Cycluralewisi) Iguanas Blue of Population Wild New a Iguana Restoring 2005

14 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 (Grand Cayman blue iguana) hatchlings. Herp Rev. Rev. Herp hatchlings. 36(2):176. iguana) blue Cayman (Grand 2005. F.J. Burton. and R.M. Goodman, Iguana tribute. a Pharaoh: 12(3):175-176. 2005. J. Ehrenberger, Entomology Vet. Med. 19:326-328. Bahamas. the parasit in Ticks reptiles 2005. izing Knapp. C.R. and L.A. Durden, Cayman. Iguana 12(3):166-174. Grand Reserve, Salina the in (Cycluralewisi) iguanas blue of population wild new a Iguana Restoring 2005. F.J. Burton, update. iguana Blue 12(2):98-99. 2005. F.J. Burton, Nacional Isla Cabritos.Iguana 12(4):256-261. Banbury, B.L. and Y.M. Ramos. The rock iguanas of Parque of Guantánamo Bay. Iguana 13(1):8-15. Alberts, A.C. 2005. Conserving the remarkable reptiles Email: [email protected] National TrustfortheCaymanIslands Fredric Burton,DeputyChair Email: [email protected] Zoological SocietyofSanDiego Allison Alberts,Co-Chair Recent Literature

15600 SanPasqualValleyRoad, Applied AnimalEcologyDivision Zoological SocietyofSanDiego

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lewisi Cyclura http://www.iucn-isg.org

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12(4): 222-233. Iguana Jaragua. Grupo the of history brief a and public Conservation of Arias. Y. and Incháustegui, S. E., Rupp, ians andReptiles (811):1-14. 2006. Iguana delicatissima. Powell. Catalogue of R. American Amphib and Breuil, M. S.A., Pasachnik, AnimalCons.8:269-278. conservation. habitat associations of a Bahamian iguana: implications for and range Home 2005. Owens. A.K. and C.R. Knapp, Iguana 12(1):9-13. iguana. Andros the save Working to 2005. C.R. Knapp, can AmphibiansandReptiles (810):1-8. Buckner. 2006. S.D. and Knapp, C.R. Pasachnik, S.A. J.B., Iverson, 39(3):402-408. iguana, Herp. J. Cayman. Grand on setting disturbed a endangered in lewisi, of ecology Burton. Spatial F.J. and 2005. Echternacht, A.C. R.M., Goodman,

Email: [email protected] Resources, PuertoRico Department ofNaturalandEnvironmental Miguel Garcia,DeputyChair Email: [email protected] Fort WorthZoo Richard Hudson,Co-Chair ylr ricordii Cyclura Allison Alberts Tandora Grant Editors: Cyclura cychlura n h suhetr Dmncn Re Dominican southwestern the in Zoological SocietyofSanDiego Applied AnimalEcology . Catalogue of Ameri- Cyclura Cyclura - -

I awareness programsthathelp The IguanaSpecialistGroup N conservation, science,and ensure thesurvivalofwild iguanas andtheirhabitats. ISG contactinformation Recent Literature Taxon Reports Iguanas intheNews News &Comments prioritizes andfacilitates

C. cychlurafigginsi C. cychlurainornata C. pinguis B. vitiensis T HIS ......

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Division ofManagement Authority @fws.gov). (bruce_weissgold the WeissgoldBruce in by coordinated be will participation USFWS Center. Zoo’sResearchNational and the and Conservation Center Conservation Oak the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, The Wilds, White selected under the joint program. The zoos participating in the program include significantly and clearly support conservation efforts. cies by identifying specific research projects, actions, and opportunities that will have pledged to work cooperatively to advance conservation of the selected spe the banner of Centers Conservation for Species Survival (C2S2) - and USFWS group of American zoos and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The zoos - under C Iguana SpecialistGroup A St. Catherines Island. The zoo’s resident pair of iguanas. The ARCC opened with a pair of Species need. Grandinclude targeted JamaicanCayman, IslandAnegada and on depending enlarged or expanded be can they that such panels removable have units indoor the units; outdoor adjacent five and units indoor ten has utilizing and iguanas rock to devoted is side One panels. roof facility acrylic transmitting UV foot 45 x 20 a is greenhouse The chelonians. and iguanas reptile greenhouse conservation will highlight the zoo’s work with endangered The primary facility houses the zoo’s outreach collection, while a state-of-the-art area of the zoo. The $1 million facility actually consists of three separate units. iguana conservation and the IIF and ISG. An iguana research unit is located is unit research iguana An ISG. and IIF the and conservation iguana Zoo. The rock iguana program will help showcase the zoo’s involvement with 2006 breeding season and 2.2 RCC Facility at FortWorth at FacilityRCC their Animal Outreach and Conservation Center (ARCC) in an off-exhibit selected as a taxa of mutual concern under a new agreement between a select nservation onservation Centers for Species Survival Formed Volume 9•Number1Summer2006 News &Comments C. pinguis are expected soon from the San Diego

j The Fort Worth Zoo recently opened recentlyFortWorth Zoo The Cyclura lewisi recently received from Newsletter C. collei Cyclura

