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)

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: A new species ofIguanaLaurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Iguanidae) in Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada (Southern Lesser Antilles) and its implications for the taxonomy of the genusIguana

10.1101/466128 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michel Breuil ◽

Barbara Vuillaume ◽

David Schikorski ◽

Ulrike Krauss ◽

Matthew N. Morton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Lesser Antilles ◽

Pet Trade ◽

Iguana Iguana ◽

Old Adults ◽

Island Populations ◽

The Common ◽

Saint Lucia ◽

High Median ◽

A New Species

AbstractThe Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genusIguanaLaurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguanaIguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the common green iguanaIguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations ofIguana iguanaand those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes a third speciesIguana insularissp. nov. from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. The new species is 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; Colour of head, body and tail changing from green to pale grey or creamy white in old adults; Vertical black stripes on body and tail, fading with age in some populations. This paper furthermore distinguishes two subspecies:Iguana insularis insularisfrom the Grenada Bank (comprising Grenada and the Grenadine islands), andIguana insularis sanctaluciaefrom Saint Lucia. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. 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. iguanaandI. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebredIguana insularissp. nov. throughout its range and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies ofIguanain the Lesser Antilles.

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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

10.1101/2020.02.04.933598 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthijs P. van den Burg ◽

Steven M. Van Belleghem ◽

Christina N. De Jesús Villanueva

Keyword(s):

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Early Stage ◽

The Philippines ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Pet Trade ◽

Iguana Iguana ◽

Green Iguana ◽

The Common ◽

And Control

AbstractThe 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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A survey of recent introduction events, spread and mitigation efforts of mynas (Acridotheres sp.) in Spain and Portugal

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.32800/abc.2015.38.0121 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 121-127

Author(s):

S. Saavedra ◽

◽

A. Maraver ◽

J. D. Anadón ◽

J. L. Tella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Survey ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Breeding Population ◽

Island Populations ◽

Common Myna ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Preventive Actions ◽

Acridotheres Tristis ◽

The Common ◽

Exponential Population Growth

The common myna Acridotheres tristis is listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. We combined previous records with a field survey to update the extent and fate of myna introductions in Spain and Portugal. Results suggest that there have been at least 22 independent accidental introductions of three myna species throughout the Iberian peninsula and three archipelagos since the early 1990s. While bank mynas (A. ginginianus) did not become established elsewhere, common mynas reached breeding populations on four islands. Eradication efforts allowed the extirpation of these breeding island populations, but common mynas continue to breed in the Tagus Estuary (continental Portugal). In this region, there is also a breeding population of crested mynas (A. cristatellus), which was undergone an exponential population growth in the last decade. To avoid further accidental introductions, eradication campaigns should be combined with preventive actions aiming to stop the trade of these species in Europe.

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Selective absorption of carotenoids in the common green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology ◽

10.1016/s1095-6433(02)00098-3 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 513-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Jens Raila ◽

Annette Schuhmacher ◽

Jürgen Gropp ◽

Florian J. Schweigert

Keyword(s):

Selective Absorption ◽

Iguana Iguana ◽

Green Iguana ◽

The Common

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Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.926.48679 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 926 ◽

pp. 95-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michel Breuil ◽

David Schikorski ◽

Barbara Vuillaume ◽

Ulrike Krauss ◽

Matthew N. Morton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central America ◽

Anterior Part ◽

Black Spot ◽

Virgin Islands ◽

Lesser Antilles ◽

Pet Trade ◽

Iguana Iguana ◽

Body Coloration ◽

Microsatellite Alleles ◽

A New Species

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguanaIguana delicatissima, which is endemic to the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles, the introduced common iguana from South America, Iguana iguana iguana, represented also by the two newly described endemic subspecies Iguana iguana sanctaluciae from Saint Lucia and Iguana iguana insularis from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, and the introduced Iguana rhinolopha from Central America. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes the Iguana populations from Saba and Montserrat as a new species, Iguana melanoderma. This species is recognized on the basis of the following combination of characteristics: private microsatellite alleles, unique mitochondrial ND4 haplotypes, a distinctive black spot between the eye and tympanum, a dorsal carpet pattern on juveniles and young adults, a darkening of body coloration with aging (except for the anterior part of the snout), a black dewlap, pink on the jowl, the high number of large tubercular nape scales, fewer than ten medium sized–triangular dewlap spikes, high dorsal spikes, and lack of horns on the snout. This new melanistic taxon is threatened by unsustainable harvesting (including for the pet trade) and both competition and hybridization from escaped or released invasive alien iguanas (I. iguana iguana and I. rhinolopha) from South and Central America, respectively. The authors call for action to conserve Iguana melanoderma in Saba and Montserrat and for further research to investigate its relationship to other melanistic iguanas from the Virgin Islands and coastal islands of Venezuela.

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March of the Green Iguana

Reptiles & Amphibians ◽

10.17161/randa.v19i3.14532 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 150-160

Author(s):

Wilfredo Falcón ◽

James D. Ackerman ◽

Curtis C. Daehler

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Environmental Data ◽

Lesser Antilles ◽

Caribbean Basin ◽

Pet Trade ◽

Green Iguana ◽

Central Florida ◽

Green Iguanas

Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana L. 1758) have been introduced outside their native range largely through the pet trade. In many places, exotic populations have invaded and many have become established. Of special concern is the Greater Caribbean Basin, where several exotic populations of Green Iguanas have had a negative impact, and may threaten the conservation of several native species, including possible native and distinct forms of I. iguana in the Lesser Antilles, and the endangered Lesser Antilles Iguana (I. delicatissima Laurenti 1768). We assessed the risk of spread and invasion by Green Iguanas in the Greater Caribbean Basin using the maximum entropy niche-modeling algorithm (MaxEnt) to predict the potential distribution of this reptile. We used a total of 187 location points that represented occurrences from both the native and the invasive range, coupled with environmental data as predictor variables. Our model had average training and test AUC values of 0.90 and 0.87 respectively, indicating a high predictive ability. The model predicts suitable conditions for I. iguana in south and central Florida (mainly along the coast), and in regions of all the islands in the Caribbean. Given the known negative impact of Green Iguanas and their dispersal capabilities, governments in the Greater Caribbean Basin should manage non-native populations to prevent further spread, and revise and enact laws that allow management agencies to respond quickly in the case of new Green Iguana incursions.

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