Specialist Group Newsletter Volume 11 • Number 1 • Spring 2008

2008 ISG Annual Meeting The Iguana Specialist Group ISG Meeting Minutes prioritizes and facilitates January 3-8, 2008 conservation, science, and Utila, Honduras awareness programs that help ensure the survival of wild Despite a tropical storm, 14-foot seas and one of our boats almost capsizing, and their habitats. the 2008 annual Iguana Specialist Group meeting was productive and enjoyable thanks to the organization of Stesha Pasachnik, Jimena Castillo, Monica Perez, Sandy Echternacht, and the hospitality of the IRBS and the Utilian people. Many new local and international faces were in attendance and we were able IN THIS ISSUE to come together to create an action plan for bakeri and a list of research objectives for C. melanosterna and C. palearis. The meeting ended General Reports ...... 2 with a field trip to Cayos Cochinos where we were able to observe Ctenosaura Caribbean Iguana Session ...... 4 melanosterna in the wild. Dominican Republic ...... 4 Puerto Rico ...... 5 Jamaica ...... 5 Turks & Caicos ...... 5 Anegada ...... 6 Booby Cay ...... 6 Exumas ...... 7 Andros ...... 7 Dominica...... 8 Grand Cayman ...... 8 Ctenosaura Session ...... 9 Left to Right. Bottom Row: Chad Montgomery, Joe Burgess, Victor Reynoso, Jimena Recent Literature ...... 12 Castillo, Catherine Stephen, Bonnie Raphael, Stesha Pasachnik, Bruce Weissgold, ISG contact information ...... 12 Monica Perez. Middle Row: Kirsten Hines, Paola Coti, Wendoli Medina, Melissa Dordrecht, Eugenia Zarza, Sofia Nunez, Chuck Knapp, Peter Tolson, Daniel Ariano, Sandy Echternacht, Dennis Baulechner, Corri Thelwall. Back Row: Jennifer Baker, Glenn Gerber, Lucie Brown, John Iverson, Jan Ramer, Edoardo Antunez, Miguel Garcia, Leslie Ruyle, Rene Gaal, Jeff Lemm, Joe Wasilewski, Andy Snider, Evert Henningheim, and Rick Hudson. ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 2 bution distri- broad origin, Cenozoic ancient its of because Fijian Archipelago. It is a particularly interesting group the in and hemisphere western the throughout range Iguaninae subfamily the of large-bodied The BuckleyTechnology). (RochesterLarry Institute of Catherine Stephen (Utah Valley State College)and Phylogenetic AnalysisoftheSubfamily Iguaninae. taxonomic inconsistencies, and conservation issues. taxonomic inconsistencies,andconservation terms of geologic history, morphological convergence, in discussed be will analyses phylogenetic of Results likelihood models and together in a Bayesian analysis. from each locus are analyzed separately using maximum Data tree. the within shallownodes and resolvedeep have varying rates of evolution and thus we are able to at four loci (two nDNA and two mtDNA). These loci presented here are the result of sequencing individuals n taxo- both subfamily the sampling comprehensively robust phylogeny, we have built upon prior studies by more a generate to order In unclear. remain lineages several of status taxonomic and group the of history evolutionary the Thus, genera. between and within single locus, resulting in a unresolvedfrom ordata conflictingand/or sampling nodes taxonomic incomplete molecular and morphological studies have relied upon Prior endemism. island and regional of degree high d ition of independent data sets from nuclear loci. Data omically and geographically, as well as through the ad- across multiple geographical boundaries, and boundaries, geographical multiple across General Reports are spentdirectly oniguanaconservation. Fort Worth Zoo ensuring that 100% of all funds raised are Administrativeprovided support office and bythe Mona, Honduras, St. Lucia, and the Turks and Caicos. Fiji,Bahamas,Republic, Dominican GrandCayman, v conser- iguana fund to grants in $230,000 of support gram. pro- grants small annual an run to and construction, for hurricane damage, workshops and training, facility relief emergency Program,Recovery Iguana Jamaican were utilized to provide core operating support for the public/private donations. During the past year, funds (all board members are financially vested), grants, and Sources of funds include annual board member pledges forming. since dollars US in overmillion raised half a become a driving force of iguana conservation, having g pro- conservation priority finance help to Organized nonprofit organization registered in the state of Texas. history of the International Iguana Foundation (IIF), a The presentation will review the six year (2001–2007) Foundation. RickHudson (Fort Worth Zoo). Update ontheStatus oftheInternational Iguana our annualmeeting inNovember. at discussed be will topic This accurate. scientifically and credible is List Red IUCN the on appears what that ensure to partners its and network SSC the on responsibility greater places system review peer This a appointed Red List Authority or by at least two evalu- an of members two least at by evaluated been has it sessment as- new no that is intention The correct). be longer no may provided documentation supporting any and status the as updating’,‘needs as flagged are years ten than older are that assessments any (note, years five every possible, if and, years ten every once assessed against the IUCN Red List Categories at least correctly are jurisdiction their within species all that Group. The role of the Red SpecialistList Iguana Authoritiesthe of is members to the from ensure needed is group) or individual (an Authority List Red new A (Fort Worth Zoo). Iguana Red ListAuthority Needed. RickHudson tors appointed by IUCN Species Programme staff. Programme Species IUCN by appointed tors ation and research programs in Jamaica, Anegada, Anegada, Jamaica, in programs research and ation rams of the Iguana Specialist Group (ISG), the IIF has Since 2002, this program has provided critical provided has program this 2002, Since will be included on the IUCN Red List until 3 ISG Newsletter 10(1) • Summer 2007 meetings, with