will move in after the j are the only lizards

Cyclura spp. were - ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 2 [email protected] Fort Worth Zoo Rick Hudson water filtration,andaUVsterilizer. of types two beach, nesting a with pool foot 5 x 16 a pens with outdoor access. The aquatic indoor turtles have will share tortoises The Turtles”list. Endangered designed is greenhouse the of side other including seven taxa listed on the “Top 25 World’sThree Mosttortoise and six aquatic turtle species are targeted, to turtle conservation and the Turtle Survival Alliance. for chelonians and will highlight the zoo’s commitment for thisarea. targeted projects research anticipated the of two are growth on groupings social of effects the and studies outdoor units for rearing juvenile adjacent to the greenhouse and has ten indoor and ten gin November 13 in San Juan. Contact Juan. San in 13 November gin be will meeting Directors of Board IIF November.12 The on follow will island Muertos de Caja to trip field A nubila. site of the abundant introduced Rico, on the off-shore island of Magueyes, ing will be held 10-11 November in Puerto The annual Iguana Specialist Group meet Miguel Garcia formore information. 2006 AnnualISGMeeting The Cyclura. Nutritional C. nubila - - [email protected] Fort Worth Zoo Rick Hudson to payfortheproject. from the International Iguana Foundation (IIF) helped pay for construction projects. An additional donation help to specifically programs conservation worldwide who passed away in 2000, provides money to local and for an AZFA member and Kansas City Zoo employee Clark Waldram Conservation Fund. (AZFA) The Association’s fund, named Facilities Zoo and Aquarium the from grant a by funded was trip The purposes. these for used was canopy tent open-sided 10’ x 10’ a construction, to Prior pad. foundation cement a to downbolted was entirestructure the and throughout the front screened area. Hurricane straps were installed a pitched shingled roof and an attic storage area above will be used as a secure storage area. The building has and enclosed fully is area back area.The preparation separate areas. The front area is a 16’ x 8’ screened diet volunteers. The 16’ x 16’ building is divided into two and staff facility by preparation diet and storage for used be will building new the and days, eight took Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Construction of the shelter Queen the in Facility Headstart Iguana Blue the for building new a constructed they which during man Mike Fouraker recently returned from member a trip to Grand Cay Board IIF and Director Zoo by led N ew Shed Construction in GrandCayman in Construction Shed ew A construction team from the Fort WorthZooFort the from team construction A

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islands sampled, Leaf Cay (Allens) has the Of diet. iguana alter do feeding of rates high prolonged, that results indicate Preliminary habitat. beach and areas, interior,rocky wooded ing includ- areas and habitats different in collected was Scat Allens). of north Reef, Roberts,threeand just cays unnamed Rock Flat Allens, Southwest northern Exumas (Leaf [east of Allens], vidence of exploratory dig activity was ob was activity dig exploratory of vidence of of John Iverson) collected 84 scat samples(with KH 2006, March In Guana). Leaf [northeast of Normans Pond]and Bay, Adderly,(White North Exumas Pasture,Noddy, southern and central the in cays fromsix samples scat We islands. undisturbed 131 and collected disturbed between analyses comparative for collected were data populations of rock iguanas in the Exumas, general diet health. In order to assess impacts of tourist feeding on thus altering their natural behavior iguanas, and the potentiallyfeed purposely theirVisitors impacts. visitor populations remaining in the Exumas that are free from iguana few Consequently,are Yacht there Cay Club. Staniel from traffic increased of visitor because destinations frequent becoming also are Exumas central remote more the in populations undisturbed ously Previ trips. excursiontourist aboardExumaone-day Great from visitors high-impact receive also Exumas one-day Nassau excursions. The islands in the southern from week each people 600 to up experience northern Exumas the in Cays Allens the example, For nas. Many of these tourists land on cays inhabited by igua decade. past increasingsignificantly the over been has Diet comparisons. Visitor traffic in the Exuma Cays Pasture Cay. on effects predation concerning investigations future warrants Island Andros on snakes these by hatchings iguana of rates predation High April. in island the ( snake closely.A too fromaway iguanas chased areathe approachedthey if and area nesting her in conspecifics female and male towards aggressive was female One nested. have to appeared iguanas two and beach north the on served .. inornata C.c. E from seven cays in in cays seven from ) was captured on captured was vudii) Alsophis areas (exceptBitterGuana)were calculatedbywalkingislandperimeterswithahandheld, load ofiguanascaptured duringthe2006iguana surveysintheExumas,Bahamas.Island WAAS enabled,GarmineTrex Legend®GPS unitwiththecapabilityto calculatearea. Table 1.Islandsize,samplesizes,body mass(BM),snout-ventlength(SVL),andtick itrGaa~613810 1 ~76 Bitter Guana Ticks Pasture Gaulin SVL (cm) Leaf BM (g) White Bay N Noddy Area (ha) North Adderly Island - - - 13.6 12.4 4.6 5.9 5.9 4 chemistry andbehavioralcomparisons. chemistry blood on focus also will work Future studies. future conclusions but we now have a working hypothesis for meaningful make to needed are data More tourists. populations with minimal or no food provisioning by between samples from these islands and samples from west Allens Cay) but there were no distinct differences Cay,Bay White (e.g., South tourists byprovisioning food experience populations iguana sampled other 17; no loose/liquid samples). To a much lesser extent, the island (sand in two of 17 samples; grapes in one of consistency than fresh samples found on other parts of loose/liquid a of more with samples fresh and 19) of (seven grapes of remnants samples), 19 of (six grains sand ooid of levels high contained Cay Leaf on beach sioning by tourists. Scat samples from the main tourist by far the longest history and greatest rate of food provi populations. tential perturbations and/or preserve selected “natural” po prevent to cays selected on iguanas of feeding the Additionally, dialogue needs to be initiated to prohibit iguanas. the of status protective the advertising signs urther reinforcing the timeliness of this work, Gaulin and Pasture Cays thereby stressing the need for we documented an increase this year in tourists visiting 51 19 51 14 33 8 F San Diego Zoo andJohn G.Shedd Aquarium 50±13 09 0026.7±18.4 40.94±10.0 3570 ± 1630 4048][964.][5-54] [0-26] [19.6-48.1] [2-31] [420-4980] [14.7-37.5] 9.9±8.8 [0-49] [130-2550] [24.8-39.8] 31.54±4.78 [3-53] [710-3320] [19.9-38.2] 1550 ± 700 [0-21] [300-1600] [18.5-35.9] [220-1770] [17.2-36.0] [190-1480] 7 2 72 .18.37±5.9 27.26±5.81 970 ± 520 5.63±7.5 28.02±3.93 13.5± 820 ± 300 25.04±4.14 5.81±4.9 620 ± 380 27.65±3.98 800 ± 290 The Institute forRegional Conservation [email protected] 45.9 [email protected] Charles Knapp Kirsten Hines 11 and - - -

