Biological Invasions

Oriol Lapiedra

Behaviour & Evolution

Biological
Invasions

"Since the early 2000s, the introduction of an invasive snake species to Ibiza has caused the near-extinction of its endemic lizard and significant disruptions to the island's ecosystem. This project investigates the ecological impact of this predator, exploring how it has altered the island's biodiversity and ecological balance."

What
happened?

Ibiza, a predator-free island, experienced a dramatic ecological shift starting in the early 2000s with the introduction of the invasive Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). This rapidly spreading predator has decimated populations of the island’s endemic Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pytiusensis), driving them to near extinction. The presence of this invasive snake has not only threatened the survival of the lizards but has also triggered significant changes in the behavior, cognition, and morphology of the native species. These changes reflect a rapid evolutionary response to predation pressure, altering the ecological dynamics of the island.

In this project, we investigate the ecological and evolutionary consequences of this invasion, examining how both predator and prey are evolving in response to these novel environmental challenges, and the broader impacts on ecosystem functioning.

Major Questions

01. How does the rapid invasion of the Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) impact the behavior and morphology of Ibiza wall lizards (Podarcis pytiusensis), and what are the ecological and evolutionary consequences of these changes?

02. What is the genetic basis of the phenotypic shifts observed in both the endemic lizards and invasive snakes in response to changing predation pressures?

03. How does increased predation risk, due to the snake invasion, affect the cognitive abilities of endemic lizards, specifically regarding the trade-off between learning speed and accuracy?

04. Is there a cognitive arms race between the predator (snake) and prey (lizard), and how do the cognitive abilities of each influence their interactions and survival strategies?

05. What are the broader ecosystem consequences of the snake invasion, particularly in terms of the role of Ibiza wall lizards in prey consumption, pollination, and plant dispersal?

Major Findings

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Why this works
matters?

This research is crucial for understanding how rapid environmental changes, such as the introduction of invasive species, drive evolutionary processes in real-time. By studying the impact of the Horseshoe whip snake on Ibiza’s endemic lizards, we can gain insights into how species adapt—or fail to adapt—to new predators in a rapidly changing world. This work not only contributes to evolutionary ecology but also has important implications for conservation, ecosystem management, and predicting the resilience of island ecosystems in the face of global change. Understanding these dynamics will help us protect biodiversity and improve strategies for managing invasive species in fragile environments.