Reptiles of the Hall Islands, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Abstract

Thirteen species of reptiles are recorded from the Hall Islands, all but two sea turtles for the first time. None of the 11 species of lizards (six geckos, five skinks) is endemic, and most are widely distributed throughout Micronesia and often well beyond. Emoia boettgeri has the most limited range, which extends from Chuuk State in the central Caroline Islands eastward to the Marshall Islands. Emoia caeruleocauda is the most common skink, and Lepidodactylus lugubris is the most common gecko. The apparent absence of other common Micronesian species, such as Nactus pelagicus, Emoia cyanura, E. impar, and Lipinia noctua is unexpected and possibly an artifact of limited sampling. A recent incident of turtle poisoning (chelonitoxism) attributed to the consumption of hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, resulted in the death of six Murilo Atoll islanders and sickened many others.