are outdated and program and would working and projects. Cyclura November 2008!! November [email protected] Joint ISG and IIF Meeting 2008 ISG and IIF Meeting Joint Thanks and hope to see you in Florida, Thanks and hope to see you need revision, and we need a new Red List techniques field standardized The Authority. manual that we keep discussing should be completed in this may workshop. It also be time for a re-prioritization of iguana species The ISG and IIF will hold Conservation their Oak White meetingsthe at back to back Center in Yulee Florida,Jacksonville on justthe Georgia northborder. Thedates are 10-14 ofand November the order of the meetings has not yet been determined. White Oak is potentiallyestablishing a interested in like our advice on andhusbandry, the potential forhousing, involvement in field conservation efforts. A nominal fee will be charged for accommodation, three meals per and day, meeting space - approximately $100 per day per The person. ISG met last were facilities the and 1998 in Oak White at very conducive to few distractions. Since we will a notcoincident have Recovery Plan workshopconduct, we will spend time catching up on to the by fallen has feel I projects of backlog the Listing Red IUCN the example, For wayside. assessments for Photos by Jeff Lemm. Iguana Research and Breeding Station, Utila. Station, Utila. and Breeding Iguana Research registered in the state of California, is to facilitate facilitate to is California, of state the in registered its readers. Journal subscribers and contributors but not limited to funding, fund-raising, volunteer volunteer fund-raising, funding, to limited not but support, web development, promotion of species ation Foundation (IRCF), a not-for-profit organiza- The principal aim of the International Conser- Reptile International the of aim principal The v Update on the International Reptile Conservation Reptile International on the Update (IRCF). Binns John Foundation. tion coordination, publication, communications, logisti- cal include academics, zoo professionals, and committed hobbyists, all of whom share a common interest in conserving and their habitats. The IRCF has Grand in programs conservation for support provided India, Argentina, Guatemala, Cayman, Little Cayman, Dominican Republic, Anegada, with partnershipJamaica, in Honduras, IRCF, The Bahamas. The and Fiji, land purchased recently has Zootropic, and Atlanta Zoo crucial preserve to sanctuary wildlife a for Guatemala in reptiles. habitat for critically endangered conservation programs that contribute to the survival of and throughout the threatened reptiles endangered includ- support, multi-level targeted Providing world. ing awareness, and acting as a fund portal conservation programs, for the IRCF existingis part of the total conservation solution. Since its inception, the IRCF has raised $434,568 for conservation. public including sources, of Funds variety a from raised been have and private donations, grants, web-based marketing, and membership dues, which provide members with a subscription to the Foundation’s journal, Iguana. Focused on the conservation and natural history of reptiles, Iguana seeks to inform, entertain, and edu- cate ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 4 gram t Grupo Jaragua has been very busy surveying nesting ac- science,orboth. a career ofconservation, continue with their interest in school, perhaps making will they that is hope our and stimulated, particularly seemed who students several were There conditions. field for feel a get could participants that so site study group from Haiti. This workshop included a trip to the a including scientists NGO and students, school high students, college by attended was and Pedernales, in the areas and species they protect. The third was held ranger participation in generating conservation ideas for also well received. At this meeting we strove to facilitate but was also attended by government officials, and was La Descubierta for the rangers that work on Cabritos, applications and conservation. The second was held in and promoted, stimulating discussions about scientific and NGO scientists and students. technicians It was well received and scientists government to was and presented ZooDom, at Domingo Santo in held was be minimally detrimental to iguanas, and coordinating will that use land of promotion areas, nesting around zone buffer a purchasing like possibilities considering agricultural use and conservation are brewing. between They clashes arewhere areas critical pinpoint to hard working are and region Pedernales in habitat iguana They are also conducting a land tenure study in Ricord’sRepublic. Dominican the of part southwestern the in tion Biodiversity,Conserva- and WildlifeDurrell Wildlife included Grupo Jaragua, ZooDom, project the Dominican Ministry of the in Partners USFW. the from grant a by funded Republic Dominican in held were workshops capacity-building three 2007 January In Republic. Jan Ramer(Indianapolis Zoo). on Update DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-Ramer ivities of Trust and Indianapolis Zoo. The first workshop first The Zoo. Indianapolis Trustand to conserve biodiversity in the biosphere reserve biospherereserve the in biodiversity conserve to Caribbean IguanaSession C. ricordi Conservation in the Dominican the in Conservation Cyclura in the area as part of their larger pro- ing grow- are 2004 from hatchlings ten The placement. need and large quite are 2002 from individuals 3.1 the and 2002, since hatch They’veclutches three had iguanas. Ricord’s breeding busy been has ZooDom Zoo, Grupo Jaragua, andZooDom). wereIndianapolis partners AZA-CEF; and USFW by French and into Creole graders for use3rd in Dominican schools infor the 2006 area (fundedin developed with a Haitian NGO and are translating the curriculum working are They located. been Ricord’shas iguanas to continue work in Haiti