Introduction: The Importance of Lizards in Ecosystems

Lizards are an essential component of many ecosystems around the world. They play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, pollination, and seed dispersal. They also serve as a source of food for predators such as birds, snakes, and mammals. Moreover, lizards are bioindicators, which means that their presence or absence can be used to measure the health of an ecosystem. Unfortunately, many species of lizards are facing threats that are putting them at risk of extinction.

Overview of Lizard Species at Risk of Extinction

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 20% of all lizard species are at risk of extinction. Some of the most threatened species include the Jamaican iguana, the Seychelles skink, the Cuban rock iguana, and the blue-tailed skink. Habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, over-harvesting, and pollution are some of the major threats to these species. The loss of these species would have significant ecological consequences, including the loss of ecological services and the decline of biodiversity.