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Michel Breuil - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a story of nasal horns two new subspecies of Iguana laurenti 1768 squamata iguanidae in saint lucia st vincent amp the grenadines and grenada southern lesser antilles
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Michel Breuil, Barbara Vuillaume, Ulrike Krauss, Matthew N Morton, Pius Haynes, Elizabeth Corry, Glenroy Gaymes, Jennifer C Daltry, David Schikorski, Joanne GaymesAbstract:: The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus Iguana Laurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the Common green Iguana Iguana Iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. No subspecies are currently recognised. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana Iguana and those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes two subspecies of the Common green Iguana Iguana Iguana from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia Iguana Iguana sanctaluciae and Iguana Iguana insularis from St Vincent the Grenadines, and Grenada. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. The new subspecies are described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males. Iguana Iguana sanctaluciae has in adults vertical black stripes on body and tail and a black dewlap whereas Iguana Iguana insularis is pale grey or creamy white in adults. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive Iguanas from South and Central America (I. Iguana Iguana and I. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebred Iguana i. insularis and Iguana i. sanctaluciae ssp. nov. throughout their ranges and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles.
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a story of nasal horns two new subspecies of Iguana laurenti 1768 squamata iguanidae in saint lucia st vincent the grenadines and grenada southern lesser antilles
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Michel Breuil, Barbara Vuillaume, Ulrike Krauss, Matthew N Morton, Pius Haynes, Elizabeth Corry, Glenroy Gaymes, Jennifer C Daltry, David Schikorski, Joanne GaymesAbstract:The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus Iguana Laurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the Common green Iguana Iguana Iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. No subspecies are currently recognised. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana Iguana and those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes two subspecies of the Common green Iguana Iguana Iguana from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia Iguana Iguana sanctaluciae and Iguana Iguana insularis from St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. The new subspecies are described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males. Iguana Iguana sanctaluciae has in adults vertical black stripes on body and tail and a black dewlap whereas Iguana Iguana insularis is pale grey or creamy white in adults. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive Iguanas from South and Central America (I. Iguana Iguana and I. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebred Iguana i. insularis and Iguana i. sanctaluciae ssp. nov. throughout their ranges and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles.
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osteological differentiation of the Iguana laurenti 1768 squamata iguanidae species Iguana Iguana linnaeus 1758 and Iguana delicatissima laurenti 1768 with some comments on their hybrids
Journal of Herpetology, 2016Co-Authors: Corentin Bochaton, Ivan Ineich, Michel Breuil, Anne Tresset, Sandrine Grouard, Salvador BailonAbstract:Abstract The origins of the two Iguana species (Iguana delicatissima [Lesser Antillean Iguana] and Iguana Iguana [Green Iguana]) occurring today in the Lesser Antilles are frequently questioned using mostly historical and genetic data. Osteological remains of Iguanas are common in archaeological and paleontological deposits in the Lesser Antilles, however, and they could be important for understanding the past colonization processes of these two Iguana species and subsequent sympatry. Unfortunately, although numerous questions exist about the past occurrence of those two species and their respective arrival dates, no osteological study has led to proper identification of subfossil Iguana skeletal elements. Here we present a series of characters that allow for distinguishing the two species using isolated bones and emphasize the reliability of each recognized specific character. We also provide some comments about skeletal morphology of hybrids between both species and their identification based on osteology.
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genetic evidence of hybridization between the endangered native species Iguana delicatissima and the invasive Iguana Iguana reptilia iguanidae in the lesser antilles management implications
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Barbara Vuillaume, Victorien Valette, Olivier Lepais, Frederic Grandjean, Michel BreuilAbstract:The worldwide increase of hybridization in different groups is thought to have become more important with the loss of isolating barriers and the introduction of invasive species. This phenomenon could result in the extinction of endemic species. This study aims at investigating the hybridization dynamics between the endemic and threatened Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) and the invasive common green Iguana (Iguana Iguana) in the Lesser Antilles, as well as assessing the impact of interspecific hybridization on the decline of I. delicatissima. 59 I. delicatissima (5 localities), 47 I. Iguana (12 localities) and 27 hybrids (5 localities), who were all identified based on morphological characters, have been genotyped at 15 microsatellites markers. We also sequenced hybrids using ND4 mitochondrial loci to further investigate mitochondrial introgression. The genetic clustering of species and hybrid genetic assignment were performed using a comparative approach, through the implementation of a Discriminant Analysis of Principal Component (DAPC) based on statistics, as well as genetic clustering approaches based on the genetic models of several populations (Structure, NewHybrids and HIest), in order to get full characterization of hybridization patterns and introgression dynamics across the islands. The Iguanas identified as hybrids in the wild, thanks to morphological analysis, were all genetically F1, F2, or backcrosses. A high proportion of individuals were also the result of a longer-term admixture. The absence of reproductive barriers between species leads to hybridization when species are in contact. Yet morphological and behavioral differences between species could explain why males I. Iguana may dominate I. delicatissima, thus resulting in short-term species displacement and extinction by hybridization and recurrent introgression from I. Iguana toward I. delicatissima. As a consequence, I. delicatissima gets eliminated through introgression, as observed in recent population history over several islands. These results have profound implications for species management of the endangered I. delicatissima and practical conservation recommendations are being discussed in the light of these findings.