13 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Summer • 9(1) Newsletter ISG 12 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 ter Guana Cay was surveyed by CK and L. Roth on 27 because of small sample sizes. The southern end of Bit and Bitter Guana Cays also were excluded from analyses densities and thus exceptional large body sizes. Noddy because they represent translocated populations with low and Pasture Cays were excluded from statistical analyses and Gaulin Cay iguana populations (all P > 0.05). Leaf ectoparasite load between the North Adderly,or length, snout-vent Whitemass, body in Bay,difference no was recaptures dating back to as far as 1998 (Table 1). There fromGaulin Cay. Of Gaulin51 the captures, were27 iguanas 51 and Guana, Bitter from iguana one Cay, captured an additional two founder iguanas from Pasture the May/JuneDuring identification. term we surveys, long- for Cay) Pasture (except cays these on tags PIT This was the first year that iguanas were all marked with 33; Noddy, n = 14; White Bay, n = 51, Pasture, n = 6). iguanas from five cays (Leaf, n = 19; North Adderly, n = April surveys, we captured and processed a total of 123 morphometrics. and surveys General hours onBitter Guana Cay. spent on Gaulin Cay, one day on Pasture Cay, and three project initiated in 1998. Approximately 2.5 days were and Bitter Guana Cays is part of an annual monitoring Gaulin on ResearchJune). 3 2, and May Pasture26 - (Gaulin cay - 27, each 28 from May data and collect 4 June; help to Bitter students Guana graduate - 27 May; part of a Bahamas Ecology course that included under n addition to the April Gaulin, Bitter surveys, were surveys The 2006. June 4 and May 26 between (author) CK by visited were PastureCays and Guana, Iguana (CycluraIguana cychlura figginsi Exuma Island iguana(Cyclura cychlura figginsi) visited by touristsversus un-visitedcays. cays Exuma inhabiting populations iguana of studies diet liminary and body condition data for comparative colony that was translocated in 2002, and 3) collect pre SeaParkand Land Cays Exumainitial the augment to Cay (northeast of Normans Pond) to Pasture Cay in the been visited since 1998, 2) translocate iguanas fromnot have Leaf they because chain Exuma south-central the in populations iguana survey 1) to were 2006 for tives Bay, North Adderly, Noddy, and Pasture Cays. Objec the islands of Leaf (northeast of Normans Pond), White included and researchprogram iguana citizen-scientist The surveys were part of the John G. Shedd Aquarium’s April2006. 11 to 6 fromIslandwere conducted chain I ) surveys in the Exuma the in surveys ) During the the During - - - - tive signspostedontheislandin1998. informative/protec the with coincide observations in past nine years. Although speculative, annual increases tions represent an increase in recorded iguanas over the observed foraging on the north beach. These - observa on 26 May off of Bitter Guana Cay, four iguanas were short time on the island. Additionally, while at anchor because of the extreme wariness of the iguanas and our captured was male large one only but observed were May. Twelve iguanas representing multiple age classes ee (.) f h fudr gaa remain iguanas founder the of (5.2) even the islandfrom adistantiguana-inhabitedcay. originate from Pasture Cay, they were purposely put on not did iguanas the if so area the in islands inhabited came from Pasture Cay. However, there are no iguana- island so we were unable to determine if those iguanas tion). We were not granted permission to land on the of Pasture Cay (Tom Barbernitz, personal communica- a private cay (Little Halls Pond) located 1.5 km north of beach north the on year this spotted been have nas km south of Pasture Cay. Interestingly, two large igua washed up on Compass Cay located approximately five of the male carcasses was discovered in December 2002 the fate of four (2.2) iguanas remains uncertain. One three male iguana carcasses have been recovered while in an initial loss of large males. Since December 2002, resulting (11.5) male-biased heavily was colony cated translo The details). for newsletters IUCN past (see days two in possible lizardsremovalas many the as of a necessity because of a land sale dispute that required the Exuma CaysLandandSea Park wasconductedas in Cay Pasture to Pond]Normans of [northeast Cay Leaf from translocation Translocation.original The forrats. still needtobesurveyed Adderly, Noddy, and Guana Cay (not visited in 2006) North PastureCays. and Guana, Bay,Bitter Gaulin, White from on confirmed traps rat Shermanlive set April, we 10 n been have rats ToCay. date, We trapped six rats from White Bay and none from White LeafBay (n = 28 traps) and Leaf Cays (n = 30 traps). observed butnotcaptured. observed Two2004. in werecaptured subadults last other was it since 19.6cm) = SVL 420g; = (BM 5.9cm by SVL and 302g by mass body its increased and recaptured captured. One subadult that hatched on the island was additional founder iguanas (1.1) were observed but not healthy and gained body mass since last capture. Two appeared all and Cay Pasture on recaptured were ing S O - - - - youth,” said Johnson. “The goal of the club is all to to teach it offer to able be year next the within and 13, group. By September we plan to branch out up to age age starting a just is that but 5-10, of ages the tween resently the club is open to all students be students all to open is club the resently Iguana asanendangered species. the of value the on Bahamians educating and soccer of game the teaching both on focused is year, last of ow thanks to Ricardo The Johnson, club Founderwhich started and just six months ago in October Club, the sport is growing on the island of Andros also.Football Iguanas Andros Central the of Coach Head New Providence. as it continues to become increasingly popular here in recent In months, the sport of soccer BAHAMAS. has been making headlines PROVIDENCE, NEW By Renaldo Smith The Nassau Guardian -March 23,2006 Soccer Growing inAndros Congratulations, Indy! eggs from the zoo’s second female, are still incubating. several as female’swell this as from clutch, eggs more hatchlings were discovered in a headstarting cage. Two when 2004 and 2001 in Jamaica in Zoo Hope the at before twice only occurred has reproduction Captive 1990s. the since iguanas Jamaican housing zoos six of one is Indianapolis 2006. August 29 on occurred of hatching successful first Jamaican Iguanas Hatch at Indianapolis Zoo “P N Iguanas intheNews in the U.S. the in collei Cyclura

