Potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across the Galápagos Islands

Research reveals that Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) may play a significant but modest role as pollinators across the archipelago. Over three years, 8.4% of 296 sampled lizards carried pollen from at least 10 plant species, including both native and non-introduced plants, across seven lizard species and eight islands. While less dominant than birds or insects, this interaction suggests ecological importance for specific plants and ecosystems, particularly given the islands' diverse climates and functional traits.

HERVÍAS‐PAREJO, S., NOGALES, M., GUZMÁN, B., TRIGO, M. d. M., OLESEN, J. M., VARGAS, P., HELENO, R., & TRAVESET, A. (2020). Potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across the Galápagos Islands. Integrative Zoology, 15(2), 144–148. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12386