Companion guide book to the exhibition the exhibition to guide book Companion “Galápagos” of the Zoological Museum of of Zurich, Switzerland the University os g pa A Gal

GalApagos Darwin Galápagos Volcanic Islands Panama Islands of fire: barren Yet diverse Wolf Pacific Ocean Colombia on Page 5

Ecuador Ship Colonisation through luck and exceptional abilities Peru N on Page 15

Prickly Pear Forest Al ittle world within itself Pinta

on Page 33

Genovesa Marchena Marine Iguana Cliff Tas me yet tressed

on Page 53

Ecuador Volcano Wolf Volcano

Research Camp Santiago

A scientist‘s paradise : Darwin Volcano Daphne Major islands are like test tubes S eymour Norte

Fernandina on Page 65 Baltra Rábida Alcedo Volcano Santa Cruz Goat Island Study and protect Pinzón Bellavista on Page 85 Sierra Negra Volcano Puerto Ayora Isabela Santa Fé Santo Tomás San Cristóbal Appendix Cerro Azul Volcano Puerto Villamil P uerto Baquerizo El Progreso Moreno Travel Tips on Page 100 Wildlife Guide on Page 106 Champion Bibliography on Page 124 Floreana Illustration Credits, on Page 126 Gardner- Gardner- Acknowledgements 100 km Puerto Velasco Ibarra por- por- Floreana Human settlement Española Española Galápagos

Galápagos Companion guide book to the exhibition of the Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, Switzerland

KELLER, L. 1, HAFFNER, M. 1, KOLLER, U. 1 & HOECK, H. N. 2 2012. “Galápagos”. Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, Switzerland

Text Revision: Heide Reyer English Translation: Lilian Dutoit, Anna-Sophie Wendel, Yves-Manuel Méan, Sabine Sonderegger, Aline Jenni, Anja Rosebrock, Mitchell Bornstein Design: Erika Schmuki1, Jürg Stauffer1

1Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich 2Swiss Association of friends of the Galápagos Islands

Printing: Druckzentrum AG, Zürich-Süd, Rainstrasse 3, CH-8143 Stallikon

first edition 2012 second edition 2014

© Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, Switzerland Galápagos

“The Galápagos Islands is one of those places that has literally changed the way that we look at the world. „Galápagos – eines der letzten Paradiese: unberührte wilde Natur, endlose Strände mit hunderten von Having been fortunate enough to visit there myself, I am delighted that so many others can now enjoy and be Seelöwen, Iguanas, Riesenschildkröten und eine grosse Vielfalt von exotischen Vögeln. Meine Lieblingsvögel inspired by the natural treasures found there. I am so pleased that my Foundation for Building Community is sind die Boobies mit ihren herrlich blauen Beinen, die wie angemalt aussehen. working with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos Conservancy and local authorities to address the Hoffen wir, dass uns diese einzigartige Welt erhalten bleibt. Die Chancen stehen gut, gehören die Galápa- huge challenges posed to the natural environment by ecotourism and human settlement on the Islands. I hope gos-Inseln doch zu den World Heritage Sites von UNESCO.“ that their work to create new Eco-pattern books for buildings and infrastructure can ensure that people and Renata Jacobs Nature are in harmony in this very special place.” Member of the board of Jacobs Holding AG, Zurich Founder of the charitable project „Cartoneros y sus Chicos“, Buenos Aires, Argentina HRH The Prince of Wales

“Magma y piedra sin edad ni tiempo en sus recodos palpita la eternidad y emerge la esperanza.” “I travelled from North to South and from East to West, all over the five continents. After thirty years of ex- Tomás Ochoa peditions in the most incredible and inaccessible places, under the sea and above the water, where I filmed Ecuadorian visual artist and studied nature, I can state that I loved Africa for the unique beauty of its terrestrial wildlife and I loved the Great Barrier Reef for its magnificent sea life. But if I had one place to chose, just one place, this would be the Galápagos Islands. It is the only place, where both underwater and terrestrial biodiversity will take you beyond what you could ever dream. And as Charles Darwin wrote: “I am fully convinced.“” Grégoire Koulbanis „Es gibt nur wenige Momente im Leben, die einem für immer in Erinnerung Geographer & Master in Environmental Sciences bleiben. Ein Sonnenaufgang vor einer kleinen Insel auf Galápagos war ein Film Director solcher. Von einem Augenblick zum anderen erwachten tausende von Vögeln – Expedition Leader for the late Captain Cousteau erst wenige, dann hunderte setzten sich in Bewegung und flogen von der Insel weg. Dies war unendlich eindrücklich und ich werde das Bild und die Stimmen der Vögel nie vergessen.“ Reto Ringger President of the board of WWF Switzerland, Founder of Globalance Bank and SAM Group

“Several enjoyable years in Ecuador allowed me and my family the opportunity to discover the Galápagos Islands and their special and unique environment. The preservation of the islands should be supported by all of us for the benefit of future generations so that they may enjoy the diversity of its wildlife and its exquisite beauty.” “Quedé encantada con la belleza natural y el ambiente tan especial de las Peter Brabeck-Letmathe Islas Galápagos. Pocas veces en mi vida me he sentido tan conectada con la Chairman of the Board of Nestlé naturaleza y el universo. Fue maravilloso y me llenó de energía. Llevo ese mágico momento conmigo y desearía que todos pudiesen tener esta ex- periencia.” Patricia Guerra Honorary Consul of Ecuador in Zurich Partner of Meyerlustenberger Lachenal, attorneys-at-law Galápagos Volcanic Islands Marine Iguana Cliff Islands of fire : Tmea yet stressed barren Yet diverse on Page 53 on Page 5

Ship Research Camp C olONISATION through luck A scientist‘s paradise : And exceptional abilities islands are like test tubes on Page 65 on Page 15

Prickly Pear Forest Goat Island A litTLE world within itself Study and protect

on Page 33 on Page 85

Appendix

Travel Tips on Page 100 Wildlife Guide on Page 106 Bibliography on Page 124 Illustration Credits, Acknowledgements on Page 126 Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands Islands of fire: barren Yet diverse

he Galápagos Islands were created by volcanic eruptions, which continue to shape them even today. Only a relatively short time ago, T new habitats for plants and animals emerged – in complete isola- tion – in the middle of the ocean. The islands are located at the equator in the tropics, but the climate is subject to significant seasonal variations, because warm and cold ocean currents meet here and interact with each other. Above all, the region is extremely arid. That's why plants adapted to dry climates predominate. However, the higher an island, the greater the variety of plant communities. These, in turn, provide ideal conditions for land snails, which are herbivores and use the plants for shelter. A single snail species, originating from the South American mainland, evolved into over 60 species on the Galápagos Islands.

4 5 Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands

“... as far as the eye could reach we saw nothing but rough fields of lava, that The crust and the upper part of the earth's mantle (litho- sphere) consist of plates: seven major plates and many small Completely isolated islands seemed to have hardened while the force of the wind had been rippling its liquid ones, which are more or less mobile. The largest plates carry The Galápagos Archipelago is surface [...] About half way down the steep south east side of the Island, a volcano continents such as South America, Africa or Eurasia. Smaller burns day and night; and near the beach a crater was pouring forth streams of lava, completely isolated in the middle of plates can carry islands, such as the Galápagos Islands on the the Pacific Ocean, about 960 km off the which on reaching the sea caused it to bubble in an extraordinary manner.“ – This Nazca Plate. is how Captain Lord Byron described a volcanic eruption in 1825 as he lay at anchor west coast of South America. It consists off­F ernandina during his long journey to the Sandwich Islands. of 19 main islands (larger than 1 sq. km) and many smaller islands as well as numerous islets and rocks. They are spread over more than 120,000 sq. km of ocean and consist of a total land surface of about 8,000 sq. km.

T he temperatures below Volcanic islands the plates are so high that they partially melt the The Galápagos Islands are of volcanic rock. This subter­ranean origin. On Isabela and Fernandina, molten mass is called some volcanoes are still active. The magma. As soon as it is westernmost island, Fernandina, is expelled to the surface of the centre of volcanic activity. Below the earth, it is called lava. it, a magma chamber of molten rock is located deep down in the earth’s NP interior. This hotspot is the origin of the Galápagos Islands. v The heat of the magma melts the earth’s surface crust, causing a volcanic eruption on the HS ocean floor. u Hot magma presses into the fissures of the w– y With every eruption, new layers of u v w x Nazca Plate (NP) and creates chambers close to lava increase the size of the volcano until it The Nazca Plate (NP) moves above the fixed the surface. breaks the ocean surface to form a new island. Islands in motion u hotspot (HS), the magma chamber. The Galápagos Islands are located on the Nazca Plate, which moves towards v On its journey atop the Nazca Plate, the South America at a rate of about 6 cm volcano gradually loses its connection to the per year. While the islands move, the magma chamber and becomes extinct. hotspot – the origin of the volcanic w The magma chamber creates a new volcano. islands – stays in the same place. x The old island is eroded mainly by wind and weather, causing it to decrease in size until it NP disappears from the ocean surface. u v w x y 6 7 Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands In comparison, Young volcanic islands Madagascar has A typical: tropical islands with a dry climate The Galápagos Islands are between existed for more than The dry climate on the Galápagos Current) from the Antarctic and the 35,000 and 4 million years old. It is 100 million years Islands is very atypical of the tropics. Equatorial Undercurrent (Cromwell dur­ ing this period that evolution and the Alps are The same can be said of the warm Current) from the deep sea. Together about 35 million years occurred and new species developed. old. season between January and May with they are responsible for the cool, dry There are also sunken islands up to frequent, heavy rains, and of the cool season. The Panama Current brings 2,500 m below sea level that are proba- and very dry season between June and warm tropical water from Central bly about 5 to 14 million years old. The December with only little precipitation America and affects the warm season. most likely scenario is that evolution is evidence s­ uggesting that some of in the island lowlands. This anomaly The little precipitation that does Read more about occurred on these islands while they today’s species have ancestors that go can be explained by the ocean currents occur during the dry season is a light evolution were still above sea level. In fact, there back more than 3 to 4 million years. that meet and interact here in the drizzle called garúa, which often stops on page 70 Pacific Ocean. Two currents carry cold around noon. water: the Peru Current (Humboldt The Nazca Plate moves southeast over the largest volcanoes are located in the northwest. Estimated age of islands hotspot, the origin of the volcanic islands. The On the islands of Isabela and Fernandina, there in millions of years oldest islands with the lowest elevations can are still some active volcanoes. The last volcanic u Fernandina 0.035 –0.07 be found in the southeastern part of the archi- eruptions took place in 2008 (Cerro Azul volcano v Isabela 0.5 –0.8 pelago, whereas the youngest islands with the on Isabela) and in 2009 (on Fernandina). w Santiago 0.8 –1.4 x Rábida 1.3 –1.6 y Pinzón 1.3 –2.7 Hotspot with magma chamber z Santa Cruz 1.1 –2.3 active volcano (last eruption) { Floreana 1.5 –2.3 sunken islands 1928 | Santa Fé 2.9 –2.9 } San Cristóbal 2.4 –4.0 1991 ~ Española 3.0 –3.5 approx. 1982 1150 1813w 1906 u 2009 x “El Niño” – both a blessing and 1993 y z a curse 2005 | } At irregular intervals about every 3 to 2008 6 years, significant changes in ocean cur- v rent conditions lead to a much warmer { and rainier season called “El Niño”. “El ~ N Niño”, which is Spanish for the Infant Jesus, is known by this name because the phenomenon is the strongest at Christ- mas time. “El Niño” is both a blessing and a curse: in the interior of the island, it leads to times of plenty, but it has severe consequences for the sea and the coastal areas. For example, the rising sea level floods bird breeding sites and the nesting grounds of sea turtles and Marine Iguanas. In 1982 and 1983, the water temperature became so warm that it caused the death of most of the green algae on which Marine Iguanas mainly feed. As a result, the populations of this Read more about In 1968, the crater floor ofL a Cumbre volcano on the started to form in the northern part of the crater. species declined dramatically. Marine Iguanas island of Fernandina sank by 350 m. In 1988, a lake (dotted line: level of the crater floor before 1968) There are also very cold and dry sea- on page 60 sons, which are called “La Niña”. and page 79 8 9 Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands Greater plant diversity on high islands

Most of the islands are not high cause it rains there more often: the air and have a very dry climate. Only in higher areas is cooler, so the clouds plants that are highly adapted to that gather there cool down, causing drought can be found on such islands. precipitation. However, on very high However, on high islands, there are islands another dry zone exists above up to five different zones with differ- the clouds. ent plant communities. These differ The various zones do not run par- from each other in the amount of allel to each other around the islands ˜y water they need. In the lowlands, the and they are not the same in all areas. climate is very dry; only plants that For example, the dry zones in the are adapted to drought can survive southeastern part of the islands are here. In higher zones, the air is more rather narrow, because clouds accu- humid, and there are more plants that mulate mostly on this side, leading to need moisture. The reason why the more frequent rainfalls even at lower air is more humid higher up is be- elevations.

˜y At the top, in the High-altitude Dry Zone, ˜x The Humid Zone is the only zone with regular for the most part the same plants occur as in the rainfall, and plant growth is mostly lush. The dominating low-altitude Dry Zone: cacti, grasses and shrubs. ˜x plant here is the “sunflower tree” (Scalesia), while shrubs also grow on some islands. In higher regions, mosses and ferns can be found as well, for example the Galápagos In the Transition Zone, the climatic conditions tree fern, which can grow to more than 3 m in height. ˜w are both dry and humid, which is why drought- The trees are literally overgrown by epiphytes, which tolerant plants can be found as well as evergreens. turn brown during the dry season. Only seven islands are The trees are covered with epiphytes (“air plants”), high enough to have a Humid Zone. and the ground, if the soil quality allows, is high island, about 1'500 m carpeted with grasses, mosses and ferns.

˜w

low island

Southeast Northwest

˜v ˜u The Coastal Zone only provides habitat to ˜v The Dry Zone is the largest in terms of surface, plants which can tolerate high salinity, such as harbouring the largest number of plant species. mangroves. Most cacti grow here.

Epiphytes, or “air plants”, usually grow on trees, where they benefit from the light as there is hardly any shade. Since it is more difficult to ensure a supply of water and nutrients without contact to the ground, epiphytes have adapted to this situation in numerous ways in the course of evolution. For example, they collect rainwater with dense leaf rosettes or use bird- nest-like root networks in order to maximize the surface and absorb what few nutrients are available. ˜u 10 11 Volcanic Islands Volcanic Islands Plant diversity means snail diversity Gastropods, more commonly cover. The greater the plant diversity, known as snails and slugs, are not the greater the variety of habitats for among the most spectacular creatures snails and slugs. This is why more and therefore hardly attract the atten- gastropod species have evolved on tion of Galápagos travellers. However, high islands than on low islands, if they looked closely, they would find because high islands have more as many as 118 species. vegetation zones. One example is the Terrestrial gastropods depend on genus Bulimulus, which does not even plants for nutrition as well as for have a common name.

Bulimulus, the inconspicuous record holder Land snails of the Bulimulus genus are small and inconspicuous, with a shell less than 3 cm long and white to dark brown colouring. However, with over 60 species, this genus makes up more than 75 % of endemic land snail species, that is, land snail species that exist exclusively in Galápagos. Thus, it exhibits the highest degree of adaptive radiation (species diversification) of all animals in the archipelago.

Read more about Read more about adaptive evolution radiation on page 70 Highly successful ancestor on page 37 The genus Bulimulus includes there to Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal a total of 162 species and is found and the other islands. Almost every exclusively in Galápagos and South island was initially populated by just America. There is evidence to suggest one or two species, and these are that all Bulimulus snails in Galápagos the ancestors of all the other species originated from a single mainland that developed on each island in the snail species. Española, one of the course of evolution. In this way, Bu- oldest islands, was first populated limulus snails populated all the main by a single species; now there are 16. islands and were very successful in From Española, the Bulimulus snails adaptive radiation. They can be found found their way to Floreana and from in all vegetation zones. 12 13 Ship Ship Ship Colonisation through luck and exceptional abilities

he colonisation of remote oceanic islands requires exceptional abil- ities but is also a matter of luck. Firstly, plants and animals have T to survive the difficult journey, secondly they have to encounter islands in the vast ocean, and finally they have to be able to cope with the living conditions on these islands. Only relatively few succeed, so the number of species on such isolated islands is always limited. The Galápa- gos Islands are home to several invertebrates, birds and reptiles, but only a few mammals and no amphibians. However, under the influence of the living conditions on the islands, new species evolved, unique species that don't exist anywhere else in the world. It's no wonder that it was the Galápagos Islands where Charles Darwin made the observations that an- swered his lifelong question “What is the origin of new species?” Humans populated Galápagos relatively late. The inhospitable cli- mate and the lack of fresh water were too much for all but the most intrepid, and real settlement only began after 1832. Thanks to this fact, a major part of the unique natural environment has been preserved. How- ever, since 1980 it has been seriously affected by the rapid growth in population and tourism.

14 15 Ship Ship “On several parts of the shore there was drift- Read more about wood of a larger size than any of the trees that A small ship changes the world’s view of itself nature grow on the island; also bamboos and wild The Beagle was 27 m long and from them caused a huge controversy conservation sugar canes ...”, wrote Captain James Colnett 7 m wide and carried 74 men. The when they were published. His obser- on page 85 when he arrived in Galápagos in 1793 while tourist yachts that cruise the waters vations gave concrete shape to an idea Read more about exploring for new whaling areas for English of the Galápagos Archipelago today that had engaged thinkers from time research whalers. He drew the first detailed maps of are approximately equal in size and immemorial: that the earth’s living on page 65 the islands and wrote down his observations accommodate some 24 people. This beings adapt to their environment of plants and animals. He described Marine Iguanas as small and comparison brings home the terribly and change. This theory contradict- sooty black, “which, if possible, heightens their native ugliness. In- cramped conditions on the Beagle. ed the religions of the time, which deed, so disgusting is their appearance that no one on board could And for a voyage lasting four years defined species as unchanging. be prevailed on to take them as food.” Colnett is also said to have and nine months! Darwin, who was The fact that Darwin landed in established the legendary “Post Office Barrel” on the island of Flore- often seasick and sometimes only ate Galápagos was an important reason ana, a wooden barrel nailed to a stake that whalers used as their biscuit and raisins, wrote to his sister: to protect the islands. In 1959, they “post office”. Tourists continue this tradition even today. “I loathe, I abhor the sea, and all were declared a national park and in ships which sail on it.” 1978 UNESCO recognised them as a The Beagle may have been small World Heritage Site. To this day, the and cramped, but her impact on Galápagos Islands are a subject of history was enormous. The young intense research. Charles Darwin’s observations of nature and the conclusions he drew Young people with a big responsibility

When Charles Darwin decided to join the expedition around the world, he was only 22 years old. At 26, Captain FitzRoy was not much older. What a responsibility for such young people! But the Royal Navy trusted them, and they were right to do so. The Beagle, her young captain and the even younger natural scientist wrote world history.

HMS is the abbreviation for “His/Her Majesty’s Ship” or “His/Her Majesty’s Sloop”. In the rating system of Robert FitzRoy Charles Darwin warships, a “sloop” was an unrated naval ship. Read more about Charles Darwin HMS Beagle Charles Darwin visits four of the Galápagos Islands on page 69 The most famous ship that ever lay Galápagos Archipelago. The surveying On 16 September 1835, Charles plants and animals such as mocking- at anchor in Galápagos was a sailing of the islands took five weeks. Charles Darwin set foot on the island of San birds and Darwin’s finches, which were ship of the Royal Navy: HMS ­Beagle. Darwin, who considered himself a Cristóbal. This was the beginning of shipped to England in boxes and later Equipped with the very latest in “born naturalist”, though he was still his five-week stay in the Galápagos Ar- became an important basis for his measuring instruments, she sailed the looking for his life’s purpose, was also chipelago, during which he also visited famous evolutionary theory, which he globe for five years (from 1831 to 1836) on board. He was only 22 years old Floreana, Isabela and Santiago. His job published in his book On the Origin of on behalf of the British Admiralty to when Captain Robert FitzRoy invited was to explore the land, and the “born Species in 1859. Read more about survey countries, islands and coastlines him, a “well-educated and scientific naturalist” did so with passion and dili- the Origin of and to develop navigation charts. In the person”, to accompany him on his long gence. Darwin perceived the land with Species autumn of 1835, she anchored off the journey. all his senses and collected numerous on page 68 16 17 Ship Ship It is estimated that almost two thirds of the more O nly few can cross the ocean than 500 endemic plant species were brought to Animals that manage to colonise reptiles, birds, invertebrates and a few the Galápagos Islands as seeds or spores by birds, the Galápagos Islands from the South mammals. Amphibians, however, have many by wind and only a tiny number by ocean American mainland must possess no chance of surviving the long voyage currents. certain abilities. First they have to be across the sea. They need fresh water able to cross almost 1,000 km of ocean, to produce the layer of mucus that and once there they have to endure coats their delicate skin. Without this the island climate with periods of protective layer, they would simply extreme drought. Only few animals dry out. have these abilities. Among them are How do animals get from the mainland to the islands?

The ancestors of the Galápagos Fur Seal Amphibians, however, would not survive such a Read more about Read more about Read more about Arctocephalus galapagoensis swam voyage even though they are also poikilotherms. introduced endemic rice rats to the islands from South America The saltwater would dry them out completely. The animals species on page 22 on page 87 on page 34 with the ocean currents. Snouted Treefrog, which can be found on the islands today, was brought to the islands by human trans- few fresh-water fish species on the islands. However, T he ancestors of the Waved Albatross Phoebas- port. this means of transport is probably quite successful tria irrorata flew long distances. Such an arduous journey is almost impossible for between the islands themselves. This is how the fish mammals, as well. Mammals are homeothermic and in the crater lake on Fernandina probably got there, By muscle power By rafting on ocean currents have to keep their body temperature stable, and to transported in the feathers of frigatebirds. Few animals are able to cross great ocean distances After heavy rains, the swelling rivers in South Amer- do so they need a constant supply of food and fresh under their own power. Migratory birds from North ica can wash uprooted trees and clumps of plants water. One of the few mammals that made it to the With humans America regularly come to spend the winter on the into the ocean. From the West coast, these are trans- Galápagos nevertheless is the rice rat. Humans have also been, and still are, a means of Galápagos Islands, and some of them stay. ported out into the Pacific Ocean by the Peru Current transport. When they colonised Galápagos and set- (Humboldt Current). In this way, a tree trunk from On other animals tled on the islands, they introduced several species, Gone with the Wind Ecuador can reach Galápagos within two weeks. For Other animals can also be a means of transport, for sometimes with disastrous consequences for the Winds and air currents are a means of transportation the tree trunk, this is no problem, but to the animals example ducks and seagulls. When such birds land endemic wildlife. Domestic animals such as goats, for very small organisms such as young spiders and riding on it, the voyage is a very risky undertaking, or bathe in the water, fish spawn or fry (young fish) donkeys, pigs, dogs, cats and chickens were intro- very small insects, but also for insect eggs and larvae. exposed as they are to the ocean's salty spray and can get caught in their feathers and thus be carried duced deliberately, while the House Rat, the Brown Read more about Sometimes, strong winds such as hurricanes also lacking any fresh water. to other waters. Only very few fish eggs and fry sur- Rat, and a frog species as well as numerous insects giant tortoises on page 44 bring larger vagrants from Central and North America Usually, only insects and other invertebrates or vive the long flight to Galápagos, so there are only were introduced inadvertently. to the islands. Wind therefore remains as important reptiles such as iguanas and snakes survive such a means for island colonisation today as in the time exhausting voyages. They can endure long periods This Aldabra Giant Tortoise survived the 740 km voyage from the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles in the Indian when the first Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds and without food or water because they are poikilo- Ocean all the way to the eastern coast of Africa, where bats came to the Galápagos. therms. This means that their body temperature it was found in 2004. Apparently, it had swum, as it was is variable: if the outside temperature is low, their Read more about covered with barnacles (like a ship’s hull). This means mockingbirds metabolism slows down so that they can survive a it is possible that the ancestors of the Galápagos giant on page 74 long time without food or water. tortoises swam from the South American mainland to the Galápagos Islands.

