across the island^[21].