j The - Head CoachCarlLynch. the Dynamos Football Club under the watchful eye of with coach assistant an as youths with dealt first and Johnson has always been involved in the sport of soccer Assistant Coaches Shantol Coakley, and and Darvin Johnson, Brown.Helene Michele’ wife his is youngsters the of training the in him Assisting in. participate to Central activity curricular the extra constructive a with at youth the Biology teaches who ohnson, providesnow it and island, the for coming time long a was club the believes he said School, High Andros persons are flockingtojointheclub,” headded. structured organization is growing, so more and more well a as club the of reputation the and members 40 foundation. a alreadyhas build club can The we that so now for group age one just on efforts our trating concen Weare iguana. the of conservation of need the marries and soccer of game the enjoy to students http://www.indyzoo.com/pdf/JamaicanIguanasHatched.htm Photos byRichard Reams.ForPress Releasesee: J N EWS FLASH !! FLASH

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3 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Summer • 9(1) Newsletter ISG ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 4 the upandcomingclubonlocalscene. vancy, and the Bahamas National Trust has supported great vation a Foundation. While received the Andros Nature have Conser Iguanas the Iguana far, the hus Specialist Group, Aquarium, and Shedd the International Chicago Reptile Conser the as such organizations international from support of amount We hope to be able to diversify what is happen ever first the is club the that fact the espite for thenearfuture. of its kind on the island, Johnson says he has big plans added. roster hasabout130kidssoitshouldbeexciting,” he my now right and coming them to forward looking the work that Johnson and his wife are doing. We are on light positive some shine and island the on sport the of awareness the increase will club them. The for good be would it off-season the in kids the with and play to here coming teams about excited always are Lynch.said wecan,” providethat assistance any “We to continue will and States the in or locally contacts I and job fantastic a doing is he that think We continue to mentor him as far as putting him onto chance to mentor him and help him out along the way.a had coaches other the and myself that glad just am ohnson and the Iguanas, will get their first real the Dynamosfrom the7-9ofApril. face Providenceto New to here travel they when test from theoldergroups ontheisland,”saidJohnson. interest strong a is there so organization, the join to High school students have bombarded me with requests dros and for the youth with some wholesome activity. has just begun and the future looks promising for An Ithere. invitationals eventuallyhost wecan then and multiple teams in Andros that will play amongst them, We encourage island. to the want on soccer with ing T “ D “I J Andros IguanasteamlogobyJoelFriesch. - - - - Blue Iguana. This planhasnow beenaccomplished. the save to up written was plan strategic first the 2001 in Back Friday. on group the for scheduled was trip field A years. coming the over iguanas the conserving for plan a with up come to together heads their ting Reptile Foundation.Conservation International and Group, Specialist Iguana Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wild Conservation Union Projects Officer Mat Cottam; representatives of Durrell DoE’sEbanks–PetrieSpecialand Gina Director ment Carr and Samantha Addinall; Department of Environ Chris members staff with along FredBurton Director Programme Recovery Iguana Blue Reid; Carla person Cayman’s own Blue Iguana from extinction. saving continue to how out figure orderto in together representatives got together last week to put their heads government and experts Iguana Blue conservationists, most endangered lizard on earth. Concerned scientists, the still is Iguana Blue Cayman the years, five past the achieved by the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme over work wonderful the all CAYMAN.Despite GRAND By CliodhnaMcGowan Caymanian Compass-October 4,2005 Blue Iguana Still Needs Man’s Help provides the biggest funding followed by that of inter- followedof providesfunding that byut biggest the a fresh look needs to be taken at the wheresupport corporate Local going. is grants, charitable the programme, which is dependent on donations and 23 have beenreleased intotheSalina Reserve. ParkBotanic the and in Iguanasfree-roamingBlue 30 now over 80 iguanas a year are hatching. There are now Park has resulted in tremendous success in breeding and tive breeding facility at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic ingly, there were Backonly 10 to then 25 left. we didn’tThe improved cap- even know how many BlueHowever, a population survey soon disclosed that shock Iguanas were left in the wild,” commented Mr. Burton. team spent Wednesday and Thursday put These people are friends and allies that bring in resources toourprogramme,” explainedMr. Burton. Nationalof: consisted Trustgroup Chair Burton. Theresa and the Grand Caymanian are Fred hostingDirector Programme Recovery Iguana Blue said this to a ridiculous extent. We can’t thank her enough,” helping the team along the way was Grand and space, refreshments thinkinggroup. fortheforward meeting accommodation, free provided who Foster Theresa Director Managing Caymanian B “ The “ The “ And - - - - the demographic effects of adding nesting soils to an to soils nesting adding of effects demographic the five iguanas offers a potential experimental site to study propriate nesting habitat. In addition, the island with verify that populations can establish quickly given ap esults of the DNA analyses meantime, from preliminary collected blood nesting results from FRRC In populations. island-separated these among ships relation clarify help should work survey future and iguana populationsthere biologicallydead. appear to lack nesting habitat, potentially rendering the however,fromLeaf,Cays, FRR and U, cays other the cay appear to be long-term natural inhabitants. Aside surveyed newly the on iguanas five the of three least at example, For known. previously than distribution natural wider a suggests also cays new two least at on and U Cays. The presence of unmarked adult iguanas unauthorized persons are relocating iguanas from Leaf Robert’sas away verifies that north) the to km (6 Cay far as female Cay U a of discovery The area. iguana Cays Allen the protect formally to government mas Baha the for time optimal an be might this whether Conclusions. unable tonestonthisisland. be may individuals these that notion the reinforcing actual nest construction. No juveniles were observed, was observed, but there appeared to be too little soil for onstrated site fidelity suggestive of nesting, and digging unmarked, adult females. The captured females dem- Marchwerethe capture,these with As capturedtwo. We and individuals five of total a captured. observed been had March individual the to follow-up unmarked previously a the and s observed been had iguanas four where cays the of one revisited KNH and JBI survey, Leaf andUCays. and FRRC between significantly differ to appear not do nests, closest between distance and size, egg size, clutch ing cays. Other nesting parameters, includ the 12ormore years takenontheother less than a decade on FRRC rather than female sexual maturity being attained in in results apparently latter The FRRC. on cays) U and Leaf on years 18-23 = SVL 32cm FRRC; on years 10 = SVL Cays) and more rapid growth rate (32cm R A Our research this year leads us to wonder - - - - the Exumas. of area that in fauna and flora other and shearwater, Audubon’s endangered indigenous the iguana, Cays go far in ensuring the long-term existence of the Allen Leaf and U Cays and the Bahamas government, could of owners the among agreement cooperative a with and the population as a whole. Education, combined implications this may have the on the understand health to of individuals yet have We populations. the of subset a on impacts dramatic has feeding tourist that suggest observations preliminary Furthermore, soil. single sex individuals, or may only not support have either sufficientmay which nestingislands many too are There populations. dead biologically these of some creating be may Well-meaning tourists involvement. species that is made even more so by increased human that campaign tourist industry, but the latter depends on a vulnerable educational an booming a support iguanas its and Cay Leaf iguana. aunching essential to the long-term well-being of the Allen Cays is Cays U and Leaf on kiosks informational includes island. Female

