Examination of color preferences of invasive green anoles in the Ogasawara Islands

Invasive green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) in the Ogasawara Islands show a strong aversion to blue, making it an effective color for fencing to restrict their movement. Behavioral experiments revealed that green anoles preferred brown over other colors, while native snake-eyed skinks (Cryptoblepharus nigropunctatus) favored red. These findings suggest that using blue Teflon™-sheet fences could reduce the transborder crossing rate of invasive anoles, while changing adhesive trap colors from red to brown may lower bycatch of native skinks. The study employed choice experiments with colored papers to assess color preferences in both species, providing actionable insights for improving eradication efforts without harming local fauna.

Hiroyama, K., & Iwai, N. (2022). Examination of color preferences of invasive green anoles in the Ogasawara Islands. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1261