18 19 Ship Ship O nly few species on the islands... 2000 The Galápagos Islands, like all other across the sea and are able to cope with oceanic islands on earth, are relatively the extremely dry climate that prevails poor in biodiversity, which means that on Galápagos once they are there. they are not inhabited by a large variety A comparison with Switzerland of plant and animal species. shows that this alpine country, which By way of comparison: although is located much further north, is both the Galápagos Islands and Yasuní inhabited by approximately twice as National Park in Eastern Ecuador many mammalian species as Galápa- belong to the tropics, Yasuní National gos. However, there are over ten times Park is home to 40 times more fresh- as many reptiles on Galápagos as in water fish species, 16 times more mam- Switzerland. Reptiles adapt themselves malian species and more than twice as perfectly to the extremely arid condi- many reptile species, to give just a few tions and have even been able to evolve examples. This huge difference can very into numerous 1500 Read more about likely be explained by the fact that only species on adaptive few animals survive the long journey Galápagos. radiation 1000 on page 37 ▲2,700

Mammals 750 Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fresh-water fish Plants Read more about ... but many in the sea Marine Iguanas on page 60 500 Oceanic islands are not inhabited by of the Galápagos Archipelago particu- 500 a large number of different plant and larly impressive. The most conspicuous animal species as the journey across the marine animals are the sea turtles, the ocean is arduous and the land mass is Marine Iguana as well as the Galápagos m

k limited. In the sea around the islands, Fur Seal Arctocephalus galapagoensis and

.

sq however, the situation is different. Galápagos Sealion Zalophus wollebaeki,

There, the ecosystem is very rich in which are both eared seal species. 250 biodiversity, i.e. it is home to countless The high productivity of the sea species since the sea is not isolated. surrounding Galápagos has a positive More than 500 fish species, over 50 impact on the land. Marine animals shark and ray species, approximately 900 such as sea lions, Marine Iguanas or different bivalve and gastropod molluscs, sea birds, which spend part of their more than 200 sea star, sea urchin and lives ashore, provide terrestrial plants

umber of species per 10,000 sea cucumber species as well as over 200 and animals with nutrients, which they N 0 crustacean species make the marine life bring from the sea to the land. 0 Galápagos Yasuní Switzerland Galápagos: The Snouted Treefrog is an intro- Although the Galápagos Oceanic islands such as the Galápagos Islands, more difficult the colonisation of a particular is- duced species. Islands are located in the Hawaii, Iceland, the Canary Islands or the Azores land. Continental islands such as Great Britain, Yasuní National Park: Species discovered so far. tropics, there are no palm- have never been connected to the continental Elba or Sumatra, however, were connected to the It is very likely that there are many more lined beaches. The only palm mainland, i.e. no land bridge has ever existed. mainland a long time ago and could therefore mammals and fish than stated in the figure. trees on the islands are found Colonisation of these islands by terrestrial easily be colonised by terrestrial animals from in the populated areas, and animals has therefore always been difficult.T he the continent. they have been planted and greater the distance to the closest continent, the grown by humans.

20 21 Ship Ship F ew mammals on land N on-native rodents Only very few terrestrial mammals today considered a subspecies of the Besides rice rats, whose ancestors “rafted“ to the duced by humans: the Black Rat Rattus rattus, the were able to successfully cross the Eastern Red Bat. islands millions of years ago, four other types of Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus, the House Mouse Mus long distance from the mainland Furthermore, there are four species rodents live on the islands, all of which were intro- musculus and the Guinea Pig Cavia porcellus. across the open ocean and then colo- of rice rats. Their ancestors came nise the climatically hostile Galápa- across the ocean on pieces of drift- gos Islands. wood, and split into several species, Among them are two North four of which still exist today. Distribution of rice rats Consequently, there are only six American bat species: the Hoary Bat Fernandina terrestrial mammal species on the Lasiurus cinereus and the Eastern Red Fernandina Rice Rat Nesoryzomys narboroughi Galápagos Islands today. Bat Lasiurus borealis. The Galápagos Common all over the island thanks to the absence of Black Rats and House Mice; very Bat Lasiurus borealis brachyotis is inquisitive and not shy. Fernandina Galápagos Mouse Nesoryzomys fernandinae First recorded through bones from owl pellets in 1979 and declared extinct soon E ven rodents are few in number thereafter. First living specimens found in 1995 near the volcano summit, where they are threatened by possible volcanic eruptions. There are over 2,000 rodent species in the world, which makes them the Santiago largest order of mammals. Switzerland Santiago Galápagos Rice Rat Nesoryzomys swarthi is home to around 25 rodent species, First recorded in 1906, described and declared extinct in 1938, rediscovered in 1997. while in Germany there are around Locally common in the arid zone in the north, where it presumably has an advantage over 28 rodent species. On the Galápagos the otherwise dominant Black Rat because it is adapted to extreme drought. Islands only rice rats exist, and five of the original nine species are extinct. Factors threatening rice rats are com- petition by Black Rats and predation Santa Cruz by cats. EXTINCT Darwin’s Galápagos Rice Rat Nesoryzomys darwini First recorded in 1906, last recorded in the 1930s. Extinction coincides with the introduction of Black Rats. Santa Cruz and R ice rats: nocturnal and adapted to drought Baltra EXTINCT Santa Cruz Rice Rat Nesoryzomys indefessus Rice rats have adapted exceptionally Last recorded in 1934; nothing is known about their way of life. well to the dryness of the islands. They eat mainly the fruit and other parts of prickly pears, which provide nutrition as well as water. Rice rats are usually nocturnal, which is why they go largely unnoticed by tourists.

San Cristóbal EXTINCT Galápagos Rice Rat Aegialomys galapagoensis Discovered by Charles Darwin in 1835; since then, only document- Isabela ed through prehistoric bones. Presumably extinction caused by and Rábida introduced animals such as Black and Brown Rats. EXTINCT Fossilised remains of three extinct rice rat species which have not yet been described. Santa Fé T he Galápagos Rice Rat on the island of Santa Fé Galápagos Rice Rat Aegialomys galapagoensis is a very inquisitive creature: researchers have to Locally common, especially in the arid zone, as there have never leave their tents open in order to keep the rats been any Black Rats. Numbers have increased since the extermina- from gnawing their way through the fabric. tion of goats in 1971.

22 23 Ship Ship

History 1793–1870 The whalers decimated the whale popu- lations in their quest for whale oil, which discovery and exploration of the islands was used to light lamps, even street lamps (and which was later replaced by petrole- the Incas and a Spanish bishop um). The eared seals were hunted almost to extinction for their highly prized fur. 15th century The oral traditions of the Incas mention “Islands of fire”. It is The giant tortoises were loaded on ships not clear whether the Galápagos Islands are meant by this, by the hundreds as food supply. In 1820, but the Incas were possibly the first visitors to the islands. a whaling ship carried 360 tortoises on board. In 1823, another ship carried 5,000 1535 This year marks the official discovery of the Galápagos seal skins. As many as 200,000 tortoises Islands by Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama. may have been killed by whalers in the On his way from Panama to what is now known as Peru, his course of the 19th century. ship was swept off course by ocean currents. As he was run- ning out of water supplies, he anchored off the uncharted 1813 Captain David Porter was sent from the United States to destroy islands. The search for drinking water was arduous: de Ber- the British whaling fleet. He succeeded by rummaging through langa’s men were reduced to squeezing water from cactus the letters he found in the “Post Office Barrel”, which supplied pads; two men and ten horses died of thirst before water him with important information. He operated from the Galápa- was found. In his report to the King of Spain, de Berlanga gos Islands for six months and also made field observations. provides the very first description of giant tortoises and He realised that the islands were changed by volcanic activity iguanas. He also highlights, like many travellers after him, and discovered that Fernandina and Isabela were the youngest how barren the landscape is and how tame the animals are. islands and San Cristóbal and Española the oldest.

Pirates and buccaneers 1835 Charles Darwin arrived in the Galápagos Archipel- ago on the British sailing ship HMS Beagle, which 1593–1710 Pirates and buccaneers, who were sup- sailed around the world to map the coastlines. The ported by their home states, used the observations he made during his five-week stay on uninhabited islands as a hideout and four islands set part of the groundwork for his book source of food. They took giant tor- On the Origin of Species, published in 1859. toises on their ships as a living meat supply, where the animals wasted away 1905–1906 The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) con- until they were eaten. When tortoises ducted the first large research expedition: 8,691 birds and became rare, the pirates released goats 264 turtles and tortoises were collected from 10 islands, as onto the islands to act as their new well as numerous other animals and plants. They formed meat supply. the basis of the CAS specimen collection. The CAS contin- ues to conduct research projects in Galápagos even today Whalers and scientists and uses the specimens for research. 1744 The Spanish explored the Galápagos Islands and gave them 1959 The “Charles Darwin Foundation” names. was established on the island of Santa Cruz, 100 years after On the Origin of 1789 First scientific expedition under the Spanish flag. Later, Species had been published. smaller expeditions were carried out repeatedly. They were mostly topographic surveys with a view to mapping the 1964 Opening of the “Charles Darwin Re- islands. In order to do this, scientists and even whalers search Station” on the island of Santa recorded their field observations. Cruz. In the 17th century, the gold on Spanish ships times captains on behalf of their government, attracted many buccaneers and pirates to the sometimes pirates hungry for gold. But the raids S ince 1959, intensive international research has Pacific. Buccaneers were untypical pirates: were not always successful. In 1684, British buc- been conducted on the Galápagos supported by their home states, they captured caneers captured a ship in the hope of finding Islands. enemy ships on the high seas. Some of them gold – only to find eight tons of quince jam! Read more about trimmed their sails to the wind and were some- research on page 65 Construction of the “Charles Darwin Research Station” 1961

24 25 Ship Ship Late settlement and low population density History In 1860, there were already 300,000 people living were populated by humans relatively late, and even on Mauritius, a volcanic island of only 1,865 sq. km. on Santa Cruz (986 sq. km) the population density is late human settlement Today, the population is at 1.3 million people. Mau- low. Around 15,000 people live on Santa Cruz, that ritius is part of the Mascarene Islands located east of is to say about 60 % of the total population of the settlement attempts and prison colonies Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Compared to this Galápagos Islands. Accordingly, population density and other tropical islands, the Galápagos Islands is about 15 people per sq. km. 1807 The Irish sailor Patrick Watkins, who was marooned on B y way of comparison: populated since today’s population today’s population den­ Floreana was probably the first true settler on the Galápagos Today’s population density per sq. km sity per sq. km on the Islands. He cultivated vegetables, which he traded with whal- density in Austria: most populated island ers for rum or money. In 1809, he fled to the mainland in a approx. 100, in stolen whaling ship and ended up in prison soon thereafter. Switzer­land: approx. Galápagos 1832 3 15 (Santa Cruz) 190, in Germany: 1832 Hawaiï between 48 563 (O'ahu) Ecuador took possession of the Galápagos Archipelago and approx. 230, and in 200–800 AD called it “Archipiélago del Ecuador”. Great Britain: approx. Soon, a certain number of people settled on the islands, Mascarenes 1638 466 629 (Mauritius) 280 people per sq. km. but when political and other prisoners as well as prostitutes were sent to the remote islands, the settlements developed into prison colonies.

1850–1860 The Galápagos Islands were considered to be an “ideal” prison camp. The long distance to the mainland makes it almost impossible to flee, and it was hoped the prisoners would soon die from lack of water and food. Nonetheless, a few prisoners successfully captured a whaling ship and fled. When they arrived in Guayaquil in Ecuador, 28 people were killed. This event marks the end of the prison era on the Galápagos Islands.

1926–1929 A couple of Norwegian whalers who were once stranded on Galápagos managed to fill their fellow countrymen with enthusiasm for the islands. In 1926, many Norwegians came to the Galápagos Islands and established a village on Floreana and another on Santa Cruz. However, the farming conditions proved to be so harsh that most of them soon returned to their homeland.

1929–1934 A German couple settled on Floreana with the absurd idea of living in a kind of Garden of Eden, far away from S pared from the fate of classical tropical islands civilisation. Like-minded people, but When the Dutch began to settle on Mauritius Island nise the islands. This was a disadvantage for human also shady characters, followed them. in the Indian Ocean, they came upon a true tropical settlement, but a great advantage for nature. Thanks Floreana soon played host to a great paradise: wonderful, endless tropical forests that in to these conditions, Galápagos was spared the fate deal of cruel intrigues. People disap- their eyes made for excellent sugar cane plantations. of classical tropical islands, and the original flora and peared without a trace or died under Clearing the forests went on and on and on, until fauna largely survived. However, the great number mysterious circumstances. Finally, only 250 years later most of them had been destroyed. By of imported animals and plants as well as a rapid one German family remained. that time, over 50 % of the endemic land bird spe- growth of population and tourism is threatening this 1946–1959 cies (i.e. that were unique to the island) had become World Heritage site, which is now in need of massive Once again, Ecuador established a prison colony that soon extinct, notably the flightless Dodo. conservation efforts. turned into a sort of concentration camp. In 1950, the police Read more The first settlers on the Galápagos Islands had a very commander forced the prisoners to erect a pointless wall about nature different experience. The extremely dry climate and called the “Wall of Tears”. In a revolt in 1958, a prisoner fled conservation scarce fresh water supplies made it very hard to colo- to the mainland in a captured yacht. International pressure in on page 85 the aftermath caused the prison camp to close down. 26 27 Ship Ship History T he Cruz family, successful settlers Failed industrialisation In 1939, the Ecuadorian Eliécer Cruz came to the Ga- Education was of great importance to him. With the lápagos Islands for the first time. Born and bred in little money they had, he bought books and com- 1860–1878 Ibarra, he had studied at the University of Quito and piled an impressive library over time. He helped his Various entrepreneurs unsuccessfully tried harvesting orch- was now in search of a life in nature and freedom. wife with the birth of all of their 12 children in their illa weeds on a commercial basis for the production of dyes. He married Emma Bedong in 1944 and moved with house on Floreana. At the time, there were no medi- One of them established plantations on Floreana, where he her to Floreana. On their little farm, a finca called cal facilities on the islands. Some of their children forced prisoners to work. Eventually, he was killed, and the “Las Palmas”, they cultivated coffee and potatoes. live on the Galápagos Islands to this very day, where island became deserted once again. Nobody was willing to Mrs Cruz produced jam from oranges and guava fruit they work to protect the unique biodiversity. One of return to this “cursed island”. (guayaba). They socialised with the native fisher- their sons, Claudio Cruz, still manages his parents’ men and Eliécer taught them how to read and write. farm on Floreana. 1879–1940 On San Cristóbal, a businessman built an agricultural centre and called it “El Progreso”. He exported cowhide, turtle oil and fish oil as well as sugar cane to Guay- aquil in Ecuador. He established a true terror regime and was eventually killed by his workers.

Military base and ship-based mass tourism Considerable growth of population and tourism The island of Baltra received its name from the American military Until the 1970s, the population on the inhabited is- 1941–1945 During the Second World War, Ecua- base during the Second World War. lands grew only slowly, but since 1980 the resident 25,000 160,000 dor allowed the USA to build a military The base was called “Base Beta population has been rising sharply. This trend corre- airbase on Baltra in order to monitor the Beta”. In radio communication, the lates closely with the growth of the tourism industry. 140,000 Panama Canal. After the war, the airbase abbreviation “B-3” was used, which In search of work in the tourism sector, the people of 20,000 was handed over to Ecuador. translates to “B-tres” in Spanish. 120,000 This was transformed into Baltra. Ecuador virtually flooded the islands. Between 1990 1959 and 2001, the resident population doubled. Today, the 100,000 First commercial flights. population of the Galápagos Islands numbers about 15,000 30,000 residents, of whom 1,800 are temporary and 80,000 1969 Begin of ship-based mass tourism. 1,500 are irregular residents. Additionally, there are 10,000 more than 180,000 tourists per year. Tourism accounts 60,000 1970 Regular flights to and from Baltra. for more than half of the entire regional economy of 40,000 5,000 2011 the Galápagos Islands and makes it the wealthiest 185,028 tourists visited the Galápagos region of Ecuador. The growth of the population and 20,000 Islands within a year. the tourism industry, however, present a major chal- 0 lenge to preserving the unique flora and fauna of the 0 esident population esident

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 ourists Galápagos Archipelago. R T

28 29 Ship Ship

30 31 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Al ittle world within itself

guanas grazing on the ocean floor, blood-drinking finches, tortoises as heavy as ponies, flightless cormorants, penguins at the equator, I daisy trees… the Galápagos Islands abound with species that are to be found nowhere else on earth. Specialists call them endemic species. Darwin perceptively referred to the islands as “a little world within itself”. The ancestors of these plants and animals came over the ocean from the mainland. They arrived in an environment that was different from their land of origin, with different food, different enemies and a different climate. In order to survive here, they had to adapt and change. This process of change is called evolution. The endemic species of the Galápagos Islands are testimony to evolution. Endemic species are like a history book that traces the course of evolution. If endemic species become extinct, we lose an important part of our earth’s history.

32 33 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Animals and plants are endemic Madagascar and the surrounding (from Greek, “native”) if they are islands (over 100 species), gorillas Endemic species – testimony to evolution found exclusively in a certain only exist in Central Africa, and The large number of endemic spe- were able to survive. All the others be- restricted area. These areas can be Trochulus caelatus, a species of cies on the Galápagos Islands can be came extinct. The survivors conquered large or very small. For example, air-breathing land snail, only lives explained by their location: a group of their new habitat by adapting to the hummingbirds only live in South on Jurassic rock faces south-west of and North America (over 300 Basel (Switzerland). islands located almost 1,000 km off the new conditions, and thus by changing. species), lemurs are only found on mainland. New species evolve particu- Such changes, of course, did not hap- larly fast on isolated groups of islands. pen overnight. Hundreds, thousands, On isolated islands, evolution starts sometimes millions of years were Unusual by nature with the arrival of a few animals and required for this process of change, plants that fly, swim or are carried over which is called evolution. At some The Galápagos archipelago abounds the blood of seabirds, pecking at their the ocean from the mainland. In the point, the ancestors were so different with extraordinary, even bizarre crea- skin until blood is drawn? Why are case of the Galápagos Islands, they from the original arrivals that they tures that can only be found here and there giant tortoises that are so much arrived in an environment that was had developed into new species. And are therefore endemic to Galápagos. larger than continental tortoises, so different from their region of origin because evolution occurred in isolation, Why are there so many endemic spe- large that humans can ride on them? – different food, different enemies, without significant influences from cies? Why are there iguanas that graze And what are penguins doing so far different possibilities for shelter and a the mainland, many endemic species on algae on the ocean floor, while the north, at the equator, when their home different climate. Only those arrivals evolved on oceanic islands, including iguanas everywhere else eat plants on is mainly in the Antarctic? that could find everything they needed the Galápagos Islands. land? Or finches that feed by drinking Read more about Read more about Read more about Read more about giant tortoises the location and settlement evolution on page 44 emergence of the islands on page 18 on page 70 on page 7

Particularly worth protecting Endemic species are like a history of them are particularly at risk. It is book that reveals to us the story of therefore crucial to protect them. evolution. This is why they are of particular interest to biologists, as they help to better understand the process that drives evolution. A prime example of endemic species are the Darwin’s finches found on the Galápagos Islands. Read more about Read more about In addition, species endemic to oceanic Darwin’s nature islands are particularly sensitive and it finches conservation is therefore not surprising that many on page 71 on page 85 34 35 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Read more about Read more about Islands: home to endemic species low species the climate Isolated, large and high: the ideal island for the evolution of endemic species Due to their isolation, oceanic diversity on page 9 In order for endemic species to atively easy for most saltwater fishes to islands are generally poor in animal on page 20 evolve, the arriving animals and plants swim a distance of 1,000 km, so that fish and plant species, but they provide have to find various new environmental species regularly arrive at the Galápa- ideal conditions for the evolution of only in cold areas. They can live here conditions to which they can adapt. gos archipelago and compete with the endemic species. Therefore, oceanic because the ocean temperatures are Large islands that rise high above the sea previous species or even displace them. islands abound with endemic species, surprisingly low in certain areas of the level usually provide these conditions. Under these circumstances, only few which cannot be found anywhere archipelago (e.g. 16–18 °C (60–64 °F) They have more vegetation zones and new species can evolve. Read more about else in the world. This also applies to off the west coast of Fernandina) therefore more varied habitats than flat vegetation zones the Galápagos Islands, where 80 % of compared to other areas at the equator, and small islands. Another important on page 10 land birds, 56 % of insects and 43 % of where sea temperatures are mostly factor is the distance to the mainland. terrestrial plants are endemic. Other above 25 °C (77 °F). The low ocean If the islands are located far enough oceanic islands, e.g. Hawaii, have even temperatures are caused by the cold from a continent, new species may more endemic species, while on the Peru Current (Humboldt Current) evolve and establish themselves without mainland there are much fewer. On the coming from the Antarctic, as well as having to compete with others. Thus, Ecuadorian mainland, for example, less by deep ocean currents that rise to the isolation is important for the evolution than 1 % of all bird species are ende­mic, surface (e.g. the Equatorial Under- of endemic species. This is shown by the even though Ecuador is significantly current, Cromwell Current, on the fact that, among the endemic species on larger than the Galápagos Islands. west coast of Fernandina and Isabela). the Galápagos Islands, there are many It is exceptional that, among the Thanks to these low temperatures, spe- more terrestrial vertebrates (67 %) than endemic species on the Galápagos cies like the Galápagos Penguin Sphe- saltwater fishes (14 %). It is difficult Islands, there are not only typically niscus mendiculus and the Galápagos for terrestrial vertebrates to cross the tropical creatures (e.g. iguanas), but Fur Seal Arctocephalus galapagoensis 1,000 km between the mainland and the also species that can normally be found are able to survive here. islands – only few of them succeeded –, but they had the time to evolve into numerous new species without being disturbed. On the other hand, it is rel-

A daptive radiation – diversity by adaptation Experts speak of “adaptive radiation” The Galápagos Islands present impressive exam- (adaptive = based on adaptation; radiation = ples of adaptive radiation. A period of only two divergence outward from a central point) when to three million years saw the development of a species adapts to new living conditions and 14 Darwin’s finch species, 4 mockingbird species, evolves into various new species in a relatively 15 giant tortoise species, 9 lava lizard species, short time. In other words: when diversity is over 60 Bulimulus snail species, 6 prickly pear created through adaptation. species and 15 daisy tree species. Adaptive radiation takes place in newly emerged habitats that are still unoccupied and have unique environmental conditions. If individuals of a species occupy these new habitats, they have to adapt to the environmental conditions in order to survive. Their descendants change in the A daptive radiation in course of time, and new species evolve from the the Alps: In the course original one. This means that one species splits of only 15,000 years, into multiple new ones – a process that experts 21 whitefish species call “speciation”. Since this speciation is based evolved in the lakes that on adaptation, scientists refer to it as “adaptive were created by retreat- radiation”. ing glaciers at the end of the glacial periods! Read more about Read more about Read more about Read more about Darwin’s finches Bulimulus snails giant tortoises evolution on page 71 on page 12 on page 44 on page 70

36 37 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Woodpecker finches The Woodpecker Finch Camarhynchus pallidus be- haves just like the common woodpecker in many respects: it climbs trunks and branches and pecks holes in them in order to reach the hidden insects. Surprisingly enough, it uses tools (small twigs or cactus spines) to extract them from the holes, un- like the common woodpecker, which uses its tongue.