Cyclura cychlurainornata L The Institute forRegional Conservation [email protected] . PhotobyKirstenHines.. [email protected] Kirsten N.Hines Earlham College John B.Iverson and

11 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Summer • 9(1) Newsletter ISG 10 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Photo byKirsten Hines. John IversonexhumesCycluracychlurainornata blood samplesforfuture DNAwork. collect to and islands survey to area Cays Allen the in 2006 March in days six spent associates and alumni Earlham 13 issue, the understand better to order In had yielded no sign of iguanas when surveyed in 2001. that Cay Leaf of north just islet tiny a on discovered iguanas and a carcass, none of which were marked, were was that people were assumption relocating iguanas. Our In 2005, two Cays. U or Leaf on marked ously Leaf Cay), both of which contained individuals previ of NE km 1 (ca. FRRC and Cay Allen on confirmed been had been populations 2001, By observed. not previously had they where Cays U and Leaf around began hearing reports that iguanas were(author) seen JBI on 1995, islands as early As Trip. Survey March capacity.be atornearcarrying to presumed are populations where Cays U and Leaf and 2002on in2001 observed population withthose to compare nesting parameters in this rapidly growing Reef Cay (FRRC) just northeast of Leaf Cay. We The Julyhoped trip focused on nesting activity on Flat Rock Cays. U and Leaf on work mark-recapture intensive involves that students Earlham current for trip May normal the replaced expedition This samples. blood for potential migrant iguanas and for the collection of Harbour Allens the around and in cays surveyed that July 2006. The March trip 16-21 consistedfrom one of and an 2006 Marchalumni 18-26 team from one – the Allen Cays area in the northern Exumas, Bahamas Allen Cays. Allen Cays iguana(Cyclura) cychlura inornata

Two separate research trips were made to eggs. - frequency (40-50% on FRRC; ~33% on Leaf and U and Leaf on ~33% FRRC; on (40-50% frequency clutch higher a are cays U and Leaf on populations it defense, nest strong of lack a to addition n between the young population on FRRC and the older tentatively appears that the most important differences may have beenincorrect forthosesites. identification nest initial our that indicating females Two of the identified sites observed. yieldedwas female nono eggsbut found, norwere eggs associatedwhere the eggs were never uncovered. There was also one nest One female was associated with a potential nest site, but identified and six were matched with precise clutches. ated females. Nonetheless, seven nesting females were it took some time to determine which nests had associ- Leaf and U Cays, female nest defense was minimal and clutches were uncovered at seven of the sites. Unlike on female attendance. All ten sites were excavated and egg presence, soil and vegetation disturbance patterns, mound and on based identified were sites nest potential Juneten of total mid-JulyA to Cays). U and Leaf on (mid- season nesting presumed the after days five for July Nesting Study. JBI and KNH returned to FRRC that year. from Cay U on study nesting our in included been had it since relocated2001 thereafter sometime been clearly had that Cay U from originally female a One of these iguanas was unmarked and the other was two were captured and blood was collected from each. had iguana scat and tail drags. Of the observed island fourth iguanas,a and islands these of three on seen was iguanas seven of total A trip. this during visited also were before, surveyed been never had which of most in iguanas of evidence no had which Cays C, and Robert’s Cay just south of Ship Channel Cay, 30 elusive juveniles. Eight other cays between the Allen estimate of 100 iguanas includes a subjective count of 1994, now has a thriving, growing population and the onAllenCay.nesting siteshave beenobserved adequate nor juveniles neither Torespectively.date, island), the for marked 45 of total a and recaptures) and 100 (based on 38 captures this trip (including five tion estimates for each now stand at 20 (total marked) and blood was collected at each location. Total popula total of 12 cays were visited during this trip. there. Allen Cay