where a small population of Grupo Jaragua also just received funding from the IIF from theIIFandMacArthur Foundation. habitat destruction. This work was done further with funding prevent to agencies governmental local with of Z (CycluraDominicanricordiJournalRepublic.the in ) iguanas Ricord’s free-ranging of assessment Health J. Ramer, T. Reichard, P. Tolson,the pdf M. is Christopher.available by contacting2007. Jan Ramer. Maria, year; R., this published paper his had Dr.Maria Roberto well ontheApril fieldtrip. free-ranging of assessments health Mazuri, from grant a Through scientist to continue survey work throughout the year. will return annually, and hope to recruit a Dominican Ministry of Wildlife and Biodiversity. The Indy team the and ZooDom,fromToledo Jaragua, Grupo Zoo, folks by accompanied be will group Indy The year. this of be April in returns team will the when implemented adjustments slight and DWCT, of Young Richard with discussed was 2003 in set methodology ber Indianapolis Zoo received a grant from a board mem- addressed. been SRP,not the has of hatchlings of placement but to make some recommendations, as breeding was part try ISG the that asks curator The fall! last hatchlings to continue the survey work on Cabritos. Transect quickly and needing placement, and there were 15 oo and Wildlife Medicine 38(3):414-419. and ricordi will be continued as continued be will cornuta 5 ISG Newsletter 10(1) • Summer 2007 . Glenn Gerber (Zoological . (Zoological Glenn Gerber Cyclura carinata Cyclura less than 5% of its historic range and at least Dean. An MOU was signed between UWI and UWI between signed was MOU An Dean. on four small This protected islands. program ters and the initiation of biological surveys on the ts in Hellshire/Goat Islands. Major new initiatives initiatives new Major Islands. Hellshire/Goat in ts ered on establishing additional iguana populations via via populations iguana additional establishing on ered ng of translocated populations will be presented along along presented be will populations translocated of ng and over 200 hatchlings may have successfully emerged. emerged. successfully have may hatchlings 200 over and Unfortunately, Category 4 Hurricane Dean severely compromised nest site monitoring, and resulted in only 54 hatchlings being measured and PIT-tagged. for Zoo Hope the to taken were these of 40 However, headstarting – and double the free-ranging usual number. tracking radio Rick continued van Veen oversaw the field station repairs necessitated by Hur- ricane are are planned for 2008, including the deployment of other of identification the facilitate to iguanas” “Judas iguana concentrations in the Hellshire Hills. Other focal projects will include a “mega-release” of head- star the Urban Development Corporation, which should ef- conservation cooperative for potential the enhance for Islands. Goat TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS - Gerber - ISLANDS CAICOS AND TURKS Caicos and Turks the for Update Program Conservation Iguana, Society of San Diego). San of Society Turks the species, iguana rock of smallest the of one As and Caicos iguana is among the most vulnerable to invasive predators. Once ubiquitous throughout the and Caicos Turks Islands (TCI), the species now oc- cupies 15 island populations have been extirpated in the past the in extirpated been have populations island 15 30 years due to the spread of introduced mammalian iguana Caicos and Turks the this, of Because predators. is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and has been the focus of an active conservation program since 2000. Conservation efforts have cen- t adult translocation. iguanas from Using large islands mammals, invasive or development from threat under estab- been now have populations breeding additional lished monitor- recent of results and successful very been has i with plans for another translocation in 2008 and an removal mammal feral a establish to efforts on update TCI. for the program popu- Cyclura collei Cyclura pplied Tropical Ecology and pplied Tropical esources), and Peter Tolson (Toledo Zoo). (Toledo Tolson and Peter esources), related to the eradication of invasives on the on invasives of eradication the to related eason. Miguel Garcia, Nestor Pérez-Bu- Nestor Garcia, eason. Miguel in the Hellshire Hills and on the Goat Islands. in and the Hills on Hellshire the Goat Islands. that the number of females nesting in these areas to Álvarez (Department of Natural and Environ- (Department of Natural to Álvarez Conservation and University of Puerto Rico), Al- of Puerto ConservationUniversity and ber Since November 1999, as endangeredraised been have stejnegeri) cornuta (Cyclura iguanas Mona Island part of a headstart program, a recovery effort aimed to increase the number of young individuals in this population. The first group of iguanas was released in 2002 and a total of 135 iguanas have been moved to the wild as of June 2007. Of these, at least three females have nested successfully. In a parallel study, high male-male during territoriality overlap hasgreat show been territories documented male–female while that suggest may finding This season. non-breeding the Island Mona the in observed densities low unusual the exotic by solely explained be cannot population iguana and habitat alteration. mammal predation has doubled since initial monitoring efforts in the early early the in efforts monitoring initial since doubled has 25, exceeded likely area core the in nests Total 1990’s. Invasive Invasive predator control was conducted throughout the period, with over a hundred individual predators Conservation Island NGO the addition, In removed. made a site visit, demonstrated the use of leg-hold traps for cats, and conducted a logistics planning as- sessment Sixteen iguana nests were deposited at the “Upper” and and “Upper” the at deposited were nests iguana Sixteen suggest- (combined), sites nesting