Vampire finches On Wolf Island in the very north of the archipelago, the Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch Geospiza difficilis, also known as the Vampire Finch, has quite an un- usual diet: it feeds by drinking the blood of other birds, the Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, pecking at their skin with its sharp beak until blood is drawn. The finches also feed on eggs, pushing them over the edge of a rock in order to break them. Curious creatures Occasionally, mockingbirds also break eggs and drink blood. The animal and plant species on the that drinks blood on Wolf Island and Galápagos archipelago are fascinat- therefore is also called “Vampire Finch”, ing; not only because most of them or the Marine Iguana Amblyrhynchus are endemic, but also because they are cristatus, which feeds on algae on the often different from the species living ocean floor instead of terrestrial plants. on the continents. In other words: they Islands with little competition are are exceptional. sometimes also a refuge for creatures “ Daisy trees” – the Darwin’s This is because oceanic islands like that have become extinct on the main- finches of the plant world the Galápagos are poor in species. The land. This is the case for giant tortoises, few species living there are exposed to which all died out on the mainland The daisy trees Scalesia have been called the Dar- only a small number of rivals and en- thousands of years ago. win’s finches of the plant world on Galápagos. The emies, freeing them from many of the In addition, oceanic islands are re- 15 species differ from each other in the way they constraints that they are subject to on mote, and once the wearisome journey adapted to their habitats. As in the case of Darwin’s the mainland (e.g. having to fight for has been made, it is not worthwhile to finches, the differences are enormous. Some species food with other species). For example, leave again. For plants, this means it is of Scalesia grow as small shrubs, while others are one finch species on the Galápagos not worthwhile to produce seeds that tall trees, making impressive forests. The different specialises in the food that would are destined to travel long distances. shapes and sizes of their leaves are just as impres- otherwise be eaten by woodpeckers. Many island plants therefore produce sive. Like many plants on the Galápagos Islands, The Woodpecker Finch Camarhyn- seeds that are not carried very far by most Scalesia species developed seeds that are not chus pallidus would have no chance the wind. For birds and insects, this transported very far by wind. This is an adaptation to to survive on the mainland, where means that their wings are not as im- life on islands, where the wind would most probably woodpeckers would compete with it. portant as on the mainland. Moreover, blow the seeds out in the ocean. In situations with little competition, fewer enemies lurk on the islands than many species depend on unusual food. on the mainland. Therefore, flightless On the Galápagos Islands, spectacular birds are quite common on oceanic is- examples include the Sharp-beaked lands, including Galápagos. The Flight- Ground-Finch Geospiza difficilis, less Cormorant Phalacrocorax harrisi Read more about Read more about Read more about is probably the most Marine Iguanas giant tortoises settlement spectacular example. on page 60 on page 44 on page 18 V ariation in leaf form within the genus Scalesia.

38 39 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Read more about Prickly pears D on't researchers know how to count? introduced species Prickly pears and other cactuses are an important where there are no large herbivores and fewer When studying the scientific litera­ on page 87 feature of the dry zone on the Galápagos Islands. competing shrubs, prickly pears are as small as ture on endemic plant species of the Scientists quickly become aware of this once they bushes and have soft spines. Galápagos Islands, readers will be hit their heads on a Galápagos prickly pear or sit on There are relatively few insect species on the surprised to find that the percentage of a prickly pear pad that has fallen off. It is not with- Galápagos Islands that pollinate flowers (there is, endemic species varies between 18 % out reason that a pair of tweezers should be part for example, only a single bee species, whereas and 43 % and that, according to one of every scientist’s equipment on the Galápagos! there are hundreds on the continent). Prickly pears source, their number has almost been 800800 800 Apart from the “daisy trees”, the six endemic prickly are therefore also pollinated by birds: mocking- reduced by half since the 1970s. How is pear species are the best-known result of adaptive birds, Galápagos Doves and a few Darwin’s finch this possible? Don't researchers know 700700 700 radiation among the plants on Galápagos. Prickly species do this while eating the prickly pears’ how to count? pears are primarily adapted to large herbivores pollen and nectar, an important food for the birds, Usually, they do. The problem is not 600600 600 and to competing shrubs. In places where giant especially in the dry season. In the course of evo- the counting but the question of what 500500 500 tor­toises and land iguanas graze and where dense lution, some Darwin’s finches have adapted their to count. If you add up all endemic and bushes grow, prickly pears grow like trees (up to beaks so that they are able to most efficiently non-endemic species and equate the 400400 400 12 m) and are armed with hard spines. It is the only extract pollen and nectar from the prickly pear sum with 100 %, you will be able to cal- way that they can find enough light to grow and blossoms: two species have long, thin beaks that culate the percentage of endemic spe- 300300 300 escape the herbivores wanting to eat their succu- enable them to reach the bottom of the prickly cies. It's as simple as that. Why, then, lent pads. By contrast, on islands like Genovesa, pear blossoms. do the results in the literature differ so 200200 200 much? To answer the riddle, we need to ask “what is to be included in ‘all 100100 100 non-endemic species’?” If the definition includes all plant species existing on 00 0 Galápagos, including those introduced number of plant species by humans, then the percentage of 1970s 2010s endemic species is indeed small in rela- endemic 231 236 tion to the various other species. Since native 312 319 the number of introduced plant species introduced 221 751 has been increasing greatly since the 1970s, the percentage of endemic plants has almost been halved, i.e. it has decreased from 30 % to 18 %. But if you calculate the number of plant species that existed on the islands before hu- man settlement, your result will be 43 % 0

in the800 1970s700 and 600 now. 500 400 300 200 100 percentage of plant species 1970s 2010s

The seeds of the endemic

Galápagos tomatoes only 0 properly germinate800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 after they have been eaten, digested and excreted by animals. It can take one to three weeks for the seeds to make their way through a giant tortoise’s intestinal system. After this, the toma- toes germinate very well. Read more about Read more about Read more about Read more about the equipment for scien- adaptive radiation Darwin’s finches mockingbirds tists and tourists on page 37 on page 71 on page 74 on page 100 40 41 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Land Iguanas D iscovered only recently Galápagos land iguanas Conolophus Wolf Volcano, which is located on Isabela, is home to land iguanas with a strikingly pink-coloured body, black stripes and a fleshy crest with hardly any spines. The Galápagos Pink Land Iguana Conolophus marthae was first described by Gabriele Gentile and Howard Snell in 2009, which shows that new discoveries are possible even on the well-explored territory of the Galápagos Islands.

Isabela Preferably prickly Wolf Volcano: Land iguanas’ favourite food is the spines, and they swallow prickly pear Galápagos Pink prickly pear cactus. To get rid of the fruits after only a few bites. Apart from Land Iguana large spines, land iguanas roll the piece providing solid food, the prickly pear Conolophus marthae Santa Cruz and of cactus on the hard ground with their also contains enough water to keep the Seymour and forefeet. They do not mind the smaller iguanas hydrated during dry seasons. Baltra Galápagos Land Iguana Conolophus subcristatus Finch cleaning service for iguanas Small Ground-Finches Geospiza

fuliginosa feed on ectoparasites such as ticks from the skin of the land iguanas.

When a finch turns up, the iguanas Santa Fé sometime assume a “cleaning position”: Santa Fé Land Iguana they raise their bodies off the ground Isabela and Conolophus pallidus extending their legs and bend up their

Fernandina tails in order to enable the finches to Galápagos Land Iguana Conolophus subcristatus reach every part of their bodies. T he population size of the Galápagos Pink Land Iguana is only about 200, Read more about the protection of the land iguanas which means it is an endangered species. On Santiago and Rábida, the on page 91 and page 93 Galápagos Land Iguana is already extinct and only intense conservation programmes have ensured their survival elsewhere.

The arduous journey The land iguanas of Fernandina female Galápagos land iguanas cover travel surprisingly long distances. In distances of more than 10 km, climb the lowlands, where their favourite 1,500 metres and descend another food, the prickly pear, grows, the lava 900 metres into the crater, which makes soil is so hard that the land iguanas are them record holders among all iguanas. not able to dig hollows in which to lay It takes the 3-kg animals about 30 days Today, 40 reptile species live on the Galápagos Is- their eggs. Consequently, thousands to travel this considerable distance and lands, 33 of which are endemic. This means that they of females climb up the volcano where dig hollows for their eggs. exist nowhere else in the world. These 33 endemic they find appropriate spots to lay their species include 10 giant tortoise species, 19 lizard eggs in the crater. On this journey, and iguana species, and 4 snake species. 42 43 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Giant Tortoises Crossbreeds due to pirates, buccaneers and whalers Galápagos giant tortoises Chelonoidis Genetic tests in recent years have buccaneers and whalers took thousands shown that there are giant tortoises of tortoises on their ships. By doing Giants from the past ­living on Wolf Volcano (the northern­ this, they unintentionally ensured the most volcano on Isabela) that are survival of their genes. The two species A long time ago, giant tortoises lived hybrids between the giant tortoises on that lived on Pinta and Floreana have on almost every continent. In South Isabela, Española, Pinta and Floreana. become extinct by now, but their genes America, for example, they existed un- The animals must have been moved have been preserved thanks to the til 8 million years ago. Some thousand between the islands when pirates, animals on Isabela. years ago, they only remained on oce- anic islands, and today they exclusively inhabit the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Naming the “islands of the tortoises” Male or female? Ocean and the Galápagos Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The Galápagos Islands owe their name Galápagos giant tortoises weigh up to the giant tortoises. On the map by to 250 kg and reach lengths of up to Gardeners of the Galápagos Islands Gerardus Mercator from 1569, the islands 130 cm. They only reach sexual matu- are recorded as “Insulae de los Galopegos”, rity at around 20 to 30 years, but they i. e. “islands of the tortoises”. “Galápago” is The giant tortoises feed on prickly distribution of many plant species. may attain an age of over 175 years. also the word for a Spanish riding saddle pear leaves and fruits as well as on Unfortunately, they do the same with that recalls the saddle-shaped shell of the Males have a concave undershell the fruits of Galápagos tomatoes. The the seeds of the passion fruit Passiflora giant tortoises. (curved inward) and are larger than seeds are passed through the tortoises’ edulis, an introduced plant that can females of the same age. digestive tract and excreted up to 4 km overgrow even trees with its vines and away from the parent plant. This way, therefore endangers the native flora. the giant tortoises contribute to the With time, the shell grows along with the tortoise. This is evident from studying the annual growth bands of the horny carapace (the top part of the shell), where the skin under- Domed shells in abundant ground vegetation neath gradually produces larger and larger plates (scutes). On the basis of the topmost plate, one can imagine how small the tortoise must once have been.

Read more about “ No animal can possibly afford a more […] luscious the fate of the giant tortoises and delicate food than they do”, the American cap- on page 90 tain Porter wrote in 1813 about the giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands. Their flesh ontainsc a large amount of fat, which when burned up by the body, creates water. That is why giant tortoises can do without water over an extended period of time and even survive long journeys over the ocean.

Saddleback shells in dry habitats Giant tortoises with saddleback shells live on the smaller and flatter islands with extensive arid zones and sparse ground vegetation. By arching of the Giant tortoises with domed shells front edge of their shell upwards, they live on the larger islands with abundant can easily rise up on their legs and vegetation at high elevations. They stretch their necks to reach leaves on “graze” on the lush grass, herbs and trees and parts of treelike cacti. lichens that are conveniently available on the ground. 44 45 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Giant Tortoises Distribution of tortoises Pinta Pinta Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis abingdoni, represented only by “Lonesome George”. He lived at the “Charles Darwin Research Station” on Santa Cruz until he died in 2012. With his death, this species is considered to be extinct, although part of the species’ Isabela genes survives in crossbreeds on Isabela. Volcán Wolf Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis becki and crossbreeds

Fernandina Isabela Fernandina Galápagos Volcán Darwin Tortoise Chelonoidis phan- Galápagos Rábida tastica, extinct, a dead Tortoise Rábida Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis wallacei, male specimen found in Chelonoidis extinct. Genetic tests have shown that it was most 1906 was the only one ever microphyes likely not a separate species at all, but that the extant recorded; it may have been Isabela evidence is actually the remains of tortoises brought released by humans. Alcedo from Isabela by humans. Galápagos Tortoise Santiago Chelonoidis San Cristóbal Santiago Galápagos Tortoise vandenburghi San Cristóbal Chelonoidis darwini, reintroduction Galápagos Tortoise Santa Cruz Chelonoidis Santa Cruz chathamensis

Galápagos Tortoise

Chelonoidis porteri

Pinzón Marine Turtles Santa Fé Pinzón Galápagos Apart from the Galápagos giant tortoises, four species of marine turtles can Isabela Santa Fé Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis sp., Tortoise be found in the Galápagos archipelago: Pacific Green Turtle Chelonia mydas, Cerro Azul Galápagos Tortoise extinct, known from only one skeleton discovery. Chelonoidis Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata, Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys

Chelonoidis vicina,

ephippium, olivacea and Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea. reintroduction

reintroduction Isabela Sierra Negra Galápagos Tortoise Española

Chelonoidis guntheri, Española Galápagos reintroduction Tortoise Chelonoidis hoodensis, Floreana reintroduction T he Galápagos Floreana Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis elephantopus, Islands provide extinct since 1846, but part of the species’ genes survives in important crossbreeds on Isabela, and 9 animals in the breeding egg-laying station of the “Charles Darwin Research Station” genetically Read more about sites for marine belong mostly to C. elephantopus. reintroduction turtles. on page 90

46 47 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest Endemic Plants

48 49 Prickly Pear Forest Prickly Pear Forest

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50 51 Inserat_Ausflugsziel_Zoologisches_Museum_125x191.5.indd 2 23.08.12 13:34 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff Tame yet stressed

ll Galápagos visitors are impressed by the tameness of the islands’ animals. The obvious question is: are these animals even able to A flee? The answer is yes, they are, and they actually do. They flee from familiar predators such as Galápagos Hawks or Galápagos snakes. So why do they not flee from human beings, or from introduced dogs and cats? Because for millions of years there were no human beings, dogs, cats, or any other terrestrial predators on the Galápagos Islands. As a result, flight behaviour got lost in the course of evolution. This proved to be the undoing of some species: when humans introduced terrestrial predators, the island animals became easy prey. Today’s research indicates, however, that the animals are stressed, even if they do not run away from humans and terrestrial predators. And the Galápagos animals are slowly starting to recognise their forgotten and new enemies. Some of them even flee.

52 53 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff

“Suddenly, there was a rushing sound above me. I looked up surprised and Read more about Read more about F orgotten enemies colonisation by mammals the problems caused by saw, to my amazement, a large Galápagos Hawk descending in slow jolting Running or flying away from ene- on page 22 introduced species movements. It lighted within touching distance on a large stone and looked on page 87 at me curiously. […]It probably took me for a rather pale version of a sea mies takes time and energy. Settling in lion with a liking for extended land excursions.” This event was described by an area where many natural enemies Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt in his book Galápagos – Die Arche Noah im Pazifik are absent means less fleeing and more tors, there were no human beings living (“Galápagos: The Noah’s Ark of the Pacific”), which was published in 1960. time to eat. on the South American mainland at all. On most oceanic islands, mammals The tameness of the animals on Marine Iguana Cliff are inexistent or very rare because Galápagos and the other oceanic islands they can only reach them with great is one of the reasons for the extinction Islands without fear? difficulty. As a result, animals that have of a particularly large number of animal managed to settle on such islands have species living on islands in recent centu- In Galápagos, you can hardly believe lost their fear of predatory mammals in ries. The predatory mammals that were your eyes sometimes… Is this really a the course of evolution. Thus, Galápa- introduced by humans found easy prey bird sitting on my colleague’s head? Is gos animals are tame because they no in the tame island animals. this sea lion actually making itself com- longer recognise the natural enemies fortable at our feet? Is this Marine Igua- of their ancestors from the mainland as na truly climbing up my arm? At home, such. And, at the time of their ances- you would never witness a thing like that. No wonder the very first Galápagos visitors were entranced by the tameness of the island animals. Even today this fascinates everyone who comes to visit.

Some people draw the conclusion that Galápagos is a paradise where animals are free from enemies and fear. This is a misconception. The animals do know fear, because they have always had and always will have enemies both T he endemic cormorant in the air and in the sea. Marine Igua- Phalacrocorax harrisi has lost nas, for example, run when they are its ability to fly because it hunted by Galápagos Hawks. In the sea, has no more enemies to fear sea lions and fur seals flee from sharks. on land. Finches and mockingbirds “mock” their enemies (owls and Galápagos Hawks), i.e. they fly mock or real attacks just It can be learned – in part like our birds. Evidently, the Galápagos When a Marine Iguana is attacked release of stress hormones and some- Islands are far from being “islands by a Galápagos Hawk, it flees; in doing times by taking flight. without fear”. so, it releases stress hormones and its It appears that Marine Iguanas can heart beats faster. The release of stress learn through experience to recognise S illy or inexperienced? hormones, an increased heart rate and a human being as an enemy. Of the taking flight are thus a Marine Iguana’s three reactions to familiar enemies, Are the animals on the Galápagos is a more dangerous animal than the three normal responses to the approach only two occur; their heart rate remains Islands “so silly that they do not know tortoise or the amblyrhyncus [Marine of a familiar enemy. unchanged. So we might say that Ma- how to flee”, as Fray Tomás de Berlanga, Iguana]”? However, when a human being rine Iguanas have only a limited ability who discovered Galápagos in 1535, approaches, Marine Iguanas neither to recognise new enemies. However, wrote in his report to the King of Read more about move nor respond. Only when they are perhaps the sight of a human being will Spain? Or was Darwin, 300 years later, the discovery of the islands intensively and repeatedly disturbed by cause their heart rate to increase as well closer to the mark when he wrote that on page 24 humans over a long period of time does some time in the future. they have “not [...] yet learnt that man their body respond with an increased 54 55 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff 1,000 140 Calm on the outside, stressed on the inside 900 130 The release of stress hormones, an birds, albatrosses, blue-footed boobies 800 elevated heart rate and fleeing are the and swallow-tailed gulls on Galápagos. 120 700 reactions that a bird might have to the When an incubating frigatebird sitting 110 approach of an enemy. These reactions in its nest is approached by a human, 600 are related but do not necessarily occur its heart rate rises as soon as the human 500 100 ird: heartbeatird: per minute heartbeatird: per minute

together. Therefore, when a relatively comes closer than 10 m (about 18 m B B 400 90 unfamiliar enemy approaches, a bird for albatrosses). The normal heart rate may seem fearless on the outside, but of a frigatebird is about 65 beats per 300 80 its body may show stress reactions such minute; if a human is just 5 m away, 200 70 as an elevated heart rate. the bird’s heart beats 200 times per 100 This is precisely what researchers minute. However, the bird still shows 50 D istance of human 60 D istance of human have observed in incubating frigate- no visible signs of stress. If the human 1110 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 in metres 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 in metres comes even closer, the bird’s heart rate The closer a human comes, the faster the Great Frigatebird’s rate had reached the tremendously high rate of 1,000 beats per can reach up to 1,000 beats per minute heart beats. The bird on the left is used to breeding in areas minute. The breeding area of the bird on the right is located before the bird eventually flies away. that are never visited by tourists. When the test subject came just one metre off the tourist path. Its maximum heart rate was within only 3 m of the bird, it flew away, but only after its heart 136 beats per minute, and the bird never flew away.

How can the heartbeat of an incubating bird be measured? In order to measure the heartbeat without getting too close to the bird (which would cause a change in its heart rate), body-sound microphones that transfer the incubat- ing bird’s heart sounds via radio are attached to the eggs. In this way, the researcher can record the heart rate on tape at a distance of about 100 m without disturbing the incubating bird.

U sed to disturbances… to some extent

If disturbances are repeated, frigate­ Does this stress have negative effects birds and other birds become accus- on the animals? Unfortunately, no con- Read more about tomed to them to some extent, and they clusive study has yet been conducted on the research no longer experience a rapid increase in this topic despite all the research that programmes on page 66 their heart rate. Birds that breed in the has been done on Galápagos. We know vicinity of visitor trails are therefore less that boobies change their behaviour sensitive; however, they still respond when tourists pass by, e.g. by moving with a significant increase in their heart away from them. However, in order to rate. As a result, even birds that are used determine the effect this stress has on Paradise for researchers to the proximity of humans suffer from the birds’ survival or their reproductive stress when a human comes too close. success, further research is required. The fact that animals on the Galápa- gos Islands are “strangers to man”, as Darwin wrote, makes Galápagos a O n uninhabited is- When an animal (e.g. paradise for researchers: they can ob- a bird) recognises an lands, Sally Lightfood enemy, its heartbeat Crabs Grapsus grapsus serve animals at close range and record quickens in order to are not deterred by observations that would not be possible supply the muscles the proximity of hu- with animals that are shy of humans. with more blood to mans, whereas they prepare for escape. are extremely shy in residential areas.

