ISG Bklt 8(2)
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lewisi, in a disturbed setting on Grand Cayman. 22 J. Herpetology 39(3):402-408. Goodman, R.M. and F.J. Burton. 2005. Cyclura lewisi Iguana Specialist Group Recent Literature (Grand Cayman blue iguana) hatchlings. Herpetologi- cal Review 36(2):176. Newsletter Banbury, B.L. and Y.M. Ramos. The rock iguanas of Parque Nacional Isla Cabritos. Iguana 12(4):256-261. Knapp, C.R. 2005. Working to save the Andros iguana. Volume 8 • Number 2 • Winter 2005 Iguana 12(1):9-13. Bradley, K.A. and G.P. Gerber. 2005. Conservation of the Anegada iguana (Cyclura pinguis). Iguana 12(2):79-85. Knapp, C.R. and A.K. Owens. 2005. Home range and habitat associations of a Bahamian iguana: implications Burton, F.J. 2005. Blue iguana update. Iguana for conservation. Animal Conservation 8:269-278. The Iguana Specialist Group 2005 ISG Annual Meeting 12(2):98-99. prioritizes and facilitates Lemm, J.M., S.W. Steward, and T.F. Schmidt. 2005. ISG Meeting Minutes Burton, F.J. 2005. Restoring a new wild population conservation, science, and Reproduction of the critically endangered Anegada November 6-7, 2005 of blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) in the Salina Reserve, awareness programs that help iguana Cyclura pinguis at San Diego Zoo. International South Andros, Bahamas Grand Cayman. Iguana 12(3):166-174. ensure the survival of wild Zoo Yearbook 39:141-152. iguanas and their habitats. Welcome and Introduction - Alberts & Hudson Durden, L.A. and C.R. Knapp. 2005. Ticks parasit- Pagni, L. and D. Ballou. 2005. Value-added conserva- Thanks were expressed to Chuck Knapp (Univ. of Florida/Shedd Aquarium), izing reptiles in the Bahamas. Medical and Veterinary tion science: outreach activities that support conserva- Sandra Buckner, and the Bahamas National Trust for the extensive planning and Entomology 19:326-328. tion of the Anegada iguana. Iguana 12(2):86-89. organization of a successful ISG meeting and Species Management Workshop Ehrenberger, J. 2005. Pharaoh: a tribute. Iguana for the Andros Island iguana. Special thanks also belong to Mike and Petagay Rupp, E., S. Incháustegui, and Y. Arias. Conservation 12(3):175-176. IN THIS ISSUE Hartman, of Taimo Resort, for the fabulous accommodation, gourmet food, of Cyclura ricordii in the southwestern Dominican Re- Taxon Updates ..........................2 deeply discounted rate, and warm welcome. It was a truly wonderful meeting Goodman, R.M., A.C. Echternacht, and F.J. Burton. public and a brief history of the Grupo Jaragua. Iguana Grand Cayman ......................2 that was enjoyed by all. 2005. Spatial ecology of endangered iguana, Cyclura 12(4): 222-233. Dominican Republic ..............3 Jamaica ................................4 ISG Contact Information Turks & Caicos .....................6 Bahamas ...............................7 Allison Alberts, Co-Chair Richard Hudson, Co-Chair Anegada ..............................9 Zoological Society of San Diego Fort Worth Zoo Fiji ....................................10 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Puerto Rico ........................11 Fredric Burton, Deputy Chair Miguel Garcia, Deputy Chair Central America ..................12 National Trust for the Cayman Islands Department of Natural and Environmental Booby Cay .........................13 Email: [email protected] Resources, Puerto Rico General Reports ......................14 Email: [email protected] Digital Photography Guidelines ..16 http://www.iucn-isg.org Recent Literature .....................22 Left to Right: Rick Hudson, Peter Tolson, Kirsten Hines, Steve Conners, John Binns, ISG contact information ...........22 Stesha Pasachnik, Joe Burgess, Quentin Bloxam, Ricardo Johnson, Jeff Lemm, Byron Wilson, Karen Graham, John Iverson, Allison Alberts, Catherine Stephen, Bruce Weissgold, Miguel Garcia, Jan Ramer, Fred Burton, Tandora Grant, Samantha Addinall, Editors: Tarren Wagener, Joe Wasilewski, Sandra Buckner, and Chuck Knapp. Tandora Grant ISG Newsletter Allison Alberts Published by the Zoological Society of San Diego Applied Animal Ecology Division 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027 ISG Newsletter 8(2) • Winter 2005 USA the iguanas chose to maintain a population density of Grand Cayman - C. lewisi Iguana iguana 2 4-5 iguanas per hectare, in this unnatural setting of a Land purchase fund-raising. Release and monitoring Phylogenetic analysis of the species. Sampling in South 21 single age class surrounded by unpopulated habitat. A of headstarts in Salina. Pre-release health screening. America (entire region particularly Venezuela and Co- second release, of 70 individuals, is scheduled for De- Initiation of hatchling study. Security fence for captive lombia) and Lesser Antilles (Grenadines, St. Vincent, Session 1: Taxon Updates cember 2005, into the same areas currently occupied. facility. Funding to publish recovery plan. Increase Bay Islands, and others). This release will bring the restored population in the captive facility pen space. Comprehensive population St. Lucia - Iguana iguana Salina Reserve to approx. 