Preliminary report for 2004 fieldwork on the lizard fauna of Vanuatu

Abstract

This is a preliminary report for fieldwork conducted between 27 June 2004 through 21 August 2004. During this time, I conducted research on seven islands in Vanuatu: Efate, Aneityum, Futuna, Tanna, Ambae, Pentecost, and Erromango. Lizards were collected during visual surveys during both daylight and evening hours and from a variety of habitats on each island. Although an effort was made to search all habitats, it is likely that these species list generated for each island may be incomplete due to the short duration of each survey period. Lizards were collected by hand, with the use of a blowgun, and with the assistance of local villagers. Specimens were taken only when necessary. For commonly observed species, a small number of voucher specimens was taken at each locality and the remaining individuals were released following identification. When possible, only tail tips were collected for molecular research, and lizards were subsequently released. Tissue samples were stored in 95% ethanol in the field. Specimens were field preserved using 4% formalin. Specimens collected during this field season will be transferred to 70% ethanol for storage at Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Sciences in the United States.