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caracterisation morphologique de l iguane commun Iguana Iguana linnaeus 1758 de l iguane des petites antilles Iguana delicatissima laurenti 1768 et de leurs hybrides
Bulletin de la Société herpétologique de France, 2013Co-Authors: Michel BreuilAbstract:Les Antilles francaises hebergent deux especes d'iguanes, l'iguane des Petites Antilles (Iguana delicatissima) et l'iguane commun (Iguana Iguana). Les donnees historiques et morphologiques montrent que l'iguane commun est arrive aux Saintes a partir du milieu du XIX e siecle lors d'echanges de bagnards avec la Guyane. Cette espece a ete transportee ensuite volontairement en Basse-Terre a la fin des annees 1950 et en Martinique dans les annees 1960. Elle a ensuite ete introduite a Saint-Martin. L'installation de l'iguane commun a conduit a l'hybridation entre les deux especes et a l'elimination de l'iguane des Petites Antilles des Saintes et de Grande-Terre. En Basse-Terre, toutes les populations d'I. delicatissima sont maintenant colonisees par l'iguane commun et leurs hybrides. Des iguanes communs echappes de captivite ont envahi Saint-Martin debut 2000 et sont arrives par la suite a Saint-Barthelemy ou l'hybridation a demarre. Les deux especes se differencient l'une de l'autre par plus de 15 caracteres dont la plupart n'ont pas ete reconnues jusqu'a la presente etude. L'iguane commun present en Guadeloupe et en Martinique (Iguana Iguana Iguana) se distingue tres bien des iguanes d'Amerique centrale (Iguana Iguana rhinolopha) et de ceux des iles de Sainte-Lucie et Saba dont les caracteristiques qui les differencient des iguanes communs continentaux sont indiquees pour la premiere fois. La morphologie des hybrides est decrite. Ces hybrides sont tres divers et montrent clairement que les individus F1 sont fertiles produisant une introgression engendrant progressivement la disparition d'Iguana delicatissima.
Andrew A Biewener - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mechanics of limb bone loading during terrestrial locomotion in the green Iguana Iguana Iguana and american alligator alligator mississippiensis
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:In vivo measurements of strain in the femur and tibia of Iguana Iguana (Linnaeus) and Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin) have indicated three ways in which limb bone loading in these species differs from patterns observed in most birds and mammals: (i) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis experience substantial torsion, (ii) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis have higher safety factors than those of birds or mammals, and (iii) load magnitudes in the limb bones of A. mississippiensis do not decrease uniformly with the use of a more upright posture. To verify these patterns, and to evaluate the ground and muscle forces that produce them, we collected three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data from subadult I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis using a force platform and high-speed video. The results of these force/kinematic studies generally confirm the loading regimes inferred from in vivo strain measurements. The ground reaction force applies a torsional moment to the femur and tibia in both species; for the femur, this moment augments the moment applied by the caudofemoralis muscle, suggesting large torsional stresses. In most cases, safety factors in bending calculated from force/video data are lower than those determined from strain data, but are
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mechanics of limb bone loading during terrestrial locomotion in the green Iguana Iguana Iguana and american alligator alligator mississippiensis
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:In vivo measurements of strain in the femur and tibia of Iguana Iguana (Linnaeus) and Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin) have indicated three ways in which limb bone loading in these species differs from patterns observed in most birds and mammals: (i) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis experience substantial torsion, (ii) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis have higher safety factors than those of birds or mammals, and (iii) load magnitudes in the limb bones of A. mississippiensis do not decrease uniformly with the use of a more upright posture. To verify these patterns, and to evaluate the ground and muscle forces that produce them, we collected three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data from subadult I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis using a force platform and high-speed video. The results of these force/kinematic studies generally confirm the loading regimes inferred from in vivo strain measurements. The ground reaction force applies a torsional moment to the femur and tibia in both species; for the femur, this moment augments the moment applied by the caudofemoralis muscle, suggesting large torsional stresses. In most cases, safety factors in bending calculated from force/video data are lower than those determined from strain data, but are as high or higher than the safety factors of bird and mammal limb bones in bending. Finally, correlations between limb posture and calculated stress magnitudes in the femur of I. Iguana confirm patterns observed during direct bone strain recordings from A. mississippiensis: in more upright steps, tensile stresses on the anterior cortex decrease, but peak compressive stresses on the dorsal cortex increase. Equilibrium analyses indicate that bone stress increases as posture becomes more upright in saurians because the ankle and knee extensor muscles exert greater forces during upright locomotion. If this pattern of increased bone stress with the use of a more upright posture is typical of taxa using non-parasagittal kinematics, then similar increases in load magnitudes were probably experienced by lineages that underwent evolutionary shifts to a non-sprawling posture. High limb bone safety factors and small body size in these lineages could have helped to accommodate such increases in limb bone stress.