56 57 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff L ost colours On islands, flight reactions may be be no use to signal toxicity with striking “forgotten” in the course of evolution. warning colours. Their lack of warning Warning colouration can disappear as colouration is actually of advantage to well. them: while they sleep during the day, The Crimson-speckled Flunkey they are hidden from natural enemies like Utetheisa pulchella is a moth that can the lava lizard thanks to their brown hue. be found in Europe and is active during Only the sixth Utetheisa species the day, or diurnal. In order to protect living on Galápagos has kept its mul- itself from natural enemies, its caterpil- ti-coloured appearance. It can also be lar eats plants that enable it to produce found in North and South America and toxins. These toxins are later contained is, also active during the daytime, just in the moth, making it toxic for birds like the Crimson-speckled Flunkey. and other natural enemies. The moth’s This probably explains why it has kept striking colours ensure that its toxicity its warning coloration. is noticed from afar. On the Galápagos Islands, the five species that are related to our Crimson- speckled Flunkey have a dull brown co­ lour. This is because they are nocturnal: at night, colours are not visible, so it would Galápagos Hawk

Recent arrivals with unusual breeding behaviour The Galápagos Hawk’s ancestors came to Galápagos about 130,000 years ago and therefore are among the most recent immigrants. Today, this hawk species can be found on many islands: quite unusual among birds: one female there are about 300 adult birds in total. will mate with several males, who all They are reluctant to fly long distances help rear the young. Like vultures, they over water, which is why an exchange keep watch over large areas from the between the islands is rare. It is no air and show each other where to find wonder that they are among the bird food. This is the case, for example, on species with the highest natural rates of Santiago, whereas on Española each inbreeding. Their mating habits are female mates with only one male. Galápagos Hawk – no fear of death The Galápagos Hawk Buteo galap- the chick's angry owner appears and As soon as the offspring of the Flight- agoensis is the natural enemy of the threatens to beat the hawk to death. less Cormorant Phalacrocorax harrisi leave the nest, the male takes over the following animals: Marine Iguanas, feeding entirely. The female leaves lava lizards, native and introduced rats, Woe betide anyone who threatens to find a new partner for the second smaller birds such as Darwin’s finches, its offspring round of breeding in the same year. Galápagos Doves and mockingbirds. However, as soon as someone threat- It is the only diurnal bird of prey on ens its offspring, the tame hawk turns Galápagos and so tame that it does not into a savage beast. It dives down, claws even flee from humans. When it cap- extended, to attack any human who tures a young chick, the hawk does not threatens to harm its young. fly away with it, but sits in front of the house eating it. It even stays there when 58 59 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana S neezing lizards Marine Iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus Lying on coastal rocks, Marine from their nostrils (sometimes it lands Iguanas bask in the sun. They feel most on their heads) comes from their salt comfortable with a body temperature of glands and is very salty. This is how 36–38 °C (96–100 °F). Their intestinal they get rid of the excess salt that they bacteria also need warmth in order to ingest with their oceanic food. digest the vegetarian food. Strange noises can be heard from afar: Marine Iguanas sneeze forcefully and often. The white mucus they expel

With their sharp, three-cusped teeth, Marine Iguanas scrape algae off rocks. Lizards grazing on the ocean floor Marine Iguanas are the only lizards The Marine Iguanas’ unusual lifestyle that find their predominantly vegetari- also led to evolutionary changes in an food exclusively in the ocean. Some their bones. Jasmina Hugi and Marcelo of them graze for 2 to 45 minutes, in Sánchez from the University of Zurich depths of one to five metres. The largest were able to show that their bone animals dive as deep as 30 metres. Most structure is much denser than that of Marine Iguanas look for algae at low other iguanas. The higher the density, tide so they do not have to dive deep. the heavi­er the bones, the better the Marine Iguanas are reptiles and iguanas can dive at greater depths therefore poikilothermic. Their body (because ­buoyancy is lower). Moreover, temperature depends largely on the the seasonal climate of the Galápagos ambient temperature, and their activity Islands is reflected in the bones in the decreases as temperatures decline. Larger form of growth rings.

N ot all Marine Iguanas are the same Marine Iguanas differ in size accord- uary). Depending on the island, they Side length 1 cm 2 cm ing to the island they live on. Males on turn either brick red or greenish, which Surface 6 sq. cm 24 sq. cm Volume 1 cu. cm 8 cu. cm Genovesa weigh less than 1 kg, while is presumably because the algae they Ratio of surface to volume 6:1 3:1 those on Isabela easily weigh 11 kg and feed on contain different pigments. more. On all the islands, females are Martin Wikelski (Max Planck Institute animals do not lose their body heat as fast smaller than males. for Ornithology in Radolfzell, Germa- because, compared with smaller animals, Marine Iguanas usually have a ny) found out that the females are not their body surface is small in comparison blackish colouration, which helps them impressed by this colouration. Instead Read more about with their body volume. This is why only warm up fast in the sun after grazing in they always prefer the largest males, be the seasonal larger Marine Iguanas are able to dive the cold water. In males, this coloura- they the largest among the small igua- climate down to 30 meters, where temperatures tion changes to bright colours during nas on Genovesa or the largest among on page 9 are easily as low as 13 °C (55 °F). mating season (from December/Jan- the large ones on Isabela. 60 61 Marine Iguana Cliff Marine Iguana Cliff

“We're carefully making our way up to the crater mockingbird’s attack without letting go of its prey. rim of the small island of Gardner-por-Floreana. The After a few minutes, the battle on two fronts – the climb is extremely steep, and I'm worried that one of lava lizard in front, the mockingbird behind – has our team members might fall. Suddenly I hear some- become too much. The snake loosens its grip, and one yell behind me. Fearing the worst, I turn around. the lava lizard slips away immediately.” My colleague is pointing excitedly towards a rock Recounted by Paquita Hoeck, who did field studies ledge, where a snake has caught a lava lizard. The on Galápagos while a student at the University of Zu- GALÁPAGOS & ECUADOR lava lizard is holding onto a rock with all its might, rich and went to work as a researcher at the San Die- nachhaltiges Reisen seit 1983 which makes it impossible for the snake to wind it- go Zoo in California after finishing her Ph.D. in 2010. self around it and strangle it. The snake is fighting wildly for its meal, the lava lizard for survival. The spectacle attracts a mockingbird, which begins to peck at the snake. The snake tries to escape the

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62 63 Research Camp A scientist's paradise : islands are like test tubes

he Galápagos Islands are among the most thoroughly studied ­archipelagos on earth. It all started with Charles Darwin, who T ­visited the islands in 1835 and was fascinated by their unique flora and fauna. He saw that animal species lived there that were closely related but whose various populations differed slightly from island to island. These observations later contributed to his conviction that species can change through “natural selection”, as he called it. This was a revolution- ary idea: the theory of evolution. More than a century later, researchers found out, again on Galápagos, how this process works in nature. Teams of researchers in biology and geology are still working on the Galápagos Islands to this day, but this unique natural environment is still far from being exhaustively researched; new species are still being discovered. Islands are a mecca for researchers because they show complex interac- tions in simplified terms, just like test tubes in a lab. Research Camp Research Camp

“The stunted trees show little signs of life. [...] The the Galápagos.” Upon his return from a four-month Read more about Read more about Read more about Islands: test tubes of nature evolution low species tameness plants also smell unpleasantly. The country was com- expedition, shortly before World War II broke out, the Islands (or, better yet, archipelagos) on page 70 diversity on page 53 pared to what we might imagine the cultivated parts great English evolutionary biologist David Lack wrote: on page 20 of the Infernal regions to be.” This is how Charles Dar- “The numerous recent travel books describing the Ga- are ideal sites for biologists to inves- win described his first expedition to the Galápagos Is- lápagos […] had not sufficiently prepared us for the tigate the phenomenon of evolution. Indeed, every island is like a test tube in lands on 16 September 1835 in his Beagle Diary. A few inglorious drama. […] Miles of dreary, greyish brown are particularly suitable for investi- the laboratory of evolution, and corre- weeks later, on 3 October 1835, he added: “I should thorn bush […]. Closer acquaintance in the next four gating the phenomenon of evolution. spondingly, archipelagos are like whole think it would be difficult to find in the intertropical months only increased the initial depression. [...] The Furthermore, volcanic islands that rise arrays of test tubes. latitudes a piece of land 75 miles long, so entirely use- biological peculiarities are offset by an enervating from the sea, such as the Galápagos less to man or the larger animals.” climate, monotonous scenery, dense thorn scrub, cac- What do we mean by this? Islands, are initially uninhabited. Thus, The biologist Frederick P. Drowne, who conducted tus spines, loose sharp lava, food deficiencies, water A test tube shows complicated things the first arrivals can undergo large- research on the Galápagos Islands in 1897/98, wrote: shortage, black rats, fleas, jiggers, ants, mosquitoes, in a simple way. The same holds true scale evolutionary changes. On islands, “There simply are no pleasant places to go on foot in scorpions, [...].” for islands: they show the complicat- the course of evolution is much more ed life on the mainland in simplified obvious than on the mainland, where terms. On the mainland, the coexis­ only smaller evolutionary adaptations tence of innumerable plant and animal can be observed. Finally, the tameness Research species is extremely complex, whereas of island animals is an undeniable ad- on islands it is downright simple vantage: researchers can observe them Heavenly research in hellish since there are relatively few plant at close range. conditions and animal species. Hence, islands

Charles Darwin’s Galápagos expe- dition in 1835 aroused widespread interest in these islands. This is all the more astonishing as he and subsequent researchers were, according to their travel accounts, anything but enthu- siastic about the working conditions. Nevertheless, dozens of researchers followed their example with the aim of exploring this pristine patch of Earth as quickly as possible. They feared that the unique flora and fauna could be displaced by introduced species and eventually die out. Most of all, however, they wanted to investigate the phenomenon of evolution. The Galápagos Islands still remain an im- portant research centre, especially for evolutionary research.

Read more about Darwin on pages 69

66 67 Research Camp Research Camp What Darwin saw Charles Darwin (1809–1882) In his pioneering book On the Origin F rom a beetle-collecting boy to a of Species, Charles Darwin mentions the Galápagos Islands several times. scientific thinker What did he see there in 1835? Why was he still so impressed some twenty Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England, in years later? Well, he had observed that 1809 to a wealthy family with a strong intellectual many animals and plants on Galápa- background. It was here that the boy with a passion gos were unique and that they could for collecting beetles and shooting birds turned only be found on these islands. At the into a thinker. His grandfathers (a physician and an same time, they seemed to be related industrialist) had controversial views on religion, Map of the Galápagos to each other and resembled the flora free-thinking, evolution, the origin of life, the laws Islands from Charles of nature, slavery, etc. His father was a physician and and fauna on the South American Darwin at the age of 7 Darwin‘s book “Volcanic mainland. From this, he concluded that interested in the science of the time. His pious moth- Islands” (1844) South American species coming from er kept pigeons and grew exotic plants. She died when Charles was 8 years old, and he was raised by the mainland Sketch from Darwin‘s notebook (1837). The first “Down House” – the had landed on his sisters. In order to make an impression, Charles depiction of his ideas on evolution. home of Charles and Galápagos and invented stories and collected anything he could Emma Darwin colonised the find. He took solitary strolls, read Wonders of the islands. Over World, and dreamt of long journeys, tropical islands Darwin‘s wife Emma time, they and South American landscapes. “What wouldn’t I give to be a natural scientist”, evolved and he confessed to Price, his school friend. In a letter to his cousin Fox, he wrote “It is new species quite absurd how interested I am getting about the science.” were born. During his studies in the cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh, Charles Darwin met the geologist Robert Jameson, who taught him to observe minute details and to recognise connections. From Robert Grant, a physician and natural scientist, he learned to ask the right questions. He read Humboldt’s book From the Orinoco to the Amazon, annoyed fellow students with his enthusiasm for tropical landscapes and suddenly had a clear vision of his goal: to be a natural scientist. The path leading to this goal started in 1831 aboard the Beagle, where he ac- companied Captain Robert FitzRoy on his voyage around the world. The aim of the journey was to survey the coast of South America. In 1835, it anchored off N o moment of epiphany Galápagos. Darwin explored four islands, but could not imagine that he was Darwin’s observations were not Darwin’s book On the Origin of Spe- about to find the answers to the question that haunted him: How do new species followed by a sudden insight. It was not cies (1859) was a resounding success. In arise? In 1859, having carefully developed his ideas, he published his answers to this question, shaking the foundations of traditional religion to its core. When until many years later, after reviewing Darwin’s lifetime, most of the scientific Darwin and son Charles Darwin died in 1882, he was the most famous, albeit the most controver- his observations and connecting the community accepted the theory that William, 1842 dots, that it dawned on him that all spe- the diversity of species on Earth arose sial, natural scientist of his time. cies evolved from one common ancestor from evolution. However, it was only and that new species arise through evo- years later that his truly groundbreak- lution. With his discoveries, Darwin's ing discovery – namely that evolution is T wo researchers, one discovery theory was in stark contradiction to the driven by “natural Read more about D arwin was not the only researcher who was prevailing belief that every species was selection” – found natural selection created by God alone. recognition. credited with the discovery of the theory of evo- on page 70 lution by natural selection. After spending eight years exploring the islands of Indonesia, Alfred Read more about Russel Wallace (1823–1913), a trained surveyor, Charles Darwin and the mockingbirds evolution had the same idea. Darwin’s and Wallace’s Contrary to common belief, it was not the Darwin’s finches but the mocking- on page 70 discoveries were presented to the public at a birds that impressed Charles Darwin the most on Galápagos. In fact, it is the symposium of the Linnean Society in London… mockingbirds that appear in his book On the Origin of Species. on exactly the same day. However, in the course Read more about th Originally known as Galápagos finches, the present name of Darwin’s finches the Beagle of the 20 century, Wallace’s contribution sank was given 50 years after Darwin’s death. on page 16 into oblivion.

68 69 Research Camp Research Camp Evolution by natural selection E xample: Darwin’s finches Darwin could not observe evolution larger birds survived. The larger finches Darwin’s realisation that living creatures are formed survival. Those who cannot run fast enough are by natural selection on the Galápa- with large beaks passed their body and by evolution was unprecedented in its clarity and eaten. Those who cannot find enough food starve gos Islands. However, 140 years later, beak size on to their offspring, just like therefore quite provocative. However, it was not to death. Those who cannot withstand diseases die. scientists Peter and Rosemary Grant the smaller finches passed on their fundamentally new. Scientists and intellectuals had Those who cannot find a partner will not reproduce from Princeton University succeeded corresponding characteristics. But since already expressed similar ideas before him; among and leave no descendants. In this way, only individ- in doing so. For 40 years, they regularly only few small finches were left, the larg- them Darwin’s grandfather Erasmus Darwin, a phy- uals with well-fitted characteristics survive. Some of visited the small island of Daphne Ma- er birds predominated and subsequent sician and free-thinker. However, nobody knew how these characteristics are rooted in the genetic make- jor in order to conduct field research on finch populations numbered more large evolution worked. This discovery was Darwin’s pio- up and passed on to the offspring. Darwin called this Darwin’s finches and thereby document birds with large beaks than before the neering achievement. process “natural selection”. evolution by natural selection. Here is a drought. If the environment changes, for instance if new summary of their findings: In 1978, the average finch was 10 % E volution by natural selection natural enemies appear or the climate changes, dif- In 1977, the Galápagos Islands were larger than in 1976. Natural selection works like this: ferent characteristics are needed for survival. Then, affected by severe drought. On the island led to a change in their body and beak only those individuals with these different, adapted of Daphne Major, the Medium Ground- size: the bird species evolved. Peter and All living creatures produce an excess of offspring, characteristics will survive. When they reproduce, Finch Geospiza fortis, one of the species Rosemary Grant’s observations validat- more than is actually necessary. Why is this? The they pass on these characteristics to their offspring. of Darwin’s finches endemic to the ed Darwin’s theory. reason is that not all of the offspring survive. Some In the course of time, a whole population develops islands, was forced to feed on seeds from It may not have led to the creation die of hunger, others are eaten or become diseased, with these different characteristics. This is evolution. the last rainy season which it found on of a new bird species, but evolution did while some may fail to reproduce because they lack the ground. At that time, the finch pop- occur. Evolution does not necessarily a partner. In this way, animals may change so fundamentally ulation included more small birds with over long periods of time that new species develop. “Tough luck”, you might say, but it’s not so simple. small beaks than large birds with large The point is that some characteristics (e.g. body size, This is how evolution brings forth new species. beaks. The small birds with small beaks beak form, leg length, health, behaviour) are not eat small, soft seeds, and these were fitted well enough in some individuals to ensure soon eaten. What was left were some larger and harder seeds that could only be cracked by large finches with large beaks. Many Medium Ground-Finches starved to death, especially the small Common Cac- finches with small beaks, while some tus-Finch Geospiza scandens (top) Large Ground-Finch Geospiza magnirostris (bottom)

Medium Ground-Finch Geospiza fortis, fledglings

Selection occurs when certain individuals most important one as far as we know today. Medium Ground-Finch Evolution (Latin for unfold) is a natural process during which the hereditary have a better chance of survival or of Darwin used the term “natural selection” Geospiza fortis characteristics of animals and plants change over successive generations. reproducing than others because of a certain in contrast to “artificial selection”, which Evolution on our planet, which is around 4.5 billion years old, is responsible characteristic. When these characteristics describes the cultivation or breeding of plants for the fact that: are passed on to descendants, the process is and animals. Darwin himself bred doves in – millions of animal and plant species exist today, known as natural selection. Natural selection order to observe very closely how creatures – millions of animal and plant species have died out, is not the only cause of evolution, but it is the change. – many new species will develop in the future, – and many species will disappear again.

70 71 Research Camp Research Camp bring forth new species. It can lead to the environment changes and the birds D aphne Major: a small island with extensive research changes in certain characteristics, such have to adapt repeatedly, new species as, in this case, the birds’ body and beak can evolve. The small Daphne Major Island is located just north sizes. When the characteristics change of Santa Cruz Island. It is barely 40 ha in size and to a great degree, for example because therefore an ideal place for field research, since practically all the finches on this small island can be caught and ringed (in order to distinguish them), which facilitates the examination of their survival Plant seeds are an important source of and reproductive success. The research is important nutrition for finches. in order for natural selection to be measured and must be conducted over many years. Scientists Peter and Rosemary Grant from Princeton University, USA, and their colleagues did exactly this: Forty years of field research on Daphne Major in great heat and on sharp-edged lava rock. Only few scientists have this kind of endurance.

Peter and Rosemary Grant on Daphne Major

A future of giant finches? Drought periods are not uncommon needs less energy than a large fledgling, on the Galápagos Islands. The question giving it a slightly better chance to sur- is: will the Medium Ground-Finches vive. Small finches feed on small-seed keep increasing in size because larger plants, which grow so profusely during birds have a better chance of survival El Niño years with extreme amounts of in periods of drought? Will we find rainfall that they overrun plants with gigantic Medium Ground-Finches on large and hard seeds. In years like this, Daphne Major Island some centuries there are hardly any large seeds and from now? The answer is no, because a therefore more large finches die than small body size with a small beak has small ones. As we can see, evolution advantages as well. A small fledgling can go in various directions. A homemade seedcracker Is it possible to buy instruments to measure the hard- A ssuming that natural selection among Medium ness of the seeds that are cracked by birds? No. There- Ground-Finches is always going in the same direc- fore, they have to be invented and specially produced. tion, for example towards a larger and larger beak This is what Peter and Rosemary Grant did: together because environmental changes led to increasingly with engineers from McGill University in Montreal, harder seeds, it would only take 200 years for the Read more about Canada, they developed a pair of pliers that measures beak to have transformed in such a way that one El Niño/La Niña the force (in kg) that is needed to crack a seed. could speak of a new species. on page 9