and FRRC were extensively sampled conducted was work other no but samples, blood lect col to enough long werevisited Cay Leaf and Cay U I FRR A - - dispersers”, shesaid. seed important as environment, forest healthier a to than people give them credit for, They also contribute more complex and highly adapted to their are environment“They species. favourite her as Iguana Blue man Cay the cites biologist conservation growing.The it the population requires intensive management to keep nowherefound that fact the is Another earth. on else is animal this that people educate to need the is these Allison Alberts, of the of Wild Conservation One up. coming keep themes same the that out iguana programme in Cayman from the outset, pointed Union Iguana Specialist Group, who has supported the that comingintohighseasonthesewillimprove. hoped is It great. been not have bookings far so but at the iguana facility at the Botanic Park started in May, make an income for us,” he said. Cruise can passengertourism iguana-related how toursat and opportunities we’reand funding basis sustainable grant at a looking being “We funding. is nowat on moremoney looked need element Another said. he areas,” existing Park of management Botanic the the or area and new a Reserve finding mean Salina could The This areas. additional we’reat so looking population live viable a have to iguanas enough support cannot of Blue Iguanas intothewild. allow the programme to restore a viable live population biggest challenges is getting enough protected habitat to the of One earth. on lizardendangered most the still Burton, who explained that the Cayman Blue Iguana is tive is just how much work is still left to do, asserted Initiative.Mr. One thing the meetings have put Darwin in perspecThe including groups conservation national Grand CaymanianManagingDirector Theresa Foster, Burton, andNationalTrust ChairpersonCarlaReid. Ms. “ Blue IguanaRecoveryProgramme Director Fred - - awareness onthisisasbigforotherlocalissues.” don’tI and species indigenous the an think it keep to because they are an indigenous species so it is important ing the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme is important to Cayman. Ms Theresa Foster commented, “Sponsor children about this endangered species which is native the premises. Grill The Kid’s Club at Iguana the resort also teaches Blue on boxes Caymanian’s fund–raising of placement Grand the and he tourists to work this about Programmeinformation giving by Recovery Iguana Trust’sBlue National the supports . Quentin Bloxam of Durrell Wildlife Con between green iguanasandtherare Blue Iguana. confusion does as addressed, be to needs also iguanas attacking cats and dogs wild of issue The saved. be in the world. In this way, a biodiversity system would dry forest, which is the most endangered type of forest the save help also would This district. Eastern the in species requires acquisition of a reasonable size habitat servation programmes. He pointed out that saving the Programme as one Recovery of the Iguana best run Blue and high the quality con describes Trust servation light landings and create takeoffs have also been delayed lizards cold-blooded The pets. exotic as Rico Puerto in sold are which reptiles, the of because metre long. a than more be to grow can which reptiles, adult the shoot to was rifles .22-calibre alive with armed teams sending iguanas the capture to or eggs effort iguana’s their the lay where burrows n options: flooding other discussing were also authorities But conference. news a Velezconsideration, at under said nearthecapitalofSantional Airport Juan. MuñozLuis the at weeks two roughlyMarin Interna in island’s“aplague,” as the described he of which iguanas, the secretary ing Arocho, Velez avier captur or killing begin can teams that hopes he said Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, species, anofficialsaid Friday.reptile invasive the of area the rid to plans territory Caribbean U.S. this that hazard a such become have on runways at Puerto Rico’s largest international airport SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. Green iguanas basking Associated Press -June 2,2006 Basking Iguanas of Runways Airport Rid to Prepares Rico Puerto T Mr F A J - - - - -