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in vivo locomotor strain in the hindlimb bones of alligator mississippiensis and Iguana Iguana implications for the evolution of limb bone safety factor and non sprawling limb posture
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 1999Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:Limb postures of terrestrial tetrapods span a continuum from sprawling to fully upright; however, most experimental investigations of locomotor mechanics have focused on mammals and ground-dwelling birds that employ parasagittal limb kinematics, leaving much of the diversity of tetrapod locomotor mechanics unexplored. This study reports measurements of in vivo locomotor strain from the limb bones of lizard ( Iguana Iguana) and crocodilian (Alligator mississippiensis) species, animals from previously unsampled phylogenetic lineages with nonparasagittal limb posture and kinematics. Principal strain orientations and shear strain magnitudes indicate that the limb bones of these species experience considerable torsion during locomotion. This contrasts with patterns commonly observed in mammals, but matches predictions from kinematic observations of axial rotation in lizard and crocodilian limbs. Comparisons of locomotor load magnitudes with the mechanical properties of limb bones in Alligator and Iguana indicate that limb bone safety factors in bending for these species range from 5.5 to 10.8, as much as twice as high as safety factors previously calculated for mammals and birds. Limb bone safety factors in shear (3.9‐5.4) for Alligator and Iguana are also moderately higher than safety factors to yield in bending for birds and mammals. Finally, correlations between limb posture and strain magnitudes in Alligator show that at some recording locations limb bone strains can increase during upright locomotion, in contrast to expectations based on size-correlated changes in posture among mammals that limb bone strains should decrease with the use of an upright posture. These data suggest that, in some lineages, strain magnitudes may not have been maintained at constant levels through the evolution of a non-sprawling posture unless the postural change was accompanied by a shift to parasagittal kinematics or by an evolutionary decrease in body size.
Mark E. Welch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered lesser antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima squamata iguanidae
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019Co-Authors: Aryeh H Miller, Mark E. Welch, Matthijs P Van Den Burg, Charles R Knapp, Anna C Jackson, Graham R ReynoldsAbstract:The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti 1768, is one of the most endangered vertebrate taxa in the West Indies. This species faces significant threats, including introgressive hy...
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the lesser antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima on st eustatius genetically depauperate and threatened by ongoing hybridization
Journal of Heredity, 2018Co-Authors: Matthijs P Van Den Burg, Mark E. Welch, Patrick G Meirmans, Timothy P Van Wagensveld, Bart Kluskens, Hannah Madden, J A J BreeuwerAbstract:: The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with non-native Green Iguanas (Iguana Iguana). Iguana delicatissima has been extirpated on several islands, and the Green Iguana has invaded most islands with extant populations. Information is essential to protect this species from extinction. We collected data on 293 Iguanas including 17 juveniles from St. Eustasius, one of the few remaining I. delicatissima strongholds. Genetic data were leveraged to test for hybridization presence with the Green Iguana using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, including 16 microsatellite loci. The microsatellites were also analyzed to estimate genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size. Using molecular and morphological data, we identified 286 I. delicatissima individuals captured during our first fieldwork effort, and 7 non-native Iguanas captured during a second effort, showing hybridization occurs within this population. Comparing homologous microsatellites used in studies on Dominica and Chancel, the I. delicatissima population on St. Eustatius has extremely low genetic diversity (HO = 0.051; HE = 0.057), suggesting this population is genetically depauperate. Furthermore, there is significant evidence for inbreeding (FIS = 0.12) and weak spatial genetic structure (FST = 0.021, P = 0.002) within this population. Besides immediate threats including hybridization, this population's low genetic diversity, presence of physiological abnormalities and low recruitment could indicate presence of inbreeding depression that threatens its long-term survival. We conclude there is a continued region-wide threat to I. delicatissima and highlight the need for immediate conservation action to stop the continuing spread of Green Iguanas and to eliminate hybridization from St. Eustatius.