communal “Lower” ing Goat Islands. Goat itrago (Center for A itrago (Center Between November 2006 and October 2007,Jamaican theIguana Recovery viable Group a continuedsecuring of goal work the toward lation Update: Recovery Project. Project. Recovery Iguana Jamaican Update: of the (University Veen Van Wilson and Rick Byron Indies). West JAMAICA - Hudson for Wilson for JAMAICA - Hudson Recovery Initiatives for the Mona Island Iguana - - Iguana Island the Mona for Initiatives Recovery the 8th S PUERTO RICO - Garcia RICO PUERTO mental R ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 6 Presently three settlements occur on this 40x7 km 40x7 this on island. occur settlements three Bahamian Presently easternmost the is Mayaguana, Selections) and Steve Conners (Miami Metrozoo). BoobyCay,on Mayaguana.JoeWasilewski (Natural Threats Developing to the Rock Iguana, BOOBY CAY, BAHAMAS - Wasilewski nnaie 25 km 2.5 uninhabited an Cay, Booby sportfishermen. by visits infrequent people. 300-400 Tourismtotal and island of consists and Necker Islands. diversity for introduced satellite populations ongenetic Guanaof analyses recent for and activities these for given be will Updates retreats. iguana monitoring and mapping by and methods mark-recapture using distribution and size population of estimates better establishing on focussed are efforts current program, headstart the continuing to Inaddition 85%. of rate survival average an with wild the to returned been with wild cats. To the date, in over 100 headstarted animals survive have to enough large until raised are they where island, on facility captive a to transferred ally been established whereby juveniles are collected annu- has program headstarting a recruitment, Toincrease feral cats that have effectively eliminated recruitment. by juveniles of predation heavy to due adults, aging portion of the island and composed almost entirely of population on Anegada is now concentrated in a small iguana 1997. The since program conservation active an of focus the been has and List Red IUCN the on EndangeredCritically as listed is iguana Anegada the result, a As carnivores. mammalian introduced from predation and livestock, introduced and humans by reductions due to habitat degradation and loss, caused zation, last the after Island Anegada to restricted became pinguis Bank, Rican Puerto the on widespread Once San Diego) and Kelly Bradley (Dallas Zoo). Cyclurapinguis Conservation Program Update for the Anegada Iguana, ANEGADA ISLAND - Gerber interglacial sea level rise. SinceEuropean coloni- rise. level sea interglacial from nest sites immediately after emergence and emergence after immediately sites nest from the species has undergone further population further undergone has species the . Glenn . Gerber (Zoological Society of 2 island, is physically separated separated physically is island, Cyclura carinata Cyclura 2

by JeffLemm. Utila. Photo bakeri Ctenosaura n iguana, rock the of population only The is approximately 32 kilometers east of the settlements. from Mayaguana by a shallow 200 meter channel and and revisiting thisissueiscriticalnow. the Bahamas National Park system as far back as 1982, in inclusion for proposed been has Cay Booby areas. for an environmental plan and guarantee of protected species introductions. Parameters must be set in place non-native potential and visitation increased through the environment of the area and especially Booby Cay the large-scale development Clearly underway presents a threat to lacking. is plan environmental an overall but “conservation”, and “natural”, wetlands, as massive project. The plan has several areas designated Construction has been ongoing for over a year on this terminal. airport new a and areas, industrial marinas, ing build- master The Mayaguana. developing in billion tus (Rat- present are rats and food for iguanas the with competing hircus) (Capra goats introduced are there high number of feral cats and dogs present. Currently imity latest population estimate is 500. In spite of its prox- the and 1998 since studied been have iguanas These ata ). A U.S. development firm is investing $6 investing is firm development U.S. A rattus). plan includes golf courses, 3000 houses, resorts, houses, 3000 courses, golf includes plan , outside the Turks and Caicos is found on this cay. on , iguanas do not exist on Mayaguana due to the to due Mayaguana on exist not do iguanas , Cycluracari- 7 ISG Newsletter 10(1) • Summer 2007 Cyclura Cyclura ) on South Andros Island. Island. Andros South on ) ). ). cychlura cychlura (Cyclura iguana Andros the for were were observed at 19 sites (63% of 30 sites), while for establishing national parks. Without a formal ely high iguana density and correlating density with density correlating and density iguana high ely ucted to document comprehensive distributional pat- distributional comprehensive document to ucted terns evaluation 2006 a because timely was assessment This of the west side of North Andros Island revealed low information, this Despite area. the in presence iguana prior- a as area the recognize to developing were plans ity assessment of South Andros Island, comprehensive data data comprehensive Island, Andros South of assessment conservation critical identify to necessary lacking were zones across the entire island. Therefore, objectives for this assessment included 1) locating areas of rela- tiv environmental variables, and 2) conducting general herpetofauna surveys to produce species distribution conducted visual encounter surveys from Teams lists. up visited We Creek. Lisbon of south located sites 30 to seven sites per day for 10 to 120 minutes. A total site) per hours person 8.0 to (0.5 hours person 68.3 of was tallied searching for iguanas. Ninety-seven igua- nas recent tracks were observed at another site. No feral isolated The location. any from observed were animals are Andros of area southern the of cays large and small