5 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Summer • 9(1) Newsletter ISG ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 6 understand that they have become a plague, security danger,” Capallisaid. from the area, but . . . 22-calibre rifles are also a public danger,a removedbe must they that threat and a and arla suggested toeradicatethem. Capalli, of the Humane Society of Puerto Velezmethods the of some questioned but problems Rico, said she recognized that the iguanas posed safety the airport. near roads on sun the up soak they as hazards traffic know that the Jamaican iguana was once believed to be shrimp? and Did riveryou fish of your supply affects Do you realize that the encroachment on their habitats that crocodiles play an integral role in the environment? Jamaican snake outside of the zoo? Do you understand a see pig? youlast Whereguinea did a like looks that rodent large Coney,Indiana the seen ever you Have ur nationaldon’tI JohnAnd Crowlike? look birdspouse. your mean is the doctor bird or streamer- one? And for those who have, when last? What does a tailed hummingbird. How many of you have ever seen the diversity ofplantsandanimalsthatlived here. preservation of Jamaican culture she may not know of child is able fully to appreciate his contribution to the and legacy. Be warned! By the time Edward Seaga’sunderstand that we are destroying loveour natural heritage for Arawaks. It is taking an even longer time for us to mistaken were they that realized we before years 500 the TainosJamaica.call Itmoreto than us used took what is water,” and wood of land XAYMACA:“The by Orville W. Taylor Jamaica Gleaner -May 7,2006 Editorial: Environmental andLizards ‘Tales’ The PiratesoftheCaribbean,starringJohnnyDepp. protecting iguanahabitatduringthefilmingof ISG memberJoeWasilewski (left)wason-hand “I C O

