The Blue Alien: First Recorded Predation on Zosterops simplex by the Introduced Calotes mystaceus in Hong Kong

2026/06/30 by Ho Yuen Yeung, Shirley Tsz Ching Wong, Jian-Huan Yang · 1 voice
Environmental Science · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Turtle Biology and Conservation #Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses

paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/travaux.69.e192880

openalex publication_date 2026/06/30 · openalex created_date 2026/07/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/05

Abstract

This study documents the first recorded predation on Swinhoe’s White-eye ( Zosterops simplex ) by the Blue-crested lizard ( Calotes mystaceus ) in Hong Kong, where it is an introduced species. An adult female lizard was observed ingesting a nestling of Zosterops simplex in a peri-urban parkland. This observation indicates that this medium to large-sized Calotes species exhibits opportunistic feeding behaviour, suggesting a broader diet compared to the only native, smaller agamid congener, the Changeable lizard C. wangi . The potential negative impacts of this alien species on native biota are also discussed.

Discussions

• 🦎 The first recorded instance of predation on Swinhoe's White-eye by the introduced Blue-crested lizard has been documented in Hong Kong, with an adult female lizard observed consuming a nestling in [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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