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First evidence for crossbreeding between invasive Iguana Iguana and the native rock Iguana (Genus Cyclura) on Little Cayman Island
Biological Invasions, 2018Co-Authors: Jeanette B. Moss, Mark E. Welch, Michael V. Vallee, Edward W. Houlcroft, Tanja Laaser, Frederic J Burton, Glenn P. GerberAbstract:Green Iguanas ( Iguana Iguana ) are invasive throughout the West Indies and co-occur on several islands with native rock Iguanas (Genus Cyclura ). In August 2016, three hybrid hatchlings were captured on Little Cayman Island, providing the first evidence for a successful crossbreeding event between I. Iguana and any Cyclura rock Iguana species in the wild. Hybrid status was confirmed with morphological and genetic character analysis. This discovery prompts new concerns for biosecurity in the Caribbean.
Richard W Blob - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mechanics of limb bone loading during terrestrial locomotion in the green Iguana Iguana Iguana and american alligator alligator mississippiensis
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:In vivo measurements of strain in the femur and tibia of Iguana Iguana (Linnaeus) and Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin) have indicated three ways in which limb bone loading in these species differs from patterns observed in most birds and mammals: (i) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis experience substantial torsion, (ii) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis have higher safety factors than those of birds or mammals, and (iii) load magnitudes in the limb bones of A. mississippiensis do not decrease uniformly with the use of a more upright posture. To verify these patterns, and to evaluate the ground and muscle forces that produce them, we collected three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data from subadult I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis using a force platform and high-speed video. The results of these force/kinematic studies generally confirm the loading regimes inferred from in vivo strain measurements. The ground reaction force applies a torsional moment to the femur and tibia in both species; for the femur, this moment augments the moment applied by the caudofemoralis muscle, suggesting large torsional stresses. In most cases, safety factors in bending calculated from force/video data are lower than those determined from strain data, but are
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mechanics of limb bone loading during terrestrial locomotion in the green Iguana Iguana Iguana and american alligator alligator mississippiensis
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:In vivo measurements of strain in the femur and tibia of Iguana Iguana (Linnaeus) and Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin) have indicated three ways in which limb bone loading in these species differs from patterns observed in most birds and mammals: (i) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis experience substantial torsion, (ii) the limb bones of I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis have higher safety factors than those of birds or mammals, and (iii) load magnitudes in the limb bones of A. mississippiensis do not decrease uniformly with the use of a more upright posture. To verify these patterns, and to evaluate the ground and muscle forces that produce them, we collected three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data from subadult I. Iguana and A. mississippiensis using a force platform and high-speed video. The results of these force/kinematic studies generally confirm the loading regimes inferred from in vivo strain measurements. The ground reaction force applies a torsional moment to the femur and tibia in both species; for the femur, this moment augments the moment applied by the caudofemoralis muscle, suggesting large torsional stresses. In most cases, safety factors in bending calculated from force/video data are lower than those determined from strain data, but are as high or higher than the safety factors of bird and mammal limb bones in bending. Finally, correlations between limb posture and calculated stress magnitudes in the femur of I. Iguana confirm patterns observed during direct bone strain recordings from A. mississippiensis: in more upright steps, tensile stresses on the anterior cortex decrease, but peak compressive stresses on the dorsal cortex increase. Equilibrium analyses indicate that bone stress increases as posture becomes more upright in saurians because the ankle and knee extensor muscles exert greater forces during upright locomotion. If this pattern of increased bone stress with the use of a more upright posture is typical of taxa using non-parasagittal kinematics, then similar increases in load magnitudes were probably experienced by lineages that underwent evolutionary shifts to a non-sprawling posture. High limb bone safety factors and small body size in these lineages could have helped to accommodate such increases in limb bone stress.