No Andros. North to comparison in pristine relatively non-existent. are pigs feral and areas these in exist roads never have practices logging commercial Additionally, support areas isolated These area. the in initiated been areas are and Bahamas the in remaining pines largest the this on Based iguanas. for priority conservation high of survey and past research, large protected areas should encompass Sandy Cay in South Bight and adjacent Creek. to Grassy Alcorine Cay down ANDROS, BAHAMAS - Knapp - BAHAMAS ANDROS, ( Iguanas for Assessment Ecological Rapid cychlura cychlura Diego). San of Society (Zoological Knapp Charles A 2007 assessment of South Andros Island was con- d Cyclura Cyclura Cyclura Cyclura . . John Iverson inornata populations. The Cyclura and and on Flat Rock Reef Cay Reef Rock Flat on inornata C.c. on Utila. Photo by Jeff Lemm. on Bush Hill Cay were cal- were Cay Hill Bush on rileyi Cyclura based on survey work over the past five years. based on survey work the over past five years. studies of studies ~10 years ago). surveysPopulation of were were collected from all C ls, and growth rates suggest that juveniles reach 20 cm cm 20 reach juveniles that suggest rates growth and ls, Total population size is between 300 and 400 individu- 400 and 300 between is size population Total a SVL (the probable size at maturity) after five years in in females. males and eight years rileyi on Bush Hill Cay in the northern Exumas and nesting significant a experienced has population Cay Alligator decline in recent years, only small juveniles <25 cm That population has also or captured seen. SVL were expanded to nearby Narrow Water Cay, where signs of very large adults was evident. The population on Flat Rock Reef Cay now numbers over 100 iguanas. output reproductive and faster growing are Individuals is similar to the natural Allen Cays populations, but iguanas on Flat Rock are apparently maturing sooner and reproducing more frequently than in the natural populations. population size Preliminary and growth for estimates culated cychlura cychlura inornata analy- genetic for samples Blood conducted. also were sis Exuma Cays Land and Sea (introduced Park in 1988 yclura cychlulra inornata on Alligator and cays, Cay nearby small other in the Cay, Allen on 1990), and (intro- Cays Allen the of north just Cay Reef Rock Flat duced Fieldwork in the Exuma Islands in 2007 with with 2007 in Islands Exuma the in Fieldwork EXUMA ISLANDS, BAHAMAS - Iverson - BAHAMAS ISLANDS, EXUMA Field Field work in 2007 focussed on population surveys of (Earlham College). (Earlham ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 8 Iguana Antillean Lesser the of Conservation and Ecology DOMINICA - Knapp mented the 2008 season. Nine road-killed iguanas were docu- preparefor help recorded to activity and documented flowgene analyses. Twoweresites nesting communal and survivorship, growth rates. Blood samples density, were also taken for future population estimate to study mark/recapturemulti-year a initiate to order in locations these from primarily captured were iguanas 131 of total A Bay. Champagne and Beach Batali at wereidentified locations study primary two and coast island. Iguana surveys were concentrated along the westthe inhabiting delicatissima) (Iguana iguana Antillean to gauge the research and outreach needs of the Lesser Two exploratory trips were taken to Dominica in 2007 Charles Knapp (Zoological Society of San Diego). the speciesonDominica. of survival long-term the ensure to mitigated be must in the region yet factors are present and emerging that ing nest- coastal to migrating while hit were that females season. Five of the killed iguanas were confirmed gravid while hatchlings turtle sea Hawksbill as well as eggs iguana The Abòlò (Ameiva fuscata ) was confirmed consuming AugustHurricaneof passing 17 Deanconfirmed. was the by caused iguanas adult and hatchlings, eggs, of kilometer stretch of road above Batali Beach. Mortality was confirmed consuming adult consuming confirmed was constrictor n Domi-on population iguana the Ingeneral, iguanas. ica appears relatively healthy compared to other islands Male Ctenosaurabakeri sites. The carcasses were discovered within a four a discoveredwerewithin carcasses sites. The Boa (Iguana delicatissima over a three-week span during the breeding the during span three-week a over . PhotobyJeffLemm. ) on Dominica, West Indies. r to assess the status and future of the population resto- results of fieldwork 2005-07 are currently under analysis released iguanas continued in 2007 and the combined the of Monitoring releases. the affect to arose issues of both releases to heath-screen the iguanas: no health ahead team the joined veterinarians WCS founders. 17 representing now Reserve, Salina the into released population. Two hundred and forty iguanas have been with onlytwopaidstaff. operates which program, the to vital be to continues Travel Channel. Local and international volunteerism the on and News, BBC on magazine, Wildlife BBC the in featured being 2007, during exposure media international received program The Re. GreenLight fromWalkers, notably and Coast, Cobalt Schroeders, Programme’swork, the support to continued grants Conservation TrustIRCF.the and Locally, corporate releases came from donors through the Durrell Wildlife 2006-07 the for funding the of majority release. The future for hatchlings diverse genetically generate to t cap- additional 34 comprised release fourth the later active participation from the local community. A year sional iguana by a team of international volunteers and profes- carried into the Reserve, placed, and mapped for each manufactured, retreatwas release A free. set were old years two and one aged iguanas blue 116 of total A Reserve. Salina the into iguanas blue Cayman Grand of release largest and third the saw 2006 December ( Recovery Programme). lewisi Progress in Restoration of a Wild Population of