72 73 Research Camp Research Camp A revolutionary discovery triggered by mockingbirds Reintroduction of the Floreana Mockingbird? While visiting the island of Floreana, these differences (he had seen three of The Galápagos National Park, support- Old birds provide new insights Darwin was surprised to find a mock- the four existing mockingbird species): ed by the Charles Darwin Foundation, How can this question be answered? ingbird Mimus trifasciatus drinking “[...] such facts would undermine is planning to reintroduce the Floreana Being extinct, no living Floreana from a cup in his hand. Later, he wrote the stability of species.” The scientific Mockingbird Mimus trifasciatus on the Mockingbirds can be examined. How- that these mockingbirds had looked community of the time was convinced island of Floreana. The University of ever, there are still the two Floreana slightly different from those he had of the stability, or immutability, of the Zurich is contributing to this project with Mockingbirds that Darwin and Captain seen and collected on San Cristóbal. species created by God. The doubts research, supported by the Swiss Associ- FitzRoy collected in 1835 and whose The differences were not very con- that Darwin expressed in this comment ation of Friends of the Galápagos Islands. skins are now kept at the Natural His- spicuous, but they were clearly visible: show that the mockingbirds helped him Since 2006, Paquita Hoeck, Lukas Keller tory Museum in London. These over the birds had different beak lengths eventually arrive at the conclusion that and their co-workers have been studying 170-year-old birds are the key to the Read more about and colouring of eyes and feathers. all species descend from common an- the mockingbirds. They have discovered answer, as they are so well preserved the Beagle Before the Beagle returned to England, cestors and change through evolution. that the mockingbirds on the islets of that their DNA can be extracted and on page 16 Darwin wrote down his thoughts on Champion and Gardner-by-Floreana their genetic material deciphered. exhibit significant genetic differences. This is exactly what Paquita Hoeck has achieved thanks to a tiny shred of T he u Galápagos Mockingbird The question is: could it be that the pop- ulations on the two islets are not, after all, skin from each bird’s foot. In this way, Read more about Mimus parvulus occurs on all these as closely related to the extinct Floreana old animal skins kept in museums can Robert FitzRoy islands, except on Pinzón. San Cristóbal Mockingbirds as has been assumed due provide new insights even after a very on page 17 v San Cristóbal to the islets’ proximity to Floreana? long time. Mockingbird Mimus melanotis

u˜ v˜

T he two Floreana Mockingbird specimens from 1835 Española are today in the Natural History Museum in London x Hood Mockingbird Champion Mimus macdonaldi Gardner Genes tell stories w Floreana Mockingbird Mimus trifasciatus w˜ x˜ The decoding of the genetic material has shown that the gene variants of the two Floreana Mockingbirds at the D arwin’s “muse” disappears museum can now be found partly only on Champion and partly only on Gard- halted. The tiny population on Champi- The Floreana Mockingbird Mimus Champion and Gardner-by-Florea- ner-by-Floreana. The populations of on has had a high degree of inbreeding, trifasciatus was an inspiration to Dar- na. Due to great fluctuations in size, the three islands (Floreana, Champion, which is why today its genes differ win; one could even call it his “muse”. the populations of only 20–53 birds and Gardner-by-Floreana) are therefore greatly from those of the population About 50 years after his visit, it died on Champion and 200–500 birds on closely related and birds from both islets on Gardner-by-Floreana. This was not out on Floreana. No one noticed the Gardner-by-Floreana cannot ensure the would be necessary for the reintro- always the case. In the course of the past mockingbirds were going extinct until long-term survival of this species. duction of the Floreana Mockingbird. 100 years, inbreeding increased strongly, after they disappeared, which is why When there were still mockingbirds on and the population lost almost 40 % no one really knows the cause of their Floreana, the populations of Champion of its genetic diversity. We know this extinction. It is assumed A ctually, it is the mock- and Gardner-by-Floreana indirectly because Paquita Hoeck and Lukas Keller that the introduced ingbirds that should exchanged their genes, as there was an also examined the genes of animal skins rats, cats and goats were carry Darwin’s name exchange between the populations of which were collected in 1906. The ex- responsible. Today the rather than the Darwin’s both islets with the population on Flore- tinction of the Floreana population thus Floreana Mockingbird finches, since it was ana. The extinction of mockingbirds on indirectly brought about a change in the only lives on two islets the mockingbirds that helped him develop his Floreana meant that the indirect genetic genetic composition of the Champion off the coast of Floreana: theory of evolution. exchange between the two islets was population. 74 75 Research Camp Research Camp Galápagos Mockingbirds everywhere, but not all the same El Niño and La Niña: constant companions of research The Galápagos Mockingbird Mimus parvulus exists on many islands. However, considerable differences can be found between the genes The research topics that can be ad- nomena El Niño and La Niña always of the various populations, and even between the genes of their dressed on Galápagos are so numerous play a key role. The climatic changes Read more about parasites. and diverse that they could fill entire that befall the Galápagos Islands are El Niño/La Niña bookshelves. But no matter which topic so extreme that almost every research on page 9 is being explored, the weather phe- project is affected. Like host, like parasite Mockingbirds are sedentary: only hardly travel between islands, their rarely do they fly long distances. This parasites are likewise hardly trans- is why the populations on the individ- ported between islands. This resulted ual islands do not mix. Nor do they in the evolutionary family trees of the mix genetically. Even the mocking- mockingbirds being almost identical birds’ parasites, feather lice and feather to those of their respective feather mites, exhibit considerable differences lice and feather mites. In the case of between their genes. This was shown the birds as well as their parasites, the by Jan Štefka (formerly at the Natural oldest populations and species are on History Museum in London, now at the oldest islands in the south-east, the University of South Bohemia in while the youngest are found on the the Czech Republic) and his co-work- youngest islands in the west. ers. In addition, as the mockingbirds

While some feast, others starve The weather phenomena El Niño and warm water contains only few Closely related mockingbirds and La Niña have different effects on nutrients. Therefore, marine animals T he Galápagos Islands the islands and the sea. While El Niño have little to eat, and the result is dead (green evolutionary trees) are the best-explored harbour closely related feather archipelago on earth. Up brings years of plenty to the animals frigatebirds, boobies, albatrosses, mites Analges sp. (red evolution- to now, they have been of the islands, La Niña brings years of Marine Iguanas, sea lions and fur seals ary trees). the subject of over 7,500 famine. For marine animals, it is the everywhere. scientific publications. opposite: La Niña means plenty and El Niño means famine. El Niño makes water temperatures rise (by up to 7 °C), 76 77 Research Camp Research Camp A life dedicated to the females S hrinking Marine Iguanas Adult male Galápagos Fur Seals Fritz Trillmich from Bielefeld Univer- Martin Wikelski and his team from Arctocephalus galapagoensis have their sity in Germany and his research team the Max Planck Institute for Ornithol- territories along the coast, preferably a were able to show that Galápagos Fur ogy in Radolfzell (Germany) have been stretch of shoreline where females are Seals die in El Niño years because they studying the Marine Iguanas on several 3 numerous. They defend these territo- cannot make up for the loss of weight. islands for years. They have observed ries against rival males with all their In the El Niño year of 1983, all the not only that many Marine Iguanas might so they are the only ones who big fur seal males in Fritz Trillmich’s die in El Niño years, but also that the 2 can mate with the females. On the one research area on the island of Fernandi- animals shrink by up to 20 %. (Imagine hand, this requires a lot of energy, and na died. how small we would be if we shrank by on the other hand, it means not much 20 %!) The more the Marine Iguanas 1 time to eat. Therefore, male fur seals shrink, the longer they live, because lose a lot of weight during this time. they need less energy. They grow again Mean survival time (years) 0 After a few weeks, they have to give up O n land, Galápagos Fur Seals in La Niña years. >0 0 to -20 -21 to -60 are most likely to be observed and accumulate fat reserves before they Change in body length in mm can try to get hold of another territory. at full moon. This is because, by bright moonlight, their prey stays on the ocean floor. As soon as the nights get darker, the prey rises to the surface, where fur seals can easily catch it. El Niño and fishery: a deadly duo El Niño events can even lead to the Niño and fishery can have especially extinction of species. The endemic serious consequences: fishermen catch Fighting Galápagos Fur Seal males Galápagos Damsel Azurina eupala- predatory fish and lobsters, which keep ma, which used to live in the waters the algae- and coral-eating sea urchin of almost all the big islands, became populations in check. As a conse- extinct during the extremely intense quence, there are too many sea urchins, El Niño event of 1982/1983. Graham so algae and corals have no chance to Edgar from the University of Tasmania grow back after El Niño events. One in Australia and his team were able algae species has already disappeared to show that the combination of El from Galápagos in this way.

The number of registered fishermen on Galápagos has grown “ Sebastian“, a male giant tortoise on Santa Cruz, is equipped with a considerably: between GPS-transmitter. Steven Blake from the Max Planck Institute for Orni- Read more about 1971 and 2001, it thology in Radolfzell (Germany) and his team study the giant tortoises. endemic species increased tenfold. Read more about the research, and about “Sebastian“ and other giant on page 35 tortoises: http://www.gianttortoise.org/meet_tortoises.php

78 79 Research Camp Research Camp

Species older than the islands: how can that be? 0 2 4 6 The Galápagos Islands are young; to 2,500 m beneath the ocean surface. Altitude Profile most of them are not older than three Before these islands disappeared, million years, some considerably they were in all likelihood inhabited 1,000 1,000 younger. Yet there are species that are by creatures that colonised the newly older than the oldest island: the marine emerging islands. It therefore comes as no surprise that the age of the ten and land iguanas, ten Galapaganus S ea level weevil species and perhaps the giant endemic Galapaganus weevil species is 0 0 tortoises, lizards and geckos. How can estimated at over seven million years that be? The answer to this puzzle is and that of marine and land iguanas that, in the course of Earth’s history, even at ten million years. islands have come and gone in Galápa- gos. There are several 5- to 14-million- −1,000 −1,000 year-old islands lying at a depth of 300

F loreana Lava Lizard 2˚N Microlophus grayi −2,000 −2,000

Read more about −3,000 −3,000 Galápagos Weevil the age and birth Galapaganus conway- of the islands on page 8 1˚N ensis 0 2 4 6

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John Treherne filming Halobates John Treherne and his marine insects In 1978 and 1979, John Treherne in the Galápagos archipelago, mainly and his colleague William Foster spent on the mangrove coasts. several weeks on the Galápagos. Tre- What makes the Halobates unique is herne (1929-1989) was a physiologist, that they benefit from the pollution of director of the Department of Zoology the oceans. The increasing amount of at the University of Cambridge, editor plastic particles in the Pacific provides of the Journal of Experimental Biology them with a new surface to lay their and president of Downing College in eggs on. Thus, the population of Halo- Cambridge. bates has grown significantly. He and Foster studied the behaviour John Treherne not only wrote and ecology of the marine insect Halo- scientific articles on sea skaters, but bates robustus. Insects have colonised also published a book on the turbulent every habitat around the globe, except history of the early European settlers the open ocean. The only ones that on Floreana: Galápagos Affair (1983). Read more about live on the ocean are the Halobates, a Furthermore, he initiated the book endemic genus with 46 species. The sea skater series Key Environments, dedicating its species Halobates robustus can only be found first volume to the Galápagos Islands. on page 35 N othing left to explore? After all these years of intensive unanswered. Many species have not research, it might seem that there is even been recorded yet. Indeed, the nothing left to explore on the Galápa- Galápagos Pink Land Iguana was dis- gos. Yet appearances are deceptive: a covered only in 2009. Two years later, great number of questions still remain Bernard Landry of the Natural History Museum of Geneva discovered a new butterfly species: Cheverella galapagen- sis is a beautifully spotted butterfly that lives on several islands. The Galápagos Islands will undoubtedly reveal many more fascinating research results. In fact, research is often the basis for nature conservation, which in turn is Read more about Read more about a precondition for the preservation nature conservation the Galápagos Pink of Galápagos as a UNESCO World on page 85 Land Iguana Natural Heritage site and the “cradle of on page 43 evolutionary biology”. 82 83 Goat Island Goat Island Goat Island S tudy and protect

he Galápagos archipelago has a natural environment that is unique on earth, and as the “cradle of evolutionary biology”, it is vitally T important. Both of these facts led to the archipelago being de- clared a national park of Ecuador and the first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. This status is in danger, however, because the archipelago has lost its isolation. The uniqueness of the natural environment has long been threatened by introduced animals and plants. Some original species have already become extinct. Nature conservation and research are countering this threat with large-scale projects: extermination of in- troduced animals coupled with breeding and reintroduction of endemic species, which has already succeeded on some islands. However, an end to the problems, reaching from the tiniest parasite to the growth of pop- ulation and tourism, is not in sight. This is why, in the future, nature conservation will still play a leading role in preserving the World Natu- ral Heritage Site of Galápagos.

84 85 Goat Island Goat Island Read more Read more Goat Island about evolution about Introduced species as the main problem of species colonisation In the course of time, humans have introduced about 750 plant The feral goats are the most striking example: they strip land- L ost isolation on page 37 on page 26 species and about 500 insect species to Galápagos. Thirty species scapes bare of vegetation, depriving other species of food. Less of vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals ­conspicuous are tiny insects that cause trouble without being The few animal and plant species to the islands on ships and planes. have established themselves, and they cause great problems. noticed. that accidentally reached and colonised Many of these proliferated, and still do, the Galápagos Islands were able to taking food and living space away from evolve into new species, far away from the native species. This leads to disease the mainland and completely undis- and death. The exploding population turbed. This unique natural environ- and mass tourism are also contributing ment, this natural paradise, developed to endangering the World Natural Her- thanks to isolation. This isolation was itage Site of Galápagos. Whether it will lost, however, when humans both remain a natural paradise depends on intentionally and inadvertently started the success of conservation efforts. to bring non-native animals and plants

Goats may be cute, but they are a threat Most people would probably agree that goats are cute and friendly animals. Black and Brown Rats eat the eggs This is why many do not understand of tortoises and iguanas as well as that the goats on Galápagos have to be the eggs and chicks of birds. They exterminated. also carry parasites and pathogens. Goat invasion Dogs hunt land and marine iguanas Pirates and whalers released domes- and penguins. Cats hunt birds and tic goats on the islands to act as another young iguanas. meat supply in addition to tortoises. Domestic pigs plunder the nests of The settlers brought domestic goats, iguanas and giant tortoises. which proliferated profusely. On Pinta, S ince the discovery of the archipelago in 1535, for example, there were about 667 goats Donkeys have an impact on the flora one introduced plant species on average establish- per square kilometre before they were that is similar to that of goats. es itself every year as a result of human transport, exterminated. while only one plant species every 10,000 years would be able to reach the archipelago from the Survival experts T iny animals that pose mainland naturally. Goats can live anywhere. Their ruminant stomach can digest almost a great threat any plant, and they obtain water from More than a quarter of all insect harmful to reptiles and birds. Among their food. In addition, thanks to their species on Galápagos are introduced these, there is Philornis downsi, a para- hooves, they can climb the jagged (invasive), which means that more than sitic fly that was first recorded in 1964. volcanic cliffs without difficulty. With Competitors for food 500 species are actually non-native. It lays its eggs in birds' nests, where its these gifts, they are perfectly equipped If you know goats, then you know Most of them have been introduced in hatched larvae feed upon the blood of for the bare and dry Galápagos Islands. that they eat more or less anything that the last few decades, especially through the young birds. Sometimes they bore comes their way. This leads to enor- Landscape destroyers vegetable, fruit and wood imports, deep into the nestlings’ bodies, causing mous problems on Galápagos, especial- The goats’ effects on the flora of the which have increased tremendously many to die. The endangered Mangrove ly for giant tortoises and land iguanas, Galápagos Islands are devastating: with the growth of population and Finch Camarhynchus heliobates is because the goats eat away their food. In they eat even the smallest plants that tourism. Once they are established on particularly at risk from this parasite. extreme cases, the goats leave nothing grow on the volcanic rock, and the the islands, the insects, attracted by the Using insecticides to fight this plague whatsoever behind – not even seeds for thin layer of earth underneath, which lights on tourist boats, spread across is problematic, as the unique native the birds or blossoms for the insects. took hundreds of years to be created, is the whole archipelago. insects of Galápagos would be Read more about washed away by the rain. Many plants Many of the introduced insect harmed in the process. Mangrove Finches are threatened by extinction and with species are competitors of the native on page 94 them, many animals. species, or even eat them. Some are also 86 87 Goat Island Goat Island Islanders are more at risk than mainlanders Massive killing for nature conservation – Animal and plant species on islands Read more about eradicating goats on Isabela have a more restricted geographic population and tourism range than the species living on the on page 29 1995 Attention was directed to the goat problem and its dramatic mainland. In the case of Galápagos, consequences for the giant tortoises on North Isabela. many of them cannot be found on every island and a turbances (such as introduced species, 1997 An international workshop integrated the project for the Most of the animal and few even exist only environmental changes, tourism and eradication of pigs that was already running on Santiago plant species that have on a single island. population growth). This is why nature Island, and it was decided to eradicate both goats and pigs. become extinct since th A small geographic conservation efforts are so important the 17 century (earliest range implies unfa- for preserving the unique fauna and 1999 Eradication methods were tested on the small island of Pinta. records) lived on oceanic islands. vourable conditions flora of the Galápagos Islands. for combating dis- 2000 A six-year-programme focusing on Isabela was set up.

2001 Various eradication methods were tested on Santia- Exemplary projects for nature conservation go, an island that is considerably larger than Pinta. 1) Hunters on horseback drove the goats into fenced E radication of goats on ten Galápagos islands areas and killed them. 2) Hunters tracked them down with hunting dogs. 3) Groups of hunters systematical- The feral goats on ten Galápagos methods (“Judas” goats), the project ly paced off individual areas and scared up the goats. islands were successfully eradicated succeeded in eradicating goats. Over thanks to international collaboration. a period of about 50 years, 268,000 2004 In addition, goats were hunted by helicopter on Santiago, By combining knowledge and expe- goats were killed on ten islands. Felipe Isabela and Floreana. After that, sterilised “Judas” goats rience from New Zealand (helicop- Cruz was the leader of this important were released (over 200 on Santiago, 770 on Isabela). ter hunting, use of dogs) with new project. 2005 The last goat on North Isabela was killed. 266 “Judas” goats are kept on the island for monitoring purposes. B y way of compari- Island Island area in km2 Number of goats killed Year of eradication son: 47,000 goats are slaughtered annually Plazas Sur 0.13 5 1961 in Switzerland and Santa Fé 24 3,005 1971 41,000 in Austria. Rábida 5 14 1975 Española 61 3,344 1978 Marchena 130 484 1983 and 2002 Pinta 60 ca. 40,000 2003

Santiago 577 ca. 85,000 2005 T he vegetation on North Isabela 2,400 ca. 135,000 2006 Santiago suffered tremendously from Baltra 25 35 2008 the feral goats and Floreana 172 1'334 2008 is slowy recovering following their erad- ication (above, 2007; below, 2011). Goat hunting with dogs “in boots”. Unlike goats, dogs easily injure “Judas” goats are released when for the remaining herds and “betray” their paws while walking on the only a small number of goats remain the feral goats for the humans to find sharp-edged lava. That is why on an island and are not detectable them. “Mata Hari” goats are sterilised from helicopters. These female female goats in chemically induced special leather shoes were or male goats are sterilised and receptiveness, used to lure male developed for them. This project outfitted with a radio collar. As goats goats out of their hiding places. was supported financially by the are social animals, they instantly look “Swiss Association of Friends of the Galápagos Islands”.

88 89 Goat Island Goat Island

Exemplary projects for nature conservation 1977 Diego, a male tortoise that had been living in the San Diego Zoo since the 1930s, arrived at the Station. Despite being Intensive conservation programmes for giant tortoises over 100 years of age, he continued to help rebuild his island’s popula- Sixty years ago, the number of giant them at a breeding station and to re- tion. tortoises was alarmingly low on many lease the captive-bred tortoises into the islands. First, pirates and whalers cap- wild. At the station, researchers had to 1978 The eradication of the feral domes- tured the animals and stored them alive ensure that the tortoises from the vari- tic goats on Española was complet- on board their ships as food supplies. ous islands would not crossbreed. Of ed (3,344 goats within 10 years). Later, the tortoises had to compete course, the goats had to be eradicated with feral goats for their food. The before the tortoises could be released. 1990 The first nesting grounds of repat- only solution was If not for these intensive conservation riated tortoises were discovered on Galápagos giant tor- often to capture programmes, the tortoises would be Española as well as the carcasses toises living in captivity all the tortoises of extinct today on many islands. of two tortoise hatchlings that had can reach an age of up an island, to breed to 177 years. been killed by hawks.

1991 The first living, newly hatched tortoises were discovered on Española.

Read more about 1994 At least half of all tortoises repatriated nearly 20 pirates and whalers years earlier were still alive. on page 24 2000 The 1,000th tortoise was released on Española.

2007 After a total of 1,482 released tortoises, the successful repatriation programme T oday, five of the fifteen was completed. species of Galápagos giant tortoise are con- 2011 Emma, a tortoise equipped with GPS, sidered to be extinct. provided interesting data about activities Giant tortoises for Española of giant tortoises.

1963–1974 All 14 giant tortoises (2 male and 12 female) were captured and brought to the “Charles Darwin Research Station” on Rescue of land iguanas on Santa Cruz and Isabela Santa Cruz, where the breeding programme for giant tor­ toises was initiated. The first incubators for tortoise eggs were In 1959, there were still a large num- simple constructions without insulation: the temperature in ber of land iguanas living on both is- the incubators alternated between warm and cold – fortu- lands, but in 1975, wild dogs wiped out nately! It was not until later that researchers discovered that most of the existing colonies. In order to the breeding temperature determines the sex of the tortoise. rescue them, the remaining population was captured. However, the hastily built 1968 A programme to eradicate feral domestic breeding and care centre soon ran out of goats on Española was launched. space. Therefore, 38 land iguanas were released on the small island of Venecia, 1970 First successful nesting grounds were where they were kept in “semi-captivi- installed at the Station after numerous ty”. As the ground on the island was in- failures. Eventually, the tortoises laid eggs. adequate for the iguanas to deposit their eggs, 100 cu. m of soil were transferred 1971 The first tortoise hatched at the Station. from Santa Cruz. When the wild dogs on South Isabela and North-West Santa 1975 The first 17 baby tortoises were repatriat- Cruz had been eradicated, the land ed on Española. iguanas were successfully reintroduced.

90 91 Goat Island Goat Island Exemplary projects for nature conservation R at control to protect the Galápagos petrels The Galápagos Petrel Pterodroma in burrows where its eggs and chicks phaeopygia is one of six endemic are preyed upon by introduced cats, seabirds. This long-lived bird nests in pigs and rats in particular, which is the highlands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, why the Galápagos petrel is threatened Floreana, San Cristóbal and Isabela. with extinction. Since 1981, poisoned The populations of these five islands baits have been used to reduce the rat vary in their body features (e.g. feath- populations during the bird’s breeding ering), but also in the size of their eggs season. This successful programme has How land iguanas got from Baltra to Seymour – and back and their calls. Also, they breed at dif- led to an increase in the petrel popula- “Why are there land iguanas living on habitat destruction, heavy traffic and ferent times of the year. The petrel nests tion in recent years. Baltra, but not on the similar island of introduced domestic dogs, cats, rats and Seymour nearby?” an American expedi- goats aggravated the problem. tion team wondered in 1932. On the spur It was therefore only natural to fall back Petrels from Floreana of the moment, the researchers captured on the offspring of the Baltra iguanas, Petrels from Santa Cruz several dozen land iguanas on Baltra and which had been released on Seymour in released them on Seymour. Sixteen years 1932, and to reintroduce them on Baltra. Santa Cruz later, the land iguanas were still abundant In the breeding station, young Seymour on Baltra, but another six years later, all land iguanas were raised and then the iguanas were gone. Their extinction returned to the wild. Since 2008, a viable was attributable to the consequences of the population of land iguanas has been living American military air base that was built on Baltra again. on Baltra during World War II. Direct

Ecuador Biological control The Cottony Cushion Scale Icerya on ten islands. Meanwhile, they have purchasi was reported in Galápagos been established successfully on other for the first time in 1982 and has, islands and are reducing the Cottony Peru since then, colonised 15 islands. It has Cushion Scales on native plants infested at least 62 native or endemic (including the white mangrove, acacia plant species, 16 of which are listed as species and scalesia). The reason why Floreana threatened in the Red List published certain plant species are still infested by by the IUCN (International Union for Cottony Cushion Scales is the subject the Conservation of Nature). This scale of further research. insect damages the plants, stunting This successful programme, launched their growth. by Mark and Christina ­Hoddle (Uni­ In a programme launched in 2002, ver­sity of California) and Roy Van Australian Ladybirds Rodolia cardinalis Driesche (University of Massachu- The Galápagos Petrel is a long-haul traveller are being successfully used to control setts), together with Charlotte Causton the scale insect. However, before the (Charles Darwin Foundation), was sup- The Galápagos Petrel’s habitat only 17 days, the birds travelled up to ladybirds were released on the Galápa- ported financially in 2002 by the “Swiss during the non-breeding season (i.e. 5,281 km, which means that they fly gos Islands, they had to pass numerous Association of Friends of the Galápagos most of the year) was unknown until far beyond the marine reserve limits in tests. Scientists had to be sure that the Islands”. For further information on recently. Thanks to a project conducted their search for food. While the birds ladybirds would really just eat the scale this programme visit: by ­Carolina B. Proaño (Max Planck on Santa Cruz mainly fly east, to the insect and not native insects, and that Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell), coast of South America, the birds on their eating habits did not have any in which ten birds were equipped with Floreana set out southwest, far into the negative effects on the native birds. The GPS transmitters, the migration routes Pacific Ocean. ladybirds passed all the tests with flying http://www.biocontrol.ucr.edu/rodolia/ have now been discovered. Within colours. In 2002, they were released rodolia_icerya_biocontrol_Galápagos.html 92 93 Goat Island Goat Island Exemplary projects for nature conservation T anker accident – Nature conservation benefits from long-term research E ndangered bird species – the Mangrove Finch Camarhynchus heliobates In January 2001, the tanker “Jessica” ran aground off Serious population losses are no exception the San Cristóbal coast. Around 600 tons of crude Changes in ocean current conditions, known as El oil spilled into the ocean. Winds and currents soon Niño, regularly warm up the ocean to such an extent pushed the oil slick far away from the islands into that most algae die off. As Marine Iguanas feed ex- the open sea. Only few animals died as a direct re- clusively on marine algae, up to 90 % of the entire sult of the oil spill. Since oil pollution on the islands' population on certain islands died of starvation after beaches was low, the authorities gave the all-clear. the 1997 El Niño. Researchers also recorded serious population losses due to the same cause in 1983, 1988 and 1992. Otherwise, adult Marine Iguanas mostly die of old age, because they have virtually no enemies.