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in vivo locomotor strain in the hindlimb bones of alligator mississippiensis and Iguana Iguana implications for the evolution of limb bone safety factor and non sprawling limb posture
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 1999Co-Authors: Richard W Blob, Andrew A BiewenerAbstract:Limb postures of terrestrial tetrapods span a continuum from sprawling to fully upright; however, most experimental investigations of locomotor mechanics have focused on mammals and ground-dwelling birds that employ parasagittal limb kinematics, leaving much of the diversity of tetrapod locomotor mechanics unexplored. This study reports measurements of in vivo locomotor strain from the limb bones of lizard ( Iguana Iguana) and crocodilian (Alligator mississippiensis) species, animals from previously unsampled phylogenetic lineages with nonparasagittal limb posture and kinematics. Principal strain orientations and shear strain magnitudes indicate that the limb bones of these species experience considerable torsion during locomotion. This contrasts with patterns commonly observed in mammals, but matches predictions from kinematic observations of axial rotation in lizard and crocodilian limbs. Comparisons of locomotor load magnitudes with the mechanical properties of limb bones in Alligator and Iguana indicate that limb bone safety factors in bending for these species range from 5.5 to 10.8, as much as twice as high as safety factors previously calculated for mammals and birds. Limb bone safety factors in shear (3.9‐5.4) for Alligator and Iguana are also moderately higher than safety factors to yield in bending for birds and mammals. Finally, correlations between limb posture and strain magnitudes in Alligator show that at some recording locations limb bone strains can increase during upright locomotion, in contrast to expectations based on size-correlated changes in posture among mammals that limb bone strains should decrease with the use of an upright posture. These data suggest that, in some lineages, strain magnitudes may not have been maintained at constant levels through the evolution of a non-sprawling posture unless the postural change was accompanied by a shift to parasagittal kinematics or by an evolutionary decrease in body size.
Matthijs P Van Den Burg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the march of the common green Iguana Iguana Iguana early establishment in singapore and thailand is facilitated by the pet trade and recreational parks
bioRxiv, 2020Co-Authors: Matthijs P Van Den Burg, Steven M Van Belleghem, Christina N De Jesus VillanuevaAbstract:The popularity of the Common Green Iguana (Iguana Iguana) as a pet has contributed to its global occurrence as an invasive alien species. Early detection and control of invasive alien I. Iguana populations is necessary to prevent the need for large and financially demanding eradication actions. Here, we collated information from digital footage and interviews regarding sightings of free roaming I. Iguana specimens in Singapore and Thailand, and present evidence of early-stage invasions and establishment. Using species distribution modeling, we find that large parts of Thailand and neighboring countries have suitable habitat, which could facilitate the expansion of these alien populations if left uncontrolled. Additionally, we report singular I. Iguana sightings in Hong Kong and Peninsular Malaysia. We call for awareness of alien I. Iguana in the Philippines due to the high number of pet Iguanas and reported CITES importations as well as the availability of suitable habitat throughout the archipelago. Further, we identify I. Iguana presence to be facilitated by the release of pet-traded specimens and uncontrolled exhibition practices in recreational parks. We provide recommendations for implementing monitoring and eradication efforts and strategy recommendations to halt future spread and release.
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the complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered lesser antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima squamata iguanidae
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019Co-Authors: Aryeh H Miller, Mark E. Welch, Matthijs P Van Den Burg, Charles R Knapp, Anna C Jackson, Graham R ReynoldsAbstract:The Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima Laurenti 1768, is one of the most endangered vertebrate taxa in the West Indies. This species faces significant threats, including introgressive hy...
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the lesser antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima on st eustatius genetically depauperate and threatened by ongoing hybridization
Journal of Heredity, 2018Co-Authors: Matthijs P Van Den Burg, Mark E. Welch, Patrick G Meirmans, Timothy P Van Wagensveld, Bart Kluskens, Hannah Madden, J A J BreeuwerAbstract:: The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with non-native Green Iguanas (Iguana Iguana). Iguana delicatissima has been extirpated on several islands, and the Green Iguana has invaded most islands with extant populations. Information is essential to protect this species from extinction. We collected data on 293 Iguanas including 17 juveniles from St. Eustasius, one of the few remaining I. delicatissima strongholds. Genetic data were leveraged to test for hybridization presence with the Green Iguana using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, including 16 microsatellite loci. The microsatellites were also analyzed to estimate genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size. Using molecular and morphological data, we identified 286 I. delicatissima individuals captured during our first fieldwork effort, and 7 non-native Iguanas captured during a second effort, showing hybridization occurs within this population. Comparing homologous microsatellites used in studies on Dominica and Chancel, the I. delicatissima population on St. Eustatius has extremely low genetic diversity (HO = 0.051; HE = 0.057), suggesting this population is genetically depauperate. Furthermore, there is significant evidence for inbreeding (FIS = 0.12) and weak spatial genetic structure (FST = 0.021, P = 0.002) within this population. Besides immediate threats including hybridization, this population's low genetic diversity, presence of physiological abnormalities and low recruitment could indicate presence of inbreeding depression that threatens its long-term survival. We conclude there is a continued region-wide threat to I. delicatissima and highlight the need for immediate conservation action to stop the continuing spread of Green Iguanas and to eliminate hybridization from St. Eustatius.