t is perhaps this fear that has made the gov the made has that fear this perhaps is t bite you willfrightenyou todeath!” “All snakes and lizards are dangerous. Those who don’t cable phobia is best expressed by my elderly neighbor: Neither are boas. any of Jamaican our lizards harmful. nine-foot Yet, our the inexpli including dangerous, are Jamaicansnakes our of none Still, snakes. female ur fear of of swallowing amanwhole.Anabilitynotlimitedto snakes is understandable because in capable pythons long foot 20-odd and vipers, cobras, thereareoriginate, us of Indiawheremost and Africa and discourage othermales. females woo to serves it and dewlap a called is their tongues. That brightly-coloured sac they display out stick not do lizards our because right, So silent. keep should she or he then interpret, to there is one no and tongues in speaking is one if Biblesays, the as that, understood truly pastor Poor tongue’. his out ‘long and push-ups did anole,) Jamaican (the lizard green defiant a as terror mortal in cowered but doers evil rebuked and demons out chased successfully JamaicanAmazonian has the that phobia the et, police, macho males, and even pastors. Many a pastor revealed is not unique. It pervades the ranks of badmen, than me!” chasing away a 10-inch croaking lizard. “Lizard smaller declared she flatfooted, completely obvious, the while me left that statement a In nails. acrylic poorly-done barely woman, little a friend, Surinamese ‘Polly tiny a her of than afraid smaller lizard’was that was roommate female feminine slightly eleven, foot ‘condensedfive a her than that amazedtaller was tin,’ siduously to save this species and have received much receivedhave and species this save to siduously as worked have scientists UWI The development. hotel and sale for viewed being is captivity of outside place where Jamaican iguanas are known to still breed only the that rumour a is habitats. Therereptilian of ernmental agencies less than vigilant in the protection cannot possibly hurt them. cannot possiblyhurt Ja lizards, of petrified totally evenwhich is those maican average the that aware quite am I Nevertheless, hamster,dog, fowl,puss, her.Especially woman. and common parakeet, your However,will so bite. nasty is harmless because, if harassed or held it can deliver a A NASTY BITE. (UWI) andHope Zoo? and determination of the University of the West Indies extinct and would have been so except for the vigilance I O Y A I won’t pretend that the shy iguana - - - - or theycanbe two different sizes(heterozygous individual),inwhichcase twopeaksare produced. Images byMaggieReinbold. locus, onefrom eachparent. Thetwoallelescanbethesamesize (homozygous individual),andonlyonemajorpeakisdisplayed, peaks represent allelesgeneratedbyanumberofdifferent microsatellite primersets. An individualinheritstwoalleles ateach quality andhighmolecularweight. DNA usingmicrosatellite primersandthepolymerasechainreaction. Thetworows ofsinglebandsshowthattheDNA isofgood The fourrows ofsingle-bandPCRproducts are roughly 250basepairsinsize,andwere generatedviaamplificationofgenomic ladders usedforsizecomparison. Aboveleft: captive group and0.53inthewildpopulation. the in 0.61 be to determined heterozygosity observed and wild populations was 2.8 and 4.3 respectively, with ber of acrossalleles observed the 23 loci in the captive were obtained for all individuals and the average num assumed to represent eight sibling groups). Genotypes nests eight from hatchlings 98 and related, randomly be to assumed animals captured haphazardly (68 als founders and their six adult offspring)six (the and Zoo 166 Diego wildSan the individu at captives 12 nas: DNA was extracted from a total of 178 Anegada igua for polymorphism and found to be useful for analysis. was constructed using 23 of 48 candidate loci screened Upper right: is unrelated to the other pairs. The statisti- relatedeach pair that and pair) female and of males, one pair of females, and one male pair (one pairs related three contain adults captive six approach, statistical likelihood maximum the suggest analysis this of Results adults. captive the dividuals sampled, was used to infer relatedness among using the six captive founders and most of the wild in- related (haphazardly captured adultsandjuveniles). from marked nests) and one presumed to be randomly knownone iguanas, relatedclosely be to (clutchmates Anegada wild of groups two for observed that to tion was examined by comparing their microsatellite varia population captive the within relatedness program, breedingcaptive a for iguanas Anegada (3.3) adult six Zoo’sDiegoSan the of suitability genetic the termine Genetic Analysis of Anegada Iguanas. Anegada Island iguana(Cyclura pinguis) A A DNA microsatellite library library microsatellite DNA pinguis Cyclura GelimageofgenomicDNAsextractedfrom Anegada iguanas.Themulti-bandlanesontheleftare 1000basepair Lower right: In order to de- Gelimageof Anegada iguanaPCRproducts. To theleftare 100 basepairladders. Exampleof Anegada iguanamicrosatellite genotypedata.Thegreen andblue - - - - state whethereachpairislikelytoberelated ornot. generally only can we reason, this For etc. offspring, parent- half-siblings, siblings, be to likely are iguanas specific relationships, such as determining whether two estimate to markers more requires used approach cal seum and Library Services and with a Van Ness InstituteMufromthe for grant bya funded was and Research CRES of Divisions Conservation Applied and netics significantly subdivided(FSTis0.153). heterozygosity is 0.53) (observed and that subpopulations healthy are not genetically is population the that suggest data microsatellite the individuals, 300 than estimates suggest that the wild population population contains less Although Anegada. on population wild information about the portant genetic diversity of the qualified asparents oftheoffspringatall23loci. female and male one only revealedthat data allele lite Of the four other possible adult candidates, microsatel ents of the offspring were excluded at 7 out of 23 loci. pedigree. The adults that were believed to be the par assign parents to a captive offspring with a questionable ness of the six adult founders was also used to correctly This work was jointly undertaken by the Ge the by undertaken jointly was work This genetic data also the returnsupports presence tothiscayyear afteryearof tolaytheireggs. females that suggesting Pond, Red in ha) (0.26 Cay Windberg of islet tiny the on captured hatchlings for partial sibling relationships across multiple field seasons microsatellite data have also provided im related infer to compiled data molecular The The The Fellowship atCRES. [email protected] San Diego Zoo Glenn Gerber ------

9 ISG Newsletter 9(1) • Summer 2006 Summer • 9(1) Newsletter ISG