The search for the cause of death The Mangrove Finch of Galápagos them. Tests are now being conducted to Before and after the tanker accident, there were no is among the rarest bird species and see whether it is possible to trap the flies El Niño episodes. Thus, the widespread deaths on is critically endangered. It has already by attracting them with pheromones. Santa Fé must have had another cause. disappeared from Fernandina and can A far-reaching education programme The iguanas could not have been directly poisoned now only be found in a small number was implemented in the inhabited south by the oil spill, since they died a full year after the ac- of mangrove forests on Isabela. Most of of Isabela in order to teach the resident cident. The algae pastures on which the iguanas feed the Mangrove Finch population, which population about the importance of the were also intact, and as the iguanas kept on eating numbers around 100 birds, is located Mangrove Finches and the mangrove the same amount of algae as before, a change in the in two large mangrove forests, the only forests for the ecosystem – even if scarce- taste of the algae could not be the cause either. The places where they still breed. Thanks to ly anybody ever catches sight of one of research teams ultimately found that the oil had a broad-based monitoring and research these rare finches. damaged the iguanas’ gut flora. Their malfunction- programme, it has become clear that the Mangrove Finches can only survive ing digestion led to severe stress and eventually main reason for the decline in their pop- in the long term if their distribution is Marine Iguana skeletons: an unpleasant caused their death. ulation is their low breeding success. The extended to more mangrove forests. surprise main reasons for this are parasites and New populations must therefore be One year after the tanker accident, Martin Wikelski, Long-term research reveals the cause predation by rats. The birds' breeding established by reintroducing the birds to biologist at the German Max Planck Institute for The tanker accident, although classified as low im- success has been improved by extermi- deserted mangrove forests. This is being Ornithology, and his team found a great number of pact, had serious long-term consequences for the nating the rats. However, it is very dif- done by transferring finches from the Marine Iguana skeletons on Santa Fé. They estimated Marine Iguanas. Without the many years of prior ficult to exterminate the introduced fly existing populations. The first transfers the loss at around 15,000 iguanas, which corresponds study of the Marine Iguanas on the two islands, this species Philornis downsi, whose parasitic have already been carried out in suitable to 62 % of the island’s entire population. No skeletons correlation could never have been discovered. This larvae infest the nestlings and cause their mangrove forests. were found on Genovesa Island, located considerably is also one of the few examples where the creeping death. It is not possible to simply use in- further away from the tanker accident site. It there- consequences of “low-risk” environmental pollution secticides, as this would also destroy the fore seemed likely that there was a connection be- have been examined at all. tween the oil pollution and the death of the iguanas native insects. Therefore, the nestlings Read more about must be treated directly with insecticides, on Santa Fé. In order to prove this, researchers pored Marine Iguanas but the nests are often located so high over the data on the Marine Iguana populations on on page 60 up in the trees that it is difficult to reach both islands that had been gathered over 20 years. 94 95 Goat Island Goat Island

History of nature conservation on Galápagos 1998 Establishment of the Galápagos Marine Ninety-five per cent of the Galápagos and supervises tourism, while the Reserve. Start of “Pro- Islands form the Galápagos National foundation runs research and nature ject Isabela” (largest Park, which is governed by Ecuador. conservation programmes. Together, goat eradication and Two institutions look after the park: they have the primary responsibility for ecosystem restoration The “Galápagos National Park Service” nature conservation and for ensuring programme world- on the one hand and the “Charles Dar- sustainable development on the islands. wide). Opening of the win Foundation”, which operates a care environmental education and breeding centre for giant tortoises centres on Santa Cruz, and iguanas, on the other. The Park www.darwinfoundation.org San Cristóbal and Isabela Service employs rangers and guides www.galapagospark.org to the public.

2001 UNESCO extended the World Heritage Site to include the 1959 The “Charles Darwin Foundation” was marine reserve. The IUCN included all endemic plants of established with the support of the Galápagos in their Red List of Threatened Species. Accident IUCN (International Union for the of the oil tanker “Jessica”. Conservation of Nature) and UNESCO. Ecuador founded the Galápagos Nation- 2003 Ecuador enacted the law for total control of introduced spe- al Park. cies in Galápagos. T he chief executive of 1960 As the first director of the research 2007 The Ecuadorian president declared that the protection of the UNESCO, Amadou station, Raymond Lévêque from Swit- Galápagos was a matter of vital national importance. Mahtar-M‘Bow, and the zerland decided to build the station on UNESCO put the Galápagos Islands on its List of World minister of education Santa Cruz, thus turning the island into Heritage in Danger. of Ecuador, general the archipelago’s primary research and Fernando Dobronsky travel destination. T oday Apart from the introduced animals and plants, tourism Ojeda, inaugurated the and the resulting population growth pose the primary plaque on Santa Cruz on 1964 Opening of the “Charles Darwin Re- ­challenges for nature conservation. Tourism on Galápagos July 28th 1979. search Station”, including a herbarium generates a great deal of money, but not all of it is used for (accommodating today’s largest plant nature conservation projects. collection on the Galápagos Islands), in Puerto Ayora.

1965 Start of the giant tortoise reintroduction programme.

1968 The National Park started its operations. Read more about Read more about the tanker accident population growth 1971 Lonesome George, the last remaining on page 95 and tourism on page 29 Pinta Galápagos Tortoise, was discov- ered. From 1972, he lived at the “Charles Fishing in the Galápagos Marine Reserve is Darwin Research Station”, where he died regulated. Indigenous fishermen are allowed to in 2012. fish under certain conditions. Fishermen from the continent are not allowed to fish at all. 1972 Scholarships and voluntary programmes However, illegal fishing is thriving, and this is a for Ecuadorian students. big problem for nature conservation, affecting especially sharks, tuna and sea cucumbers. In 1976 Start of the land iguana reintroduction order to find the criminal fishermen, the reserve programme. is monitored by ships and planes under the management of the Galápagos National Park 1978 UNESCO recognised the islands as a Service (GNPS). Since the implementation of a World Heritage Site. Satellite Vessel Monitoring System, the number of illegal fishing vessels captured has increased 1984 UNESCO recognised the national park significantly. as a Biosphere Reserve. 96 97 Projekt1 22.10.2012 12:22 Uhr Seite 1

Goat Island Goat Island

Swiss Association of Friends of the Galápagos Islands, c/o Zoo Zürich, Zürichbergstrasse 221, CH-8044 Zürich, phone +41 (0)44 254 28 81, [email protected]

Nachhaltiges Engagement für Galápagos Sustainable commitment to Galapagos

Der Verein Freunde der Galápagos Inseln (Schweiz) engagiert Since 1994, the Swiss Association of Friends of the Galapagos Islands sich seit 1994 für den Schutz und Erhalt der Artenvielfalt in has been committed to protect and preserve the unique biodiversity of Galápagos. Ein Schwerpunkt ist die Aus- und Weiterbildung von the Galapagos Islands. One of the association’s core missions consists einheimischen Fachleuten. Dank seinen 1500 Mitgliedern konnten in ensuring the training and higher education of local experts. Thanks bisher mehr als 30 Projekte mit insgesamt rund 1,5 Millionen to our 1500 members, 30 projects involving approx. CHF 1.5 million, Schweizer Franken unterstützt werden. have been funded.

Sustainable commitment to Galápagos The Swiss Association of Friends of the Galápagos Islands is part of an international network of organizations and works closely together Since 1994, the Swiss Association of Friends of the Galápagos Islands with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galápagos National Park, has been committed to protect and preserve the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos Conservancy (USA), the Galápagos Conservation the Galápagos Islands. One of the association’s core missions consists Trust (UK), the Dutch Friends of Galápagos as well as Zurich Zoo, in ensuring the training and education of local experts. Thanks to our the University of Zurich, the Museum of Natural History of the City 1,500 members, 30 projects involving approx. CHF 1.5 million have of Geneva, and other institutions. been funded. For additional information: www.galapagos-ch.org 98 99 Der Verein Freunde der Galápagos Inseln (Schweiz) ist Teil eines The Swiss Association of Friends of the Galapagos Islands is part of weltweiten Netzes von Organisationen und arbeitet eng mit der an international network of organizations and works closely together Charles Darwin Stiftung, dem Galápagos National Park, der with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, Galápagos Conservancy (USA), dem Galápagos Conservation Trust the Galapagos Conservancy (USA), the Galapagos Conservation (UK), den Dutch Friends of Galápagos sowie mit dem Zoo Zürich, Trust (UK), the Dutch Friends of Galapagos as well as Zurich Zoo, dem Zoologischen Institut der Universität Zürich, dem Natur- the Institute of Zoology of Zurich University, the Museum of Natural historischen Museum Genf und anderen Institutionen zusammen. History of the City of Geneva, and other institutions.

Mehr Informationen: www.galapagos-ch.org For additional information: www.galapagos-ch.org

Freunde der Galápagos Inseln (Schweiz) / Swiss Association of Friends of the Galapagos Islands, c/o Zoo Zürich, Zürichbergstrasse 221, CH-8044 Zürich, Telefon +41 (0)44 254 28 81, [email protected] Appendix Appendix in a tank, scissors, blood in a tank, scissors, 2 , pliers, stopwatch, needles, needles, stopwatch, , pliers, ttery and replacement batteryttery and replacement , small notes (USD has been the official , small notes aterproof paper, waterproof pens waterproof paper, aterproof ash, small notes (USD is the official currencyash, small notes in e, wing measuring ruler, Cryomarkers, PVC glue, glue, PVC Cryomarkers, wing measuring ruler, e, ensils er for camera lens camera er for er for camera lens (recommended) camera er for wner ingredients or catching birds or catching µl pipett g, 100g, 300g), 1,000 Eppendorf tubes, 27 bird bags 300g), 1,000 Eppendorf 27 bird 100g, tubes, g,

et knife pack and waterproof kit bag kit pack and waterproof pack or waterproof kit bag for field trips bag for kit pack or waterproof epair kit k

tionary (Spanish-English) d traps aterproof camera case for wet landings casewet camera for aterproof orage boxes, calliper, bird traps, bananas for baits, needles, needles, baits, bananas for traps, bird calliper, boxes, orage avel alarm clock avel amera including memory cards and batteries or charging or charging including memoryamera and batteries cards amera including rolls of film (Galápagos 100 ASA) or memory(Galápagos 100 ASA) of film including rolls amera omputer (will only be used in the village, not in the field) and (will only be used in the village, omputer stopper, beaker, GPS devices, 2 small memo notepads, 2 2 small memo notepads, GPS devices, beaker, stopper, gloves, leather handkerchiefs, 2 thermometers, compasses, the storage liquids for distilled water, disposable gloves, laboratory labels syringe box, swabs, alcohol of samples, notepaper in advance), (prepared card 2000), credit since Ecuador cases in weatherproof device booklet with w c battery replacement solar panels with ba nets f net r bir US dollars in c back c UV filt plastic and aluminium rings st several tank, capillaries, liquid nitrogen disinfecting wipes, liquid CO markers, waterproof 1-20 nail scissors, tweezers, pair of compasses, magnifying glass, spring scales Pesola banding journals, bird pens, ballpoint (50 cards, batteries or charging device or charging batteries cards, passport enough US dollars 2000) currency since in Ecuador/Galápagos back c UV filt w tr binoculars torch pock writing ut guide book dic games sundo

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ostume orch, 2 spare batteries, 2 shake torches 2 shake batteries, 2 spare orch, Fish” et knife, Leatherman/Victorinox Multitool Leatherman/Victorinox et knife, it (antibiotics, antihistamines, painkillers, sticking sticking painkillers, antihistamines, it (antibiotics, or the Galápagos National Park, Ecuador Park, or the Galápagos National from or the importation Switzerland of samples into ulars (min. 8 or 10x42) een (min. SPF 15 needed!) ation against seasickness ation wear, socks wear, -resistant cases for the research material, aluminium material, casesthe research for -resistant elling gear “Where there is no doctor” there “Where of Galápagos” “Birds of Galápagos” Plants “Flowering t repellent ts and trousers dy hiking sandals that are all right to get wet to all right are sandals that dy hiking t tape ing boots tionary (Spanish-English) tellite telephone, radio devices radio telephone, tellite oad-brimmed hat ganise crossings to the lonely islands (dates, important the lonely islands (dates, to ganise crossings CH-Guayaquil-Galápa- material ganise transport of research arm sweater clothing aterproof/windproof bottle ater fter Sunfter lotion -shirts or blouses/shirts with long or short sleeves ustoms declaration (ATA Carnet): import Carnet): and export of (ATA declaration ustoms wo towels wo oiletries, personal medication, hand mirror, insect repellent, insect repellent, hand mirror, personal medication, oiletries, oiletries, personal medication oiletries, epair kit containing wire, string, cable ties, pliers, screwdriver, screwdriver, pliers, cable ties, string, wire, containing epair kit olding shovel phone numbers of the people involved) tank) samples in the liquid nitrogen of frozen gos (especially t tweezers first-aid k book sa passport or dic book book book “Reef permits f c devices expensive permits f or 2 binoc good head t alarm clock good pock duc r f tarpaulin shock padlocks boxes, plasters, blister plasters, bandage, splint, disinfectant, etc.) disinfectant, splint, bandage, plasters, blister plasters, Office Veterinary the Federal duct etc. glue, tape, screws, T w shor under w hik stur sunscr A sunglasses br swimming c t snork wetsuit insec t medic w

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Both on board and on the islands, casual and sporty and on the islands, Both on board clothing is in (luggage: max. 20 kg) order – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – , mat ostume, towels ostume, et ts and trousers aterproof clothing aterproof wear, socks wear, elling gear artridge, gas cartridge spare dy hiking boots, spare shoelaces spare boots, dy hiking sandals dy hiking ter, spare lighter, 5 matchboxes lighter, spare ter, T-shirts with shortT-shirts and long sleeves e flannel, clothes pegs e flannel, oad-brimmed hat, bandana oad-brimmed hat, ater bottles ater fter Sunfter lotion utlery, crockery, chopping board, bowl, sharp knives bowl, chopping board, crockery, utlery, ooker, pots, cooking spoon cooking pots, ooker, ents, sun canopy, poles and ropes sun canopy, ents, seam sealing tape tent kit, repair ent ubbish sacks old old shor under good w stur stur A br swimming c snork fac t t sleeping bag c gas c ligh c r plastic buck w field chairs sweater sunscreen sunglasses hammock Tourist checklist Tourist checklist Researcher

– – – – – – – – Field work in Galápagos with mockingbirds work Field e.g. equipment work field and (camping cargo as sent kg 140 About of kg 20 plus tank, etc.) nitrogen liquid banding, and catching bird for etc.) books, bags, waterproof luggage per person (clothes, check-in – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 100 101 Appendix Appendix ooperate with the environmental inspection and quarantine with the environmental ooperate o catch and eat certain and eat marine animals outside the fishing o catch ts ing and making camp fires ing and making orized aquatic sports aquatic orized y type of fishing activity, including from tour boats including from y type of fishing activity, o not remove anything from the islands. from anything o not remove or any rock volcanic shells, black coral, made from souvenirs o not buy any eave the surroundings intact. Do not inscribe or disfigure rocks, trees or trees rocks, Do intact. not inscribe or disfigure the surroundings eave ake all types of rubbish back with you to the populated areas and dispose of areas the populated to all types back with you of rubbish ake Please fully c animals and certain types plants, Introduced services visit. during your the to a very serious threat the islands are to not native which are of food Galápagos ecosystems. D D It is illegal t season. Please report such activity any the authorities. to L T smok mot using mini-submarines air spor an animal or plant parts.animal or plant way. in any walls containers. recycling them in the appropriate

– – – – – – – activities The following are strictly prohibited: – – – – eep your distance from the wildlife. A distance of two metres (6 ft) is metres of two A distance the wildlife. from distance eep your ou want your trip to Galápagos to be an enjoyable one, please use the one, be an enjoyable Galápagos to trip to your ou want o not use flash when photographing the wildlife; it can alter their natural their natural it the wildlife; can alter o not use flash when photographing isitors to any protected areas in the National Park have to be accompanied be accompanied to have Park in the National areas protected any to isitors or your own safety and to help protect the plants and animals, please stay please stay and animals, the plants help protect safety own and to or your o help protect the balance of nature, do not feed the wildlife. do not feed of nature, the balance o help protect the from must obtain authorization you camping sites, o use the authorized V If y F Please k you. touch them to or animals allow Doplants not touch required. T D T by a licenced Galápagos National Park Guide. Park Galápagos National a licenced by boats. and / or tour service operators tour of authorized trails. within the marked National must have and filmmakers photographers Professional behaviour. authorization. Park office. Park National

– As a visitor to this National Park and Word Heritage site, please do site, Heritage and Word Park As this National to a visitor part their conservation. promote your to – – – – – – Welcome to the Galápagos to Islands! Welcome

102 103 Appendix Appendix ore leaving for the field, you may not eat anything containing containing anything not eat you may the field, for leaving ore eral islands have to be visited, you must go back into quarantine on quarantine must go back into you be visited, to islands have eral ithin a year after their trip, researchers must submit a final report must submit a final in Span- researchers their trip, after ithin a year n arrival in Santa Cruz, you must report immediately to the Director of the the Director to must report immediately you in Santa Cruz, n arrival ll clothes, shoes and equipment will be inspected shoes and equipment and then cleaned in ll clothes, efore returning home, researchers should be prepared to spend 3 more spend 3 more to should be prepared researchers home, returning efore report must be a two-page the Galápagosresearch Islands, leaving efore ou will first be held in quarantine for at least 3 days. for ou will first be held in quarantine yucca e.g. seeds, any do not contain products that only bring food ou may O Y A 72 hours bef Y If sev B back samples. take to especially if they want in quarantine, days B the GNP. handed in to W GNP in Puerto Ayora with the letter of approval for your project. Here, you you Here, project. your for of approval with the letter GNP in Puerto Ayora to carry permission definite out the project. will receive seeds and and distribution of non-native the introduction avoid to order organisms. because seeds are raspberries) guavas, passion fruits, tomatoes, seeds (e.g. they do not belong. where end up in places and could not digested accidental avoid to another island in order each trip to before Santa Cruz the islands. between organisms distribution of non-native the research way in what among other things, It must state, the GNP. ish to of the Galápagos Islands. help with the protection may results roots, potatoes, carrots, beetroots, radishes, garlic, onions, bananas, break- bananas, onions, garlic, radishes, beetroots, carrots, potatoes, roots, fast cereals.

