THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL IGUANA SOCIETY VOLUME 9, NUMBER 4 uanaWWW IGUANASOCIETY ORG imesECEMBER IIgguana. TTimesD 2002 $6.00 Utila Iguana: A young male Ctenosaura bakeri. Photograph: John Binns Iguana Times 9.4 (b&w) 11/11/02 6:38 AM Page 74 Statement of Purpose The International Iguana Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated I.I.S. 2002 I.I.S. 2002 to preserving the biological diversity of iguanas. We believe that the best way to protect iguanas and other native plants and animals is to preserve natural Board of Directors Editorial Board habitats and to encourage development of sustainable economies compatible Joseph Wasilewski Allison C. Alberts, PhD with the maintenance of biodiversity. To this end, we will: (1) engage in active President Zoological Society of San Diego conservation, initiating, assisting, and funding conservation efforts in Homestead, FL San Diego, CA cooperation with U.S. and international governmental and private agencies; Robert W. Ehrig Gordon M. Burghardt, PhD (2) promote educational efforts related to the preservation of biodiversity; (3) Founder and Vice President University of Tennessee build connections between individuals and the academic, zoo, and conserva- Big Pine Key, FL Knoxville, TN tion communities, providing conduits for education and for involving the general public in efforts to preserve endangered species; and (4) encourage A. C. Echternacht, PhD Keith Christian, PhD Treasurer the dissemination and exchange of information on the ecology, population Northern Territory University Knoxville, TN Darwin, NT, Australia biology, behavior, captive husbandry, taxonomy, and evolution of iguanas. AJ Gutman John B. Iverson, PhD Secretary and Earlham College Membership Information Membership Coordinator Richmond, IN Iguana Times, the Journal of The International Iguana Society, is distributed West Hartford, CT quarterly to members and member organizations. Annual dues: Gordon H. Rodda, PhD Robert Powell, PhD US Fish and Wildlife Service Individual U.S. and Canadian Membership . $25.00 Director Ft. Collins, CO Individual Foreign Membership . $35.00 Kansas City, MO U.S. and Canadian Organizational Membership* . $35.00 John Binns Foreign Organizational Membership* . $45.00 Director I.I.S. 2002 (*receives double copies of Iguana Times) San Jose, CA Advisory Board Additional copies are available at a cost of $6.00 including postage. John Bendon Liason Write to: Iguana Times and Bath, England The International Iguana Society, Inc. I.I.S. Website Staff Gordon M. Burghardt, PhD 133 Steele Road Robert Powell, PhD University of Tennessee West Hartford, CT 06119 Editor Knoxville, TN Department of Biology Membership questions? Call AJ at 860-236-8203. Avila University Chuck Knapp Kansas City, MO OR VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT: Gainesville, FL www.iguanasociety.org AJ Gutman Richard Montanucci, PhD Editorial and Fulfillment Clemson University Coordinator Clemson, SC Solicitations West Hartford, CT Members of the I.I.S. are encouraged to contribute articles, letters to the Editor, Richard Moyroud Michael Ripca news items, and announcements for publication in Iguana Times. General Mesozoic Landscapes Production Manager articles can deal with any aspect of iguana biology, including conservation, West Palm Beach, FL and Design Coordinator behavior, ecology, physiology, systematics, husbandry, or other topics. Leaping Lizards Graphic Design Michael E. Ripca Submission of photographs to accompany articles is encouraged. Atco, NJ Atco, NJ Manuscripts based on original research are solicited to communicate recent John Binns findings not only to other scientists but to the general public as well. We Internet Administrator wish to instill in our readers a greater appreciation for scientific research San Jose, CA and a better understanding of how it can contribute to the conservation of threatened iguana populations or the well-being of captive specimens. John Bendon Research Articles will be subjected to peer review, and should be fairly general Illustrator / Photographer Bath, England in scope (i.e., manuscripts having extremely detailed theoretical or statistical bases should be submitted to more appropriate journals). Manuscripts of Pirolli Printing any length will be considered, and must be accompanied by an abstract of Printer corresponding length. Authors can expect rapid turnaround time for the Bellmawr, NJ reviews and quick publication of acceptable material. Research Articles will be cited as appearing in the Journal of the International Iguana Society, and will be forwarded to the major citation and abstract journals. Research Updates should be comparatively brief and written in non-technical language. They will not be subjected to peer review. Submission of photographs to accom- pany research reports is encouraged. All manuscripts must be typed, DOUBLE-SPACED, with 1" margins, on 81/2" × 11" paper, following a format like that shown in the most recent issue of the journal. Original research articles must be submitted in triplicate. If at all possible, manuscripts should be accompanied by a disk (31/2" or 51/4") containing a word-processing file of the manuscript. We support most word- Authors of one page or more of print are entitled to five copies of the issue processing applications in DOS, Windows, and Macintosh formats. Please in which their article appears. include file name, software name, and version number on the disk; a hard copy printout is still required. Send manuscripts to the Editorial Coordinator, International Iguana Society, 133 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06119. 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Occasional exceptions may be made to this policy. Iguana Times 9.4 (b&w) 11/11/02 6:38 AM Page 75 December 2002 Iguana Times 75 The “Rhino Factory” at Manatí Park Robert Powell,1 David M. Nieves,2 Matthew E. Gifford,3,4 and Brian E. Fontenot 3 1Department of Biology, Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri 64145, USA 2Reptile Education and Research, 8816 N. Charlotte, Kansas City, Missouri 64155, USA 3Department of Biology, University of Texas, Tyler, Texas 75799, USA 4Current address: Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA hen tourists visit the rapidly develop- traditional travelers seldom stray from the grounds ing eastern coast of the Dominican of all-inclusive resorts, the more adventurous seek Republic (DR), they cannot help but to experience the local ambiance, getting to know W notice signs inviting them to visit something about the culture into which they’ve Manatí Park, an 8-hectare site where they can ventured and maybe even learning a little about an swim with dolphins, interact with snakes, parrots, area’s natural wonders. or other animals, learn about the history and cul- However, access to much of the eastern DR is ture of the West limited to a few main Indies, or merely have roads that serve the a good time. Our “Not only is it by far larger towns. Parque recent (January 2002) Nacional Los Haitises visit, however, was the best exhibit is not far, but accessi- motivated by a more in the park, ble from the east limited agenda, namely only by boat. Parque the opportunity to it’s a virtual Nacional del Este experience first-hand also is geographically the iguana facility iguana factory.” closeby, but paved which has and contin- roads merely lead to ues to be phenome- the park boundaries. nally successful at Both are characterized breeding the Hispani- by harsh landscapes, olan endemic Rhino- prickly plants, and ceros Iguana, Cyclura oppressive heat. Al- cornuta. though both parks Manatí Park is in serve effectively as Bávaro, a rapidly devel- reservoirs for native oping resort area near species, only the hardi- the easternmost tip of est of tourists would the DR. The Park The Manatí Park logo that adorns the many signs directing consider even a brief opened in 1997, coin- visitors to the Park. visit. Consequently, ciding with a major Manatí Park provides a tourist boom in the region, fueled largely by the real service. Not only is the visitor entertained by development of an international airport at Punta its attractions, they can experience animals in a Cana. Club Med pioneered the area, which now is very personal way and learn something about con- festooned with nearly 30 major resort hotels, most servation in the process. of them offering all-inclusive services, upscale The Spanish developers of the Park had envi- lodging and activities, and access to some of the sioned a facility that would provide entertainment most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Although and educational opportunities while remaining