91 individuals, with repre- (captive and wild) genetic analysis. Remote video cameras. Ongoing education efforts. GRAND CAYMAN - Burton sentation from ten different founder lines. Subsequent releases will require access to the Salina’s southernmost Cuba - C. nubila nubila Central America - Ctenosaura Blue Iguana Recovery Program Update. Fred Burton soil zones. Obtain Cuban blood samples throughout island for Check Simon Stuart’s global reptile assessment. Phy- (National Trust for the Cayman Islands). genetic studies. logenetic analysis of the genus to determine species The studbook continues to be maintained to a high boundaries. Status surveys of the local endemics. It is now 14 months since hurricane Ivan, a category standard by Tandora Grant (San Diego Zoo/CRES), Bahamian Iguanas 4-5 hurricane, tracked along the south coast of Grand and is now informing the program’s release strategy with Educational material: funding for development, imple- Ctenosaura hemilopha Cayman causing catastrophic damage to human prop- a goal to reach representation by at least 20 different mentation, and distribution for general public and Resolution of species issues. erty and livelihoods, and delivering dramatic impacts founder lines in each restored subpopulation by the time schools. Tourism: standardized signs for habitat/species Ctenosaura bakeri to natural environments. Aerial photographs eight each reaches its anticipated carrying capacity. Progress conservation (No Feeding message, etc.) and evaluating Evaluate captive and wild population for hybrids months after the storm show the island’s once extensive to date is on target towards this goal. Three new found- tourist impacts (health, behavior, etc.). Formation of and evaluate diversity of captives. Purchase of land Black Mangrove forests shattered and scarcely begin- ers bred in captivity for the first time in 2005. subgroup to address tourism issue (S. Buckner). ($100,000+++). Visit offshore cays and Cayos Cochi- ning recovery, while the dry forests are beginning to Andros - C. cychlura cychlura nos for evaluate potential for translocation. regenerate a closed canopy despite extensive tree fall. A high infertility rate was observed in nests laid in the Public education initiative. Government involvement The xerophytic shrubland communities which are southern sector of the QEII Botanic Park, where a Ctenosaura defensor in designating protected areas. Full-time educator and habitat to the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana were only new dominant male had taken over a territory of five Establish geographic and taxonomic boundaries. evaluation. Publish recovery plans. lightly impacted, and appear fully recovered. The cap- females, four of which were his siblings. As a result of tive breeding and head-starting facility for the Grand this unusual infertility, only 92 eggs were initially viable Exuma Cays Sauromalus Cayman Blue Iguanas, in the QEII Botanic Park, is from a total of 166 eggs laid in both the captive and Continued monitoring of Pasture Cay. Additional Status survey and phylogenetic analysis. now fully restored and has been further expanded and free-roaming populations. The dominant Park male translocations from Leaf to Pasture Cay. Address the enhanced since the hurricane. was taken back into captivity to allow unrelated males potential tourism impact with education/awareness. Navassa Island to claim this territory for the 2006 breeding season. Survey for habitat suitability. Allen’s Cay - C. cychlura inornata Twenty-three two year-old Cyclura lewisi, originally Survey unauthorized translocations. Identify source slated for release at the time the hurricane struck, were One hundred new hatchling cages were prefabricated Fiji - Brachylophus populations. Assessment of feral animals. Long-term finally released in December 2005, and were radio- and flat-packed in the USA as the result of a three- Consult with Harlow on 2006 priorities. monitoring. Replace signs. tracked with assistance from a team of international month IRCF campaign to secure funds and a manu- volunteers for two months after release (December facturer capable of a customized design in time for the Booby Cay - C. carinata Galapagos 2004-January 2005), and for a further two months August hatch. They were subsequently assembled in Annual monitoring. Remove goats. Priorities unknown. over May and June 2005. After a period of weight loss Grand Cayman by volunteers from the Rotary Club of immediately post-release, the iguanas established home C. rileyi rileyi Grand