GRAND CAYMAN - Burton ive-bred iguanas, increasing the genetic diversity of the ation effort. Successful captive breeding continues continues breeding captive Successful effort. ation to the Salina Reserve, Grand Cayman. Fred Burton participants coordinated IRCFbythe participants with and (in absentia) Cyclura 9 ISG Newsletter 10(1) • Summer 2007 . . S. S. C. Ximena . L icania hypolecua, , (: ) in the is an endemic iguana from the . The Guatemalan black Guatemalan The deamii. cacia C. palearis is characterized by greater A S. pruinosus S w conservation for this species which is threatened ed to have medicinal effects. We marked 36 iguanas 36 marked We effects. medicinal have to ed ear. Finally, I ear. will Finally, present a brief description of the scientific research supported the IRBS. by scientific research Breeding Breeding Project and of Scientific Work the Iguana for Honduras Utila, Station, and Breeding Research 2007. Pérez (Iguana Monica and Research Year the Utila). Station, Breeding One of the main objectives of the Iguana Research and Breeding Station since its foundation in 1997has been the ex-situ breeding of I will describe the procedures followed by the IRBS and results for this The year. IRBS also monitors bakeri in nature and I will report the results for this y samples which indicated that iguanas are feeding wasps). on , , (crickets, insects and fruits, leaves, tenocereus pruinosus. We obtained nine fecal The habitat of frequency of iguana can be regarded as a keystone species because the like dispersal, seed in role important an play they pruinosus position since it seeds, is and one its trophic of the main prey species for the Guatemalan beaded horridum charlesbogerti Heloderma , Ecology and Use of the Guatemalan Black Iguana Dry Forest of the Motagua Valley. Paola N. Coti de Guatemala) and B. Salazar Valle del (Universidad (Zootropic). Ctenosaura palearis region of the The Motagua ecology Valley. has been little studied, thereby stopping actions that would al- lo and americana, by by habitat loss and illegal trade. The main objective and aspects ecological determinate to is research this of use of the iguana in the dry forest of Valley. Motagua conducted We surveys of the residents of the region. In El Arenal, Cabañas, and Zacapa, we are estimating the abundance of iguanas, feeding habits assessed by fecal analysis, and habitat characterization using the quadrant point method. consid- The are also iguanas but are residents, human used for asfood of a source er (18 female, 17 male) which mainly were found in the cactus was was C. palearis C. palearis, and es. H.h. charlesbogerti Ctenosaura palearis Ctenosaura H.h. charlesbogerti and Ctenosaura Session Ctenosaura H.h. charlesbogerti and 2) the development of a National Strategy for scientific research, education for programs scientific local research, Ctenosaura - Heloderma Project: A Novel and H institutions in charge of biodiversity conservation. conservation. biodiversity of charge in institutions opic and since its beginning has had many partners om Appendix II to Appendix I of CITES protec- ion. Among these partners the most important are the the are important most the partners these Among ion. Some of the most important results of the project since since project the of results important most the of Some its beginning are 1) the transfer of fr villagers, land conservation projects, and development development and projects, conservation land villagers, governmen- by adopted be to policies conservation of tal and lizard beaded Guatemalan the of conservation the its habitat, 3) development and implementation interact of a that villagers the on focused program education directly with area protected private first the of establishment the 4) for conservation of International International Reptile Conservation Zoo Foundation, Fund National the Conservancy, Nature The Atlanta, companies. private some and Conservation, Nature for consists The of project four main fields of action: ap- plied and sponsors to achieve the main goals of conserva- t tion, of generating scientific Guatemalan knowledge endangered the andfor strategies developing conservation eloderma project began in early 2002 as a way and ) charlesbogerti horridum (Heloderma lizard beaded Valley Motagua the of region semiarid the in habitat its critically the 2007, early In Guatemala. northeastern in iguana tailed spiny endangered The The Endangered of Conservation to Approach Successful Ariano- Daniel Guatemala. Northeastern in Reptiles Guatemala). (Zootropic, Sanchez included within the scope of this project. The project project The project. this of scope the within included has being carried out by the NGO Guatemalan Zoo- tr habitat with an extension of 138 acr 10 ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 C soning, rea- hotspots the exemplifies hotspot, Mesoamerican genus The Tennessee). of (UniversityPasachnik Stesha Conservation. and pling Grande and Cayo Cochino Pequeño. Population sam- archipelago consists of two main islands, Cayo Cochino and the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago, Honduras. The Aguana ValleyRio the in only occurring distribution, decline and is vulnerable due to its limited geographic b Carib- the and America Central throughout Iguanids Chad Montgomery (Truman State University). Cayos CochinosArchipelago, Honduras. of History Natural cally Fourprotection. of means fiveCriti-sufficient the of lacks and extinction, with threatened is diverse, is it M . used forC.melanosterna be cannot primers those that indicated hemilopha C. trails). Testing of published microsatellite primers for forest, palm forest edge, and forest edge (such as along areas consisted of beach, low lying vegetation, open Tikecanopy and relatively high direct solar radiation. These were encountered in areas that are categorized by open tion popula- the that indicating Grande, Cochino Cayo (3M:1F) four