Habitat suitability for conservation translocation: The importance of considering camouflage in cryptic species

Abstract

Habitat suitability is a critical aspect for the successful establishment of a translocated population. Past studies have identified multiple factors that contribute to habitat suitability, including resource availability, presence of invasive species, landscape connectivity and climate. However, visual camouflage – coloration that conceals individuals from predators or prey – is another important ecological requirement that has been largely overlooked. We provide a case study to illustrate how color patterns of a prey species can change from that of the source site following translocation. Shore skinks (Oligosoma smithi) were moved from a coastal sand dune ecosystem to an offshore island be..