Duringwork: field – work: After field – – – – – – – – eneral collectingeneral museums or similar institutions is strictly of samples for utting marks on animals and plants as well as placing landmarks is only as well utting marks on animals and plants ubmit the project proposal to the GNP for approval at least 6 months before before least 6 months at approval the GNP for to ubmit the project proposal he GNP does not allow collectinghe GNP does not allow of endemic animals or animal parts. Ex- (or only minimal damage). damage not cause any work may he field at the same to max. 5 people 2 only accommodate may work area he field reason, For this very staff is of Ecuadorian importanthe training to the GNP. quipment should be kept in aluminium boxes or airtight plastic containers. in aluminium boxes should be kept quipment ield work in tourist areas is strictly areas prohibited. in tourist ield work S G T F T P T T E the startwork. of the field prohibited. important is extremely the survival for can be made if the research ceptions of the species. use. after completely Remove necessary. permissible if absolutely time. Ecuador. of must be citizens 50 % of the field assistants

When carrying out field research in the Galápagos National Park (GNP), the fol - the (GNP), Park carrying in the Galápagos National When research out field the GNP): must be observed rules by lowing (an extractset down the rules from work: field Before – – – – – – – – – Rules for researchers Rules for

104 105 Appendix Appendix Santa Cruz Galápagos Tortoise Santa Cruz Galápagos porteriChelonoidis Painted Locust Painted melanocera Schistocera or Xenocys Salema Juvenile of the genus Xenichthys Sally Lightfood Crab Sally Crab Lightfood grapsus Grapsus Española Galápagos Tortoise hoodensis Chelonoidis Nerite Snail Snail Nerite scabricosta Nerita 162 species Bulimulus Invertebrates Fish 1 Reptiles Wildlife Guide to the Exhibition Guide to Wildlife Silver Argiope Silver argentata Argiope Pinzón Galápagos Tortoise ephippium Chelonoidis Genus White-Tipped Reef Shark White-Tipped obesus Triaenodon 106 107 Appendix Appendix

Floreana Lava Lizard (male) Lizard Lava Floreana grayi Microlophus Santa Fé Land Iguana Santa Fé pallidus Conolophus This roughly 50-year old Galápagos tortoise giant 50-year roughly This caught in named Cazuela, was a female sp., Chelonoidis in Stuttgart Zoo in Wilhelma to the wild and brought the only Zoo, Zurich at 2010 she lived 2002 to 1966. From Galápagos giant breeds which successfully in Europe zoo tortoises. sp. Galápagos tortoise giant Chelonoidis Galápagos Snake Alsophis biserialis Green Iguana Green iguana Iguana does not occur in Galápagos) in the exhibition, (shown Marine Iguana cristatusAmblyrhynchus Reptiles 2 Reptiles Wildlife Guide to the Exhibition Guide to Wildlife Floreana Lava Lizard (female) Lizard Lava Floreana grayi Microlophus Alcedo Alcedo Galápagos Tortoise vandenburghi Chelonoidis Turtle Pacific Green mydas Chelonia Galápagos Land Iguana subcristatus Conolophus 108 109 Appendix Appendix Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii Heron Striated striata Butorides Gull Swallow-tailed furcatus Creagrus Nazca Booby Sula granti Waved Albatross Waved Phoebastria irrorata Galápagos Hawk galapagoensis Buteo Great Frigatebird Great minor Fregata Birds 1 Birds Wildlife Guide to the Exhibition Guide to Wildlife Galápagos Penguin Spheniscus mendiculus Pelican Brown occidentalis Pelecanus Cormorant Flightless harrisi Phalacrocorax Flamingo Greater ruber Phoenicopterus 110 111 Appendix Appendix Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Galápagos Mockingbird parvulusMimus Cactus-Finch Common scandens Geospiza San Mockingbird Cristóbal melanotis Mimus Ground-Finch Large magnirostris Geospiza Galápagos Dove galapagoensis Zenaida Birds 2 Birds Wildlife Guide to the Exhibition Guide to Wildlife Small Tree-Finch parvulus Camarhynchus Brown Noddy Brown Anous stolidus Large-billed Flycatcher magnirostris Myiarchus Mockingbird Floreana trifasciatusMimus 112 113 Appendix Appendix Domestic Dog lupus familiaris Canis Domestic Goat hircus Capra House Rat House Rattus rattus Galápagos Fur SealGalápagos Fur galapagoensis Arctocephalus Mammals Wildlife Guide to the Exhibition Guide to Wildlife Galápagos Sea Lion wollebaeki Zalophus Galápagos Rice Rat galapagoensis Aegialomys 114 115

Appendix Appendix

unassigned records unassigned

uninhabited islands uninhabited x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x inhabited island inhabited x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x xx xx x x x x x x x x x x x x

Distribution

Not Evaluated Evaluated Not x x x x x

Least Concern Least x x x

Near Threatened Near x x x x x x x x x x x

Vulnerable x x x x x x x x x x x

Endangered x x x x x x

Critically Endangered Critically x x x x

Extinct in the Wild the in Extinct Extinct

IUCN red list IUCN red

introduced x x x x x x x

native endemic xx x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx xx x x x x x x x x x xx x x xx x x x xx x x xx x x x x x x xx x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x Origin

Scientific name (Sort sequence) Amblyrhynchus cristatus Amblyrhynchus Alsophis biserialis Alsophis biserialis Chelonoidis becki Chelonoidis Antillophis sleveni Antillophis sleveni Antillophis steindachneri abingdoni Chelonoidis Chelonoidis porteriChelonoidis Chelonoidis phantastica Chelonoidis Chelonoidis chathamensis Chelonoidis Chelonoidis vandenburghi vandenburghi Chelonoidis Chelonoidis sp. Chelonoidis Chelonoidis microphyes Chelonoidis Chelonoidis ephippium ephippium Chelonoidis hoodensis Chelonoidis Chelonoidis elephantophus Chelonoidis guntheri Chelonoidis Chelonoidis darwiniChelonoidis Conolophus subcristatus Conolophus Conolophus pallidus Conolophus Conolophus marthae Conolophus Chelonoidis vicina vicina Chelonoidis wallacei Chelonoidis Eumeces inexpectatus Eumeces Gonatodes caudiscutatus Iguana iguana iguana Iguana Lepidodactylus lugubris Microlophus albemarlensis Microlophus bivittatus Microlophus Phyllodactylus galapagoensis Phyllodactylus gilberti Phyllodactylus leei Phyllodactylus reissi Phyllodactylus darwini Microlophus habelii habelii Microlophus indefatigabilis Microlophus Microlophus grayi Microlophus Microlophus delanonis delanonis Microlophus Microlophus duncanensis Microlophus Phyllodactylus sp. unifilis Podocnemis Phyllodactylus baurii Phyllodactylus baurii Phyllodactylus barringtonensis Phyllodactylus barringtonensis Philodryas hoodensis Microlophus jacobi jacobi Microlophus pacificus Microlophus Trachemys scripta scripta Trachemys Species name inexistent) (*official English Marine Iguana Marine Iguana Galápagos Snake - biserialis* Galápagos Snake Reptile species of the Galápagos archipelago Volcán Wolf Galápagos Tortoise Galápagos Wolf Tortoise Volcán Galápagos Snake - sleveni* Galápagos Snake - dorsalis* Galápagos Snake Pinta Galápagos Tortoise Santa Cruz Galápagos Tortoise Galápagos Santa Cruz Fernandina Fernandina Galápagos Tortoise San Cristóbal Galápagos Tortoise GalápagosSan Cristóbal Alcedo Alcedo Galápagos Tortoise Santa Fé Galápagos Tortoise Galápagos Santa Fé Volcán Darwin Galápagos Tortoise Darwin Galápagos Volcán Pinzón Pinzón Galápagos Tortoise Española Galápagos Tortoise Floreana Floreana Galápagos Tortoise Tortoise Galápagos Negra Sierra Santiago Galápagos Tortoise Galápagos Land Iguana Galápagos Iguana Land Santa Fé Land Iguana Iguana Land Santa Fé Pink Land Iguana Iguana Land Pink Cerro Azul Galápagos Tortoise Azul Galápagos Cerro Rábida Galápagos Tortoise Southeastern Five-lined Skink Skink Five-lined Southeastern Gecko - Gonatodes * - Gonatodes Gecko Green Iguana Green Mourning Gecko Mourning Gecko Albemarle Lava Lizard Lizard Lava Albemarle * Lizard Lava San Cristóbal Galápagos' Gecko - gilbertiGecko * - leei * Gecko * - reissi Gecko Darwin's Gecko Marchena Lava Lizard * Lizard Lava Marchena * Lizard Lava indefatigable Floreana Lava Lizard * Lizard Lava Floreana Española Lava Lizard * Lizard Española Lava Pinzón Lava Lizard * Lizard Lava Pinzón Rabida Gecko Turtle River Yellow-spotted Gecko - bauri * Gecko Gecko - barringtonensis * - barringtonensis Gecko Española Galápagos Snake Santiago Lava Lizard * Lizard Santiago Lava * Lizard Lava Pinta Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle Yellow-bellied Reptiles

116 117

Appendix Appendix

unassigned records unassigned x x x x x x x x x x

uninhabited islands uninhabited x x x

inhabited island inhabited x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x

Distribution

Not Evaluated Evaluated Not

Least Concern Least xx x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x xxx x x x x x x xx x x x x x x xxx xxx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Near Threatened Near

Vulnerable x x x

Endangered

Critically Endangered Critically x x Extinct in the Wild the in Extinct

IUCN red list IUCN red

migratory

introduced x x x x x x

native xx x x xx x x x x x x x xx x x xx x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x endemic xx x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x xx x x x x x x x x Origin

Anas platyrhynchos Anas platyrhynchos Camarhynchus pauper Camarhynchus psittacula Camarhynchus semipalmatus Catoptrophorus olivacea Certhidea alcyon Ceryle Camarhynchus parvulus Camarhynchus fusca Certhidea semipalmatus Charadrius minor Chordeiles Coturnix coturnix Coturnix ani Crotophaga Camarhynchus heliobates heliobates Camarhynchus melacoryphus Coccyzus livia Columba furcatus Creagrus Calidris minutilla minutilla Calidris Anas discors Anas discors Anous stolidus Anser anser interpres Arenaria Asio flammeus Bubulcus ibis Anas bahamensis Anas bahamensis herodias Ardea galapagoensis Buteo Larus fuliginosus fuliginosus Larus Camarhynchus pallidus Camarhynchus Daption capense Dendroica petechia petechia Dendroica oryzivorus Dolichonyx peregrinus Falco Calidris alba Calidris Ardea alba alba Ardea striata Butorides sundevalli Butorides magnificens Fregata minor Fregata chloropus Gallinula Gallus gallus domesticus incanus Heteroscelus mexicanus Himantopus rustica Hirundo Actitis macularius Geospiza conirostris Geospiza fortis Geospiza fuliginosa Geospiza magnirostris Geospiza scandens Geospiza palliatus Haematopus Geospiza difficilis difficilis Geospiza atricilla Larus Larus pipixcan Larus spilonotus Laterallus Scientific name (Sort sequence) Birds 1 Birds Mallard Medium Tree-Finch Tree-Finch Large Willet Finch Warbler Green Belted Kingfisher Small Tree-Finch Small Tree-Finch Finch Warbler Gray Plover Semipalmated Nighthawk Common Common Quail Common Smooth-billed Ani Mangrove Finch Mangrove Cuckoo Dark-billed Rock Pigeon Gull Swallow-tailed Least Sandpiper Least Blue-winged Teal Noddy Brown Goose Greylag Ruddy Turnstone Short-eared Owl Egret Cattle White-cheeked Pintail Blue Heron Great Galápagos Hawk Lava Gull Lava Woodpecker Finch Finch Woodpecker Petrel Cape Yellow Warbler Warbler Yellow Bobolink Falcon Peregrine Sanderling Great Egret Egret Great Heron Striated Galápagos Heron Frigatebird Magnificent Frigatebird Great Moorhen Common Barn Fowl Tattler Wandering Stilt Black-necked Barn Swallow Bird species of the Galápagos archipelago Bird Sandpiper Spotted Large Cactus-Finch Large Medium Ground-Finch Small Ground-Finch Ground-Finch Large Cactus-Finch Common American Oystercatcher Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch Ground-Finch Sharp-beaked Finch" "Vampire Gull Laughing Franklin's Gull Gull Franklin's Galápagos Rail Species

118 119

Appendix Appendix

unassigned records unassigned x x x x x x x x x x x

uninhabited islands uninhabited x x x x x inhabited island inhabited x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Distribution

Not Evaluated Evaluated Not x x x x

Least Concern Least x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Near Threatened Near

Vulnerable x x x

Endangered x x x

Critically Endangered Critically x x x Extinct in the Wild the in Extinct

IUCN red list IUCN red

migratory

introduced x x x

native x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x endemic xx x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Origin

Scientific name (Sort sequence) Limnodromus griseus griseus Limnodromus Meleagris gallopavo Meleagris Mimus macdonaldi macdonaldi Mimus melanotis Mimus parvulus Mimus Mimus trifasciatus trifasciatus Mimus magnirostris Myiarchus Neocrex erythrops Neocrex Numenius phaeopus Numida meleagris Numida meleagris Nyctanassa violacea Nyctanassa violacea Nycticorax nycticorax Nycticorax Oceanites gracilis gracilis Oceanites Oceanodroma castro castro Oceanodroma Oceanodroma tethys tethys Oceanodroma haliaetus Pandion Pavo muticus muticus Pavo Pelecanus occidentalis occidentalis Pelecanus Phaethon aethereus Phalacrocorax harrisi harrisi Phalacrocorax Phalaropus fulicarius fulicarius Phalaropus Phalaropus lobatus Phalaropus tricolor Phalaropus Phoebastria irrorata Phoebastria irrorata Phoenicopterus ruber ruber Phoenicopterus Platyspiza crassirostris Pluvialis dominica Pluvialis dominica Pluvialis fulva Pluvialis squatarola Pluvialis squatarola Podilymbus podiceps podiceps Podilymbus Procellaria parkinsoni parkinsoni Procellaria modesta Progne Puffinus subalaris subalaris Puffinus Pterodroma phaeopygia Pterodroma Pyrocephalus rubinus rubinus Pyrocephalus Spheniscus mendiculus Stercorarius longicaudus longicaudus Stercorarius fuscata Sterna Sterna hirundo hirundo Sterna Sula granti Sula granti Sula nebouxii Sula nebouxii Sula sula Sula sula Sterna maxima Sterna Tringa flavipes flavipes Tringa Tringa melanoleuca melanoleuca Tringa Tyto alba alba Tyto Zenaida galapagoensis galapagoensis Zenaida Birds 2 Birds Species Bird species of the Galápagos archipelago Bird Short-billed Dowitcher Wild Turkey Wild Hood Mockingbird Hood Mockingbird San Cristóbal Galápagos Mockingbird Floreana Mockingbird Floreana Large-billed Flycatcher Paint-billed Crake Crake Paint-billed Whimbrel Helmeted Guineafowl Guineafowl Helmeted Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Black-crowned Night-Heron Night-Heron Black-crowned White-vented Storm-Petrel White-vented Madeiran Storm-Petrel Storm-Petrel Madeiran Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Wedge-rumped Osprey Green Peafowl Peafowl Green Brown Pelican Brown Red-billed Tropicbird Red-billed Tropicbird Flightless Cormorant Flightless Red Phalarope Red Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Wilson's Waved Albatross Waved Greater Flamingo Greater Vegetarian Finch Vegetarian American Golden-Plover Pacific Golden-Plover Golden-Plover Pacific Grey Plover Grey Pied-billed Grebe Pied-billed Parkinson's Petrel Parkinson's Galápagos Martin Galápagos Shearwater Galápagos Shearwater Galápagos Petrel Vermilion Flycatcher Flycatcher Vermilion Galápagos Penguin Galápagos Penguin Long-tailed Jaeger Long-tailed Sooty Tern Common Tern Tern Common Nazca Booby Booby Nazca Blue-footed Booby Blue-footed Booby Red-footed Booby Booby Red-footed Royal Tern Tern Royal Lesser Yellowlegs Yellowlegs Lesser Greater Yellowlegs Yellowlegs Greater Barn Owl Barn Owl Galápagos Dove 120 121

Appendix Appendix

unassigned records unassigned

unassigned records unassigned x x x

uninhabited islands uninhabited

uninhabited islands uninhabited x x x x x

inhabited island inhabited

inhabited island inhabited x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x xx x x x x x x x x x

Distribution Distribution

Not Evaluated Evaluated Not Not Evaluated Evaluated Not

Least Concern Least

Least Concern Least x x x x x x x

Near Threatened Near Near Threatened Near

Vulnerable

Vulnerable x x x x

Endangered

Endangered x x

Critically Endangered Critically Critically Endangered Critically

Extinct in the Wild the in Extinct Extinct in the Wild the in Extinct

Extinct Extinct

IUCN red list IUCN red IUCN red list IUCN red

introduced

x introduced x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

native

x x native

endemic x x endemic x x x x xx x x x x xx x x x x x x x Origin Origin

Scientific name (Sort sequence) Scientific name Bos taurus Bos taurus Arctocephalus galapagoensis Arctocephalus Aegialomys galapagoensis Aegialomys Scinax quinquefasciatus Canis lupus familiaris lupus familiaris Canis Capra hircus Capra Cavia porcellus Cavia Equus asinus asinus asinus Equus Equus caballus Equus Oryctolagus cuniculus Oryctolagus cuniculus Nesoryzomys swarthi swarthi Nesoryzomys Nesoryzomys narboroughi narboroughi Nesoryzomys Nesoryzomys indefessus indefessus Nesoryzomys Felis catus Felis Mus musculus Homo sapiens Homo Megaoryzomys curioi fernandinae Nesoryzomys Ovis aries Rattus norvegicus Rattus norvegicus Rattus rattus Lasiurus cinereus cinereus Lasiurus Lasiurus borealis borealis Lasiurus darwiniNesoryzomys Saguinus oedipus Saguinus oedipus Zalophus wollebaeki wollebaeki Zalophus Sus scrofa domesticus Sus scrofa Mammals Amphibians Species name inexistent) (*official English Species name inexistent) (*official English Domestic Cattle Domestic Cattle Galápagos Fur Seal Galápagos Fur Mammal species of the Galápagos archipelago Galápagos Rice Rat Amphibian species of the Galápagos archipelago * Treefrog Snouted Domestic Dog Domestic Goat Domestic Goat Domestic Guinea Pig Donkey Domestic Horse European Rabbit Rabbit European Santiago Galápagos Rice * Rat Fernandina Rice * Rat Fernandina Santa Cruz Rice Rat Rice Rat Santa Cruz Domestic Cat Mouse House Human Galápagos Rat Giant Rice * Rat Fernandina Domestic Sheep Brown Rat Brown Black Rat Rat, House Hoary Bat Hoary Bat Red Bat Red Bat Darwin's Rice * Rat Cotton-top Tamarin Cotton-top Galápagos Sea Lion Domestic Pig 122 123 Appendix Appendix Bern: Simowa Verlag. Galápagos: die verwunschenen Inseln. Bern: Simowa Quito-Ecuador: Ediciones Abya-Yala. Abya-Yala. Quito-Ecuador: Ediciones PATO. Press. University Cornell Ithaca, NY: the for Darwin Charles The Foundation Quito: Galapagos giant tortoise. Galapagos Islands. Macmillan. London: Imagine Publishing. NJ: Princeton Princeton, hazard. a global climate into current ting Peruvian Press. University Books. DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, Inc. Norton & Company, W.W. NY: York, New History History the Natural Press. the American Museum of Natural for by of Oklahoma Press. Lawrence. Press. University Oxford Oxford: 2nd ed. and conservation. evolution, ecology, Press. University Stanford Kleine und Schutz. Senckenber- Gefährdung Erforschung, Inseln: Entstehung, Sonderheft 20, Palmengarten 22. Frankfurt: Forschungsinstitut Nr. greihe Frankfurt. der Stadt und Palmengarten Senckenberg und Naturmuseum Historia Política Internacional de las Islas Internacional Galápagos. Política A. 1997. Historia TOBAR, LUNA Books on Demand. Norderstedt: der Galapagos. H. 2007. Naturgeschichte LÜCKER, of Galapagos Guayaquil: 1535-2000. chronology 2006. Historical J.E. MACHUCA, plants of the Galápagos. MCMULLEN, C. K. 1999. Flowering 1999. MELI, W. of the dynasty: the tortoise MERLEN, G. 1999. Restoring the decline and recovery . Icon of a Conservation and Loves Life The George. NICHOLLS, H. 2006. Lonesome Morgansville: G. 2009. Galapagos: Both Sides of the Coin. Watkins, & P. OXFORD, Press. Pergamon Oxford: Galapagos. Environments: 1984. Key R. (ed). PERRY, an enchan- we transformed how PHILANDER,El Niño: S. G. 2004. Our affair with Touchstone. York: New flight of the iguana. 1988. The D. QUAMMEN, Pimlico. London: song of the dodo. 1996. The D. QUAMMEN, Universe NY: York, E. New K. 1984. Plants of the Galápagos Islands. SCHOFIELD, islands. on Darwin’s S. 1988. Galápagos: discovery & ZOUSMER, W. D. STEADMAN, THOMSON. K. of history. S. 1995. HMS Beagle: the ship that chamged the course Published NY: City, history Garden of the Galápagos. I. 1971. A natural THORNTON. Cape. Jonathan London: Galapagos Affair. 1983. The TREHERNE, J. University Norman: and the Galápagos Islands. 1949. Ecuador V.W. HAGEN, VON Delacorte Press/Seymour NY: York, New K. 1985. Galápagos: a novel. VONNEGUT, Biogeography: M. 2007. Island J. & FERNÁNDEZ-PALACIOS, R. J. WHITTAKER, CA: Stanford, of the Galápagos Islands. M. 1971. Flora D. WIGGINS, I. L. & PORTER, Tierwelt der Galápagos und ZIZKA, 1994. Pflanzen- G. & KLEMMER, K. (eds). - New York: Putnam. Putnam. York: New End. Galápagos: World’s Pelican Press. Pelican Darwin. Charles Fundación en Galápagos. Santa Cruz: jardines nativas para Press. Academic by London American Division of the CA: Pacific San Francisco, in Galapagos organisms. of Science. the Advancement for Association Travel. Bautista, CA: Galapagos Press. University Cambridge Cambridge: Inc. & Ballantine Books, Club Sierra NY: York, New Inc. & Ballantine Books, Club Sierra NY: York, New Press. University NJ: Princeton Press. University Cambridge Press. University NJ: Princeton Books. Hallwag. & Co. München: R. Piper Bucher. C.J. Verlag München: 61. Fourth Series, of Sciences, Academy dings of the California Abya-Yala. of Chicago University The IL: Chicago, finch of the cactus Galápagos. the large Press. Press. University NJ: Princeton Princeton, Finches. Darwin’s Press. University Press. University Princeton Press. Greene Stephen The Limited. Publishing Eland London: Libri Mundi. Press. NJ: Princeton Princeton, tropics. World of the New and ecosystems plants, Press. University Basic Books. York: New Islands. Chicago Review Press. Corporation. Broadcasting Canadian Toronto: 2nd ed. Stonegate: Stonegate: 2nd ed. island: a Galapagos quest. ANGERMEYER, 2003. My father’s J. plantas en tu jardín: 2009. Siémbrame P. A. & JARAMILLO, R., GUÉZOU, ATKINSON, 1924. BEEBE, W. Linnean Society in the Galápagos Islands. of 1984. Evolution (ed). BERRY,R.J. Europa. Quito: Imprenta del Ecuador. 1973. Galápagos Archipielago J. BLACK, of evolution 1983. Patterns A. E. (eds). R. I., BERSON, M. & LEVITON, BOWMAN, San Juan 2nd ed. the Galapagos Islands. guide to 1994. A traveler’s B. BOYCE, biology of island floras. 2011. The (eds). & CAUJAPÉ-CASTELLS, J. D. BRAMWELL, volume 1, discovery. of wildness: 1970. Galapagos: K. the flow (ed). BROWER, volume 2, prospect. of wildness: 1970. Galapagos: K. the flow (ed). BROWER, Princeton, I of a biography. volume Darwin: 1995. Charles E. Voyaging: J. BROWNE, Cambridge: Letters. Darwin: 2008. Charles the ‘Beagle’ (ed). F. BURKHARDT, of Galápagos . Princeton, to the birds I. & PHILLIPS, A. 1996. A field guide CASTRO, legacy Firefly . Auckland: Darwin’s 2009. Galápagos: preserving (ed). T. DE ROY, Bern: Verlag der seltsamen Tiere. Archipel 1974. Galápagos. H.D. DOSSENBACH, im Pazifik. Noah I. 1960. Galápagos: die Arche EIBL-EIBESFELDT, Galapagos. mit dem Horizont: 1995. Begegnung W. & BITTMANN, FUGGER, B. 2010. Darwin A.E. (eds). Procee and the Galápagos. & LEVITON, T. GHISELIN, M. Quito-Ecuador: Ediciones de 44 años en Galápagos. 1993. Relatos J. GORDILLO, population: dynamics of a natural R. 1989. Evolutionary P. R. & GRANT, B. GRANT, Species Radiation of Multiply: and Why The R. 2008. How P. R. & GRANT, B. GRANT, NJ: Princeton 2009. Darwin Princeton, & ESTES, G. B. in Galápagos. K.T. GRANT, NJ: Princeton, finches. of Darwin’s and evolution R. 1986. Ecology P. GRANT, Press. University Oxford Oxford: on islands. 1998. Evolution R. (ed). P. GRANT, MA: Lexington, of Galapagos. to the birds field guide Collins HARRIS, M. 1982. The eyes. writers’ islands through 2009. Galapagos: the enchanted J. HICKMAN, Quito: Galápagos. fish identification: 1993. Reef N. (ed). & DELOACH, P. HUMANN, Calgary: of Calgary University history. M. H. 1993. Galápagos: a natural JACKSON, the animals, to an introduction companion: C. 1989. A Neotropical KRICHER, J. God on the Galápagos and Science Workshop: LARSON, 2001. Evolution’s E. J. . Quito-Ecuador: Gráficas Ortega. Maldición de la Tortuga 1990. La O. LATORRE, IL: K. Chicago, and ideas. 2003. Darwinkids: his life for and evolution LAWSON, & SINCLAIR, L. 1968. Darwin J. and the Galapagos. LIVINGSTON, Bibliography