only captured We analyzed.were data capture all when lizards cm) 5.49 between male (19.63 +/- 7.4 cm) and female (18.29 +/- SVL in difference 1:1. significant from no was There Pequeño. The sex ratio was not significantly different C. melanosterna We captured a total of 121 (61M:60F:1Unk) individual different days between 21-May-07 and 24-August-07. ten on Grande Cochino Cayo on and days different t food. for adults and eggs of exploitation the and destruction habitat including cies, Guatemala. Due to the current situation of these spe- C. melanosterna clade, occurring within Honduras and he black-chested spinytail iguana, exemplifies this this exemplifies iguana, spinytail black-chested he ean are rapidly declining due to anthropogenic factors lade: Insights into Phylogeography, Speciation, Speciation, Phylogeography, into Insights lade: olecular Analysis of the of Analysis olecular it is imperativeis it evaluationimmediate that this of is very low. On Cayo Cochino Pequeño lizardsPequeño Cochino Cayo On low. very is Endangered species of species Endangered was conducted on Cayo Cochino Pequeño on 29 brought forth by Myers broughtforth that in 2000, in al. et , overlapping in range with the with range in overlappingCtenosaura , during our sampling on Cayo Cochino in the in melanosterna Ctenosaura tnsua melanosterna Ctenosaura make up the up make Ctenosaura on melanosterna C. , agement man- critical facilitate to order in performed be clade that find we this, For evaluated. also was Utila on similis gr AMOVAand In addition, habitats. continental and insular both in relatedclosely narrow-rangeoccur four that endemics in resulting speciation rapid through gone has clade this that suggest markers nuclear and mitochondrial the on performed been has analysis phylogenic Molecular species andtheircongenerC.similis. understand the colonization rates and patterns of these the members of the further elucidate the phylogenetic relationship between to needed is analysis molecular Additional time. this to threat a considered be to low too far is ization and ( Iguana Spiny-tailed the of Phylogeography DNA Nuclear and Mitochondrial m organisms, it has been Neotropical considered that Quaternary cli- of evolution and origin the Regarding (Instituto deBiología, UNAM). (University of East Anglia, UK), and Victor Reynoso variation in Neotropical lowland organisms and as as potential drivers tospeciation intheregion. and organisms lowland Neotropical in variation of Pleistocene events influence in the shaping the highlight distribution results of genetic Our Pleistocene. started to differentiate during the Plio-Pleistocene and during the Pliocene, whereas within-species matrilines that suggest times divergence Estimated recolonization. and extinction, expansion, reveal a dynamic demographic history of fragmentation,analyses network Evolutionary contact. secondary of existence of cryptic lineages. Some of them form zones the support datasets Both lowland-distributed taxon. changes affected and structured the populations of this related species, to discern whether Pleistocene climatic study of the Mexican iguana phylogeographic detailed a for data sequence nuclear and mitochondrial used We Pleistocene. the before originated species that suggest views However,other oups previously defined. The potential for hybrid- for potential The defined. previously oups atic changes were a major factor leading to speciation. Related Species. Eugenia Zarza, B.C. Emerson B.C. Zarza, Eugenia Species. Related though hybridization is possible, the occurrence the possible, is hybridization though clade. The results from both from results The clade. melanosterna C. between the island endemic island the between decision making and direct future research. future direct and making decision st data show support for the species the for support show data st Φ C. melanosterna clade and to better , and tnsua pectinata Ctenosaura originated pectinata C. and bakeri C. at bakeri C. C. ) ISG Newsletter 10(1) • Summer 2007 11 we we are preparing a sustainable-use management strongly affects the population, since females with females since population, the affects strongly emic and listed as Threatened in the Mexican Red List List Red Mexican the in Threatened as listed and emic ested every year the population size will substantially will size population the everyyear ested ls. W. Medina-Mantecón, Victor Reynoso (Instituto (Instituto Reynoso Victor Medina-Mantecón, W. ls. imate the finite growth rates of the population (lambda (lambda population the of rates growth finite the imate ation in the Tehuantepec isthmus was done to evaluate evaluate to done was isthmus Tehuantepec the in ation increase. increase. Contrary, if individuals of size class 20-25 cm are harvested, and if hunting the occurs annually, are Simulations considerably. decrease will population wildlife population manage- fundamental to promote ment strategies. its . Most Mexican iguanas are en- are iguanas Mexican Most status. conservation its d NOM-059-2001. In Oaxaca, iguana hunting occurs mainly during the period oviposition in spring, when pregnant females are an appreciated dish. This prac- tice reproductive potential are eliminated, preventing the extinc- local avoid To individuals. new of recruitment tion, and growth, survivorship, of patterns the on based plan from reproduction a hunted severely population. We life-cycle each for probabilities transition the estimated es- to matrix (1965) Lefkovitch a obtained and category t de Biología, UNAM), and E. Vega-Peña (Instituto de Ecología). Nacional popu- iguana spiny-tailed a on analysis demographic A l and matrices, Elasticity and Sensitivity generate 1.1), = rate of simulate the the population growth within the context of various harvesting regimes. Growth rates are very sensitive to changes in juvenile survival and were simulations Computer reproduction. first at age used to explore possible sustainable harvest regimes varying size classes at which iguanas could be hunted that found We periods. hunting between years the and the harvested are only cm 25-40 between classes size if population increases, and that if iguanas are not har- v Sustainable Harvesting of Black Iguana: Matrix Mod- Matrix Iguana: Black of Harvesting Sustainable e . . 