Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks

Abstract Invasive ants are among the world’s most damaging invasive species, often directly or indirectly affecting native fauna. Insecticidal baits main method for suppressing eradicating ant populations, but their use must be considered against potential unintended effects on organisms. The yellow crazy ( Anoplolepis gracillipes ) is widespread in tropics, particularly islands, where they have displaced a range of invertebrates. Effects this vertebrates, and continental ecosystems generally, less studied. We investigated bait application rainforest skinks invertebrate prey. compared skink prey abundance across four replicated site categories: high low sites had both been baited differed activity; control never baited; buffer baited. recorded significantly lower two small species Lygisaurus laevis Saproscincus tetradactylus to all other categories. differences persisted even after baiting reduced activity by 97.8% ± 0.04% (mean SD). A larger Carlia rubrigularis was not negatively affected invasion. Skink sites, sites. These did persist following baiting. found no evidence that affects Our data suggest ants, used treat them, pose direct threat skinks.