124 125 Appendix Appendix 21 Schiff 1916

mehr zu den Meerleguanen Seite 60 . kontinentale Inseln kontinentale dazu waren Im Gegensatz lan- vor oder Sumatra Elba wie Grossbritannien, solche Auf verbunden. mit dem Festland ger Zeit des Kontinents Tiere landlebende Inseln konnten einfach einwandern. ˜ w Zalophus wollebaeki Zalophus Arctocephalus galapagoensis und galapagoensis Arctocephalus Die grosse Produktivität des Meeres des Meeres Produktivität Die grosse ˜ um Galápagos herum hat positive positive herum hat um Galápagos - Meeres das Land. auf Auswirkungen oder Meerleguane wie Seelöwen, tiere Lebens ihres Teil die einen Meeresvögel, nämlich tragen Land verbringen, an wo aufs MeerLand, vom Nährstoffe zur und Landtieren sie Landpflanzen stehen. Verfügung von Krebstieren. Zu den auffälligsten den auffälligsten Zu Krebstieren. von - zählen die Meeresschild Meerestieren sowie die Meerleguane und kröten Galápagos- die beiden Ohrenrobben Seebär Galápagos-Seelöwe u ˜ v wie die Galápagos- Inseln Die ozeanischen Kanarische Inseln oder Island, Inseln, Hawaii, mit dem Verbindung standen nie in die Azoren Landbrü- Es gab keine Festland. kontinentalen Tieren Besiedlung mit landlebenden Ihre cke. schwierig Wie und ist deshalb schwierig. war zum der Entfernung allem von hängt vor es ist, ab. Kontinent nächsten . 1974. Studies in Galápagos plants. XIV. XIV. in Galápagos. 1974. Studies plants. Auf ozeanischen Inseln gibt es nicht es nicht gibt Inseln ozeanischen Auf ist Grenzen, keine hat Denn das Meer viele Arten von Pflanzen und Tieren, Tieren, und Pflanzen Arten viele von und die Reiseweil dorthin beschwerlich kleindie Landmasse begrenzt ist. und hingegen rund um die Inseln Meer Im die Biodi - Dort ist aus. das anders sieht gross. versität für unzählige Arten. Ein - Tummelplatz sind drücklich im Galápagos-Archipel als 50 mehr die über 500 Fischarten, Rochen, rund und 900 Haien Arten von Schnecken, und Muscheln verschiedene Seesternen, Seeigelnüber 200 Arten von als 200 Arten Seegurken, mehr und und ... aber viele Arten im Meer tefka reg Estes / Thalia Grant Thalia / Estes reg London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne Toronto York, New London,

eleno, 3, 6 ZMUZH eleno, do Hirsch reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 4 Illustration ZMUZH, 5 4 Illustration Grant, Thalia / Estes reg eter and Rosemaryeter Grant reg Estes / Thalia Grant Thalia / Estes reg Grant Thalia / Estes reg ˜ ˜ u v . and credit imedia.org, 2 New York: The Century Company Volume 25, Volume 25, Century Company York: The 2 New imedia.org, ichard Slevin Papers, California Academy of Sciences Academy California Slevin Papers, ichard reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 4 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg mehr zu Artaufspaltung Seite 37 imedia.org 2 , 4 Reproduced with permission from John van John van with permission from 2 , 4 Reproduced imedia.org ation ZMUZH, 2 Alan Tye ZMUZH, 2 Alan ation (1979). H. & Hirsch, U. Jungius, ZMUZH nach / after: ation C. (2000). Thom, M. & Wikelski, ZMUZH nach / after: ation

Säugetiere Vögel Reptilien Amphibien Süsswasserfische Pflanzen ation ZMUZH ation reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 3 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg abriele Gentile, 2, 4–6 ZMUZH, 3 Illustration ZMUZH 2, 4–6 ZMUZH, 3 Illustration abriele Gentile, reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 2–4 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg ndrea Sequeira and Jose Rosado, 2 ZMUZH Sequeira and Jose Rosado, ndrea ritz Trillmich, 2 Jana Jeglinski, 3,4 Stephen Blake 3,4 Stephen 2 Jana Jeglinski, Trillmich, ritz Image nr eter and Rosemaryeter Grant Arn. Opera Botanica Arn. genus Scalesia 367: 1-117 The 1, 2 G 1, 2 ZMUZH, 3 ELIASSON, U ZMUZH 1 Illustr ZMUZH 1 G 1–2, 4 ZMUZH, 3 G ZMUZH Illustr 1–3, 5 G ZMUZH 1 G ZMUZH ZMUZH P 1, 3 ZMUZH, 2 P 1,2 ZMUZH, 3 G 1,2,4 ZMUZH, 3 U 1 Illustr in Galapagos bei Brutvögeln als Folge Herzfrequenzveränderungen Orn. Hirsch, 3 J. 120: 299–310., 2 Udo Besucher. durch Störungen von ZMUZH ZMUZH 1,2 ZMUZH, 3 G 1, 3 ZMUZH, 2 G Sebastian Steinfartz ZMUZH 1 Joseph R CA., 2, 3 ZMUZH San Francisco, Archives, ZMUZH 1, 3 wik 1, 3, 4,5 wik Cassel and Reminiscences, - Letters Wallace Russel Jan 1883., 6 Alfred LTD and Company, ZMUZH 1, 2, 4, 5 Ruben H ZMUZH 1 ZMUZH, 2, 3 Jan S ZMUZH 1 F 1 Illustr 403: 37., 2 ZMUZH Nature, survive Niño. Marine iguanas shrink to El 1 A Wyhe ed. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin of Charles Online. Work Complete The ed. Wyhe (http://darwin-online.org.uk/), Ein Vergleich mit der Schweiz, die die der Schweiz, mit Ein Vergleich – einmal angekommen – dann auch auch – dann – einmal angekommen Klima, trockenen in dem extrem noch überleben herrscht, Galápagos das auf müssen. können liegt als Galápagos, nördlicher viel rund das Alpenland doppelt zeigt, dass wie hat so Arten viele Säugetiere es gibt Reptilien hingegen Galápagos. als über 10mal mehr Galápagos auf denn Reptilien sind in der Schweiz, bestens Trockenheit die extreme an Ga - auf sich konnten Sie angepasst. in sogar lápagos Arten zahlreiche aufspalten. Yasuní Nationalpark: Bisher nachgewiesene Bisher nachgewiesene Nationalpark: Yasuní Arten. Bei dürften den Säugetieren und Fischen es noch viel mehr sein. wurde Galápagos: Der Knickzehenfrosch eingeschleppt. Schweiz

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Page 61–65 70–71 73–75 Yasuni Wie auf allen ozeanischen Inseln, Inseln, allen ozeanischen auf Wie dem mit Das zeigt ein Vergleich die es auf der Erde gibt, ist auch auf auf auch ist gibt, der Erde die es auf die Biodiversität den Galápagos-Inseln sehr viele nicht klein, es gibt d.h. Tieren. und Pflanzen Arten von Ecu - im Osten Nationalpark Yasuní mal 40 es beispielsweise wo adors, mal 16 Süsswasserfischarten, mehr über und doppelt Säugetierarten mehr obwohl so gibt, Reptilienarten viele liegt wie in den Tropen Galápagos Dieser Nationalpark. der Yasuní erklärt wohl sich Unterschied riesige die Tiere wenige nur dass dadurch, und schaffen Meer übers Strecke weite Wenige Arten auf den Inseln ... Wenige Die Galápagos-Inseln sind aber es gibt zwar tropisch, Nur Palmenstrände. keine in den Siedlungen findet Menschen von man Palmen, gepflanzt und gepflegt. Galápagos 0

2000 750 500 250

km 10‘000 pro

˜ Arten Anzahl w 2 0 20 Schiff 500 1500 1000 43 Opuntienwald Santa Fé Santa Fé Santa Fé-Landleguan pallidus Conolophus

Santa Cruz und Seymour und Baltra Galápagos-Landleguan subcristatus Conolophus

Conolophus subcristatus Conolophus

Conolophus marthaeConolophus Isabela Wolf: Vulkan Rosada-Drusenkopf

Isabela und Fernandina Galápagos-Landleguan reg Estes / Thalia Grant Thalia / Estes reg ation ZMUZH ation ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ u w y z Die Population des Rosada-Drusenkopfes zählt nur etwa 200 Tiere. Deshalb Deshalb Tiere. 200 zählt nur etwa des Rosada-Drusenkopfes Die Population Der Galápagos-Landleguan ist auf bedroht. ist diese Art Aussterben vom - Schutzprogram Santiago Nur dank intensiven und Rábida ausgestorben. Inseln bisher gesichert. auf anderen Vorkommen men ist sein - endrik N. Hoeck, 4 Catharine Muir endrik N. Hoeck, 4 Catharine wurde 2009 wurde . and credit ourtesy of nasaimages.org, 2 Illustration ZMUZH 2 Illustration ourtesy of nasaimages.org, oward Beck Papers, California Academy of Sciences Archives, of Sciences Archives, Academy California Beck Papers, oward ation ZMUZH, 2 Alan Root, 3 Hendrik N. Hoeck 3 Hendrik Root, ZMUZH, 2 Alan ation of the zoology The ZMUZH, 2 Darwin,ation 1838. C. R. ed.

ation ZMUZH nach/after: Bramwell, D. & Caujapé-Castells, & Caujapé-Castells, D. Bramwell, ZMUZH nach/after: ation reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 2–5 Christine Parent Parent 2–5 Christine Grant, Thalia / Estes reg 2 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg elipe Cruz, 3 Illustration ZMUZH nach / after: Galápagos ZMUZH nach / after: Conser- 3 Illustration elipe Cruz, reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 3 Illustration ZMUZH 3 Illustration Grant, Thalia / Estes reg mehr zum Schutz der Landleguane Seite 42 ternet anonym, 2 ZMUZH anonym, ternet imedia.org imedia.org ˜ x Klein-Grundfinken Geospiza fuli Auf dem Vulkan Wolf auf Isabela Isabela auf Wolf dem Vulkan Auf a Richling, 2 ZMUZH, 3 Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps, 4 Corps, NOAA Crapo, Elizabeth 2 ZMUZH, 3 Lieutenant a Richling, reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 2 ZMUZH, 3 Babette Eid 2 ZMUZH, 3 Babette Grant, Thalia / Estes reg Marine Sanctuaries; National Cour- NOAA Project, ulf of Maine Cod aymond Lévêque, 2,3 ZMUZH Lévêque, aymond ritz Trillmich, 2 Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps NOAA Crapo, Elizabeth 2 Lieutenant Trillmich, ritz ginosa der fressen die Ektoparasiten die Zecken. Kaum z.B. Landleguane, die nehmen nähert ein Fink, sich richten ein: Sie «Putzstellung» Leguane krümmen und den auf hochbeinig sich möglichst die Finken damit Schwanz, erreichen. jedeeinfach Körperstelle leben auffällig rosarot gefärbte Land- gefärbte rosarot leben auffällig und Streifen schwarzen mit leguane stachellosen fast fleischigen, einem Dieser Rosada-Drusen- Rückenkamm. kopf Conolophus marthae Howard und Gentile Gabriele durch beschrieben. erstmals Snell Dies zeigt, erforschten gut den eigentlich auf dass Neuent- immer noch Galápagos-Inseln sind. möglich deckungen Erst kürzlich Erst entdeckt für Leguane Finkenservice 40 Reptilien- den Galápagos-Inseln leben heute Auf also sind endemisch, sie kommen arten. 33 davon ihnen zählen Zu Welt. auf der sonst vor nirgendwo 19 Echsenarten10 Riesenschildkrötenarten, und 4 Schlangenarten. Image nr reg Estes / Thalia Grant Thalia / Estes reg ZMUZH,The ed. Wyhe 2 John van with permission from Reproduced ZMUZH ZMUZH 1, 2 ZMUZH, 3 Illustr 1 NASA/c 1 Illustr ZMUZH Illustr 1, 2, 4, 5 ZMUZH, 3 G 1, 6 G ZMUZH ZMUZH ZMUZH 1 Darwin of Charles (http://darwin-online.org.uk/), Online. Work Complete N. Hoeck, 4 wikimedia.org 3 Hendrik wik 1 G 1, 2 ZMUZH, 3 H 1,2 G 1, 3 G 1 Illustr , 3 ZMUZH and Co. Smith Elder London: of H.M.S. Beagle. voyage ZMUZH 1 In 1 Rollo H 1 R wik 1 G 1, 2 F Socioeconomic Programs, Conservation vancy www.galapagos.org, 4–5 ZMUZH research)., ZMUZH ZMUZH ZMUZH ZMUZH 1 Ir ZMUZH 1 F G J. (eds). 2011. The biology of island floras. Cambridge: Cambridge Cambridge: biology of island floras. The 2011. (eds). J. Press University John van with permission from CA., 2 Reproduced San Francisco, Darwin of Charles Online. Work Complete The ed. Wyhe Lévêque 3 Raymond (http://darwin-online.org.uk/), Domain / Public Wikipedia / Army 2 U.S. Archives., of National tesy 3–5 ZMUZH ZMUZH ˜ v

6 7 8 4 5 9 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 ˜ w Page Wanderleistung sind sie Rekordhal- sind Wanderleistung So den Echsen. legt unter terinnen der Küstenregion aus ein Weibchen km zurück, überwindet dabei über 10 klettert und m Höhenunterschied 1'500 in m hinab wieder 900 Kraterrand vom diese beschwer- Für hinein. den Krater des das Graben und Wanderung liche kg das rund 3 braucht Eiablageplatzes rund 30 Tage. Tier schwere gessen. Die Kaktusfrüchte verschlucken verschlucken Die Kaktusfrüchte gessen. von Abgesehen Bissen. sie in wenigen die Opuntien enthalten Nahrung, fester prob- das in Trockenzeiten Wasser, der Leguane lemlos den Wasserbedarf deckt. ˜ u Die Landleguane von Fernandina Fernandina von Die Landleguane Landleguane fressen mit Vorliebe Vorliebe fressen mit Landleguane andLeguane sind erstaunliche Weitstreckenwan- erstaunliche sind ihre wo den Niederungen, In derer. die Opuntien, Leibspeise wächst, die Lavabödensind so die dass hart, für die Mulden keine Landleguane Deshalb graben können. Eiablage den Weibchen von Tausende steigen geeig- sie im Krater wo hinauf, Vulkan dieser Mit finden. Eiablageplätze nete Opuntien. Das ist ein stachliger Kaktus. Kaktus. ein stachliger Das ist Opuntien. indem sie, entfernen Stacheln Grosse das Kaktus- den Vorderfüssen sie mit Boden dem harten auf herumrol- stück mitge- werden Stacheln len. Kleinere L Galápagos-Landleguane Conolophus stachlig Am liebsten Der Weg beschwerliche ˜ v 42 Opuntienwald Illustration Credits 1 Illustration *ZMUZH *ZMUZH Museum Zoological of Zurich of the University Two examples of how images are numbered across double pages (with and without images that span two pages). span two double pages (with and without images that across numbered images are of how examples Two 126 127 Appendix Appendix abette Eid abette hristine Parent reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 3, 6 Hendrik N. Hoeck, 3, 6 Hendrik Grant, Thalia / Estes reg i . and credit reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 3, 5 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg endrik N. Hoeck, 2–5 ZMUZH reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 2–6 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg Image nr ZMUZH 1, 2, 4 G 1–3, 5 ZMUZH, 4 C ZMUZH 1 H 1 G 1, 3–6 ZMUZH, 2 B ZMUZH ZMUZH 1, 4 ZMUZH, 2 G 5 Jana Jeglinsk

106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 115 Page 102-105 Appendix: aymond Lévêque Lévêque aymond ichael Dvorak, 3 Wikipedia / Public Domain, 4 Greg Domain, 4 Greg / Public Wikipedia 3 ichael Dvorak, . and credit ation ZMUZH nach / after: Proaño, C. B. (2011). Petrels in (2011). Petrels C. B. Proaño, ZMUZH nach / after: ation endrik N. Hoeck, 3 Galápagos National Park endrik N. Hoeck, 3 Galápagos National William Foster, 4 ZMUZH Foster, William endrik N. Hoeck, 2 Project Isabela, GNP & CDF (Galápagos National National GNP & CDF (Galápagos Isabela, endrik N. Hoeck, 2 Project National GNP & CDF (Galápagos Isabela, endrik N. Hoeck, 2 Project reg Estes / Thalia Grant, 2 Hendrik N. Hoeck N. Hoeck 2 Hendrik Grant, Thalia / Estes reg 2 ZMUZH Grant, Thalia / Estes reg aymond Lévêque, 2,3 ZMUZH Lévêque, aymond roject Isabela, GNP & CDF (Galápagos National Park and Charles and Charles Park National GNP & CDF (Galápagos roject Isabela, Image nr he GEBCO_08 Grid, version 20100927, http://www.gebco.net. 20100927, http://www.gebco.net. version Grid, he GEBCO_08 T 1–3 ZMUZH 1 G 1 H Grant Thalia / Estes 3 Greg Darwin and Charles Foundation), Park 1 P Darwin Foundation) 1 H Grant, Thalia / Estes 3 Greg Darwin and Charles Foundation), Park and Charles Park National GNP & CDF (Galápagos Isabela, 4 Project Grant Thalia / Estes 5 Greg Darwin Foundation), 1 ZMUZH, 2,3 R 1 R 1 Illustr Endangered Critically of the the Movements Tracking the Pacific: GNP & CDF Isabela, 2011., 2–4 Project Nov. MPIO, Galapagos Petrel. Darwin and Charles Foundation) Park National (Galápagos ZMUZH 1 ZMUZH, 2 M 1 G ZMUZH 1, 2 H ASTER GDEM Version 2; ASTER GDEM is a product of METI and NASA. Version ASTER GDEM Geomar 31.8.2012. by Maps produced Grant Thalia / Estes

81 82 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 Page 83–85 Illustration Credits 2 Illustration

128 129 Appendix Appendix turhistorisches Museum Basel, Dr. Dennis Vallan: Dennis Dr. Museum Basel, turhistorisches terstein, Büro Münchwilen, HEK STEIN AG: Katrin Ifländer Katrin HEK STEIN AG: Münchwilen, Büro terstein, einiger Unternehmensberatung AG, Niederbipp, Schweiz Niederbipp, AG, einiger Unternehmensberatung tetheisa perryi, Utetheisa connerorum, Utetheisa ornatrix, ornatrix, Utetheisa perryi,tetheisa connerorum, Utetheisa eobachter Natur eobachter ukkulentensammlung der Stadt Zürich, Dr. Gabriela Wyss: Wyss: Gabriela Dr. Zürich, der Stadt ukkulentensammlung omputerWorksAG Basel: Kurt von Rohr, Sales and Marketing Sales and Marketing Basel: Rohr, Kurt von omputerWorksAG des sciences et Musée d’histoire naturelle ollection du Muséum d’histoire arges GmbH, D-Weilheim arges wiss Association of friends the Galápagos Islands wiss Association urich Airport: and Jessica Exner Michael Breuer uropean Society Biologyuropean Evolutionary for rizzy Foundation, Lucerne, Switzerland Lucerne, rizzy Foundation, , Nesominmus melanotis 5228 , Nesominmus 5511 , Nesominmus magnificens ragata ucan Travel AG, Zürich: David Meyer David Zürich: AG, Travel ucan B C Works») («Vector E F H In S T Z Z C Landry: Bernard Dr. Heizmann, Pierre-Henri de Genève, Ville de la U Na F S Utetheisa pulchella, Cheverella galapagensis pulchella, Cheverella Utetheisa parvulusmelanotis 5226 , Nesominmus parvulus parvulus 5229 , Nesominmus parvuluspersonatus 5227 , Nesominmus 5231 bauri prickly pear live

Sponsors – – – – – – Loans – – – – – – – earning Services, e for Ornithologye for i AR, Helmholtzzentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel: für Ozeanforschung AR, Helmholtzzentrum ysik Institut der Universität Zürich, Zürich, ysik Institut der Universität do Hirsch r. Sarah Darwin r. Finet Yves r. Gabriele Gentile r. Dennis Hansen r. Ruben Heleno r. N. Hoeck Hendrik r. Hoeck Paquita r. Hartmut Jungius r. Randal Keynes r. Landry Bernard r. Lévêque Raymond r. Parent Christine r. Jose Rosado r. Souris Marc r. Jan Stefka r. Sebastian Steinfartz r. Tye Alan r. alápagos National Park alápagos National reg Estes reg abette Eid abette elly Jensen rof. Dr. William Foster William Dr. rof. Grant Peter Dr. rof. Rosemary Grant Dr. rof. ia Hoeck Petren Ken Dr. rof. Uli Reyer Dr. rof. Sánchez Marcelo Dr. rof. Schmutz Hans Konrad Dr. rof. Sequeira Andrea Dr. rof. Trillmich Fritz Dr. rof. Wikelski Martin Dr. rof. atricia Guerra atricia harles Darwin Foundation wen Lorenz wen halia Grant oo Zürich elipe Cruz D C F D B G D P G D GEOM P P T P D D U D D P Jana Jeglinsk K D D D D S Max Planck Institut MELS Multimedia & E-L D P Ph P D P P P D D D P D P Z Dr. Wilhelm Weinrebe, Dr. Gerd Hoffmann-Wieck Gerd Dr. Weinrebe, Wilhelm Dr. Spörri, Angela Läuppi, Stephan Zürich: Universität NASA Team Kurt Bösiger & Physikwerkstatt:

– – – Blake Stephen r. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Acknowledgements Our special thanks go to the following persons, institutions and businesses: persons, Our the following special thanks go to 130 131