2 ) of which iguanas disperse the ssp.) at a height of three meters within within meters three of height a at ssp.) San Francisco Ixhuatán), and Victor Reynoso Reynoso Victor and Ixhuatán), Francisco San Pachycereus Reserve. E.C. Orozco-Sánchez, M. Ctenosaura Reserve. E.C. Orozco-Sánchez, were were females. Mortality increased in March and Carmen Carmen Corona-Varga (Universidad Autónoma opulation opulation Dynamics of and the Use Habitat Tehu- nthepec Isthmus Black Iguana in Cerro Tortuga, C ects: iguanas, anteaters, margay, armadillo, porcupine, porcupine, armadillo, margay, anteaters, iguanas, ects: uga-Iguanas, was formally established on December 5, 5, December on established formally was uga-Iguanas, ion of the first iguana community-municipal reserve in in reserve community-municipal iguana first the of ion the area, near the village of “El Morro” in San Francisco Francisco San in Morro” “El of village the near area, the Tor- Cerro Uma called reserve, The Oaxaca. Ixhuatán, t 2007. The reserve comprises 1472 hectares and pro- t jaguarundi, kinkajou, beaded parrots, lizards, and the Lepus flavigularis, among others. endemic hare, P iguanas were most abundant from November to May. to May. November from most abundant iguanas were alarming, were densities population estimated Monthly the lowest ranging from 0.19 to 1.3 individuals/km Ixhatán, México, and the Implementation First of the del Population dynamics studies were carried out in Cerro Cerro in out carried were studies dynamics Population San Ixhuatán, Francisco Oaxaca, to evaluate Tortuga, a severely seven hunted using population months, of 15 black during iguanas. days/month ten We sampled 100-meter transects. We recorded 326 iguanas with a maximum weight of 2500 grams (males) and 1500 7% adults, were 81% records, all Of (females). grams juveniles, and 12% hatchlings, and most of the sight- ings (Instituto de Biología, UNAM). de Biología, (Instituto Behavioral data showed that iguanas prefer basking in basking prefer iguanas that showed data Behavioral ( cacti indicating burrow, their from distance escape meter six a from registered was activity Most range. home small a noon to 1 pm when temperature ranged between 33- “coquito” called plant a was food Preferred Celsius. 35° ( oiiratarrii niciensis seeds. Fieldwork carried out by our lab attracted the implementa- the inspired and people local of attention t a de Tlaxcala), Mu- R. (Presidencia Antonio Matus-Velásquez, Álvarez-López, R. Ma.L. Martínez-Manuel, nicipa, 12 ISG Newsletter 11(1) • Spring 2008 222-225. ( iguana Antillean Knapp 740-744. 2007(3): Copeia ). inornata cychlura(Cyclura Cays iguana rock Allen the in survival Juvenile 2007. J.B. Iverson, Mamanuca archipelagos, western Fiji. 41:44-50. Oryx Fijian crested iguana Niukula, and E. Strand. 2007. The decline of the endemic Palmeirim, C. Mersai, S. Naidu, A. J.M. Naikatini, P.N. Biciloa, Tuiwawa,B. M. Thaman, Fisher, J. P.S., M. Harlow Herpetology 4:357-363. iguanas, Island Mona Survival, 2007. reproductionand dispersal, headstarted of G 735-740. Iguana, Cay Booby the of status taxonomic the Re-evaluating 2007. Stephen. C.L. and Welch, G.P. M.E. Gerber,J.J., Bryan, arcía, M.A., N. Pérez-Buitrago, A.O. Álvarez, P.J. Tolson. , C. 2007. Ecology and conservation of the Lesser the of conservation and Ecology 2007. C. , Email: [email protected] Blue IguanaRecoveryProgramme Fredric Burton,DeputyChair Email: [email protected] Zoological SocietyofSanDiego Allison Alberts,Co-Chair Recent Literature ylr crnt bartschi carinata Cyclura gaa delicatissima Iguana vitiensis . Applied stejnegeri. cornuta Cyclura . Copeia 2007(3): 2007(3): Copeia . 15600 SanPasqualValleyRoad, Applied AnimalEcologyDivision Zoological SocietyofSanDiego ). Iguana 14(4): 14(4): Iguana ). Escondido, CA92027USA in the Yasawa and ISG ContactInformation http://www.iucn-isg.org Published bythe ISG Newsletter b K of Science2(1):10-17. Andros: a first assessment. Bahamas Naturalist and Journal Knapp, C. 2007. Potential for iguana-based ecotourism on t Frenchthe reptilesof and Amphibians WestIndies:inven- O., M. Pascal,Lorvelec, C. Pavis, and P. Feldmann. 2007. cychlura). Journal ofHerpetology 42(1):46-53. the use of termitaria by the Andros iguana (Cyclura cychlura r Pérez-Buitrago N., A. Sabat, M.A. Garcia, S. Funk, A. Álva- of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 38(3):414-419. iguanas ( topher Ramer,J. Maria,R., T.Reichard, P. Tolson,Chris- M. and Caribbean Journal ofScience43:266-272. the in Turks(Cycluraiguana Caicos and carinata). carinata M 4: 131-161. 4: 365-376. Herpetology Applied stejnegeri). cornuta (Cyclura iguana home range, anddispersal, Natalhabitat use 2007. of hatchlingsSabat. of A. the and MonaN. IslandPérez-Buitrago environment. Applied Herpetology 4:347-355. Island iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri) in an undisturbed ories, threats, and conservation. Applied Herpetology Herpetology Applied conservation. and threats, ories, ez, and O. McMillan.O. and Spatialecology Monaez, 2007. the of erts. 2007. Diurnal and seasonal patterns in corticosterone napp, C.R. and A.K. Owens. 2008. Nesting behavior and Email: [email protected] and Conservation,PuertoRico Center forAppliedTropicalEcology Miguel Garcia,DeputyChair Email: [email protected] Fort WorthZoo Richard Hudson,Co-Chair acDonald, E.A., N.M. Czekala, G.P. Gerber, and A.C. Al- . 2007. Health assessment of free-ranging Ricord’sfree-ranging of assessment Health 2007. . Allison Alberts Tandora Grant Cyclura ricordi Editors: ) in the Dominican Republic. Journal Applied Ecology