Elizabeth PennisiThe morning of 17 October 1996 started as usual for Jonathan Losos. The evolutionary biologist donned a broad hat and slathered on sunscreen, then headed by boat to several unnamed islets off Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas.
Three years earlier, he and ecologist David Spiller had introduced local lizard species there to learn how they would compete in a once lizardless place.
The pair spent the day snaring lizards, noting their exact locations, and taking stock of the insects, spiders, and vegetation.
They were worried about reports of an impending hurricane, but the locals seemed confident it would veer off and spare the islands, as usual.Not this time, however.