- Cyclura carinata bartschi
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Cyclura carinata bartschi Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Suborder: Iguania Family: Iguanidae Genus: Cyclura Species: C. carinata Subspecies: C. c. bartschi Trinomial name Cyclura carinata bartschi
(Doris M. Cochran, 1931)Bartsch's iguana or Booby Cay iguana (Cyclura carinata bartschi) is an endangered subspecies of lizard of the genus Cyclura endemic to a single cay, Booby Cay, in the Turks and Caicos islands.[1][not in citation given]
Contents
Taxonomy
A subspecies of the Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) as it has different morphological characteristics; Bartsch's iguana, Cyclura carinata bartschi, was first described by American herpetologist Doris M. Cochran in 1931.[2] The generic name (Cyclura) is derived from the Ancient Greek cyclos (κύκλος) meaning "circular" and ourá (οὐρά) meaning "tail", after the thick-ringed tail characteristic of all Cyclura.[3] Its specific name carinata means "keeled" and refers to the animal's scalation. Its subspecific name is after Dutch botanist Johann Bartsch. Further phylogenic study of mtDNA haplotypes by scientists at Utah Valley State College has determined that this animal is a valid subspecies and not merely a population variant of the Turks and Caicos Iguana.[4] Morphological and genetic data indicate that the closest living relative of C. carinata is C. ricordi of Hispaniola.[5]
Anatomy and morphology
Measuring less than 770mm in length when full grown, Bartschi's iguana, like its parent species, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, is one of the smaller species of Cyclura.[6] Bartsch's iguana is greenish to brownish-gray, with a yellow dorsal crest, faint yellow-brown reticulations on the bodies of the adults, and a golden iris.[1]
Like other members of the genus cyclura, males of this species have larger femoral pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones. Females have smaller pores, making the animals sexually dimorphic.[7]
Habitat and distribution
Bartschi's iguana is found only on Booby Cay in the Bahamas.[8] It is estimated that 1,000 of these iguanas live on this small cay and their population appears to be stable, despite the small number.[1][8] It is rumored that this subspecies once lived on the larger island of Mayaguana and was referred to as the Mayaguana iguana.[2][6]
Diet
Like all Cyclura species, Bartschi's iguana is primarily herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, and fruits from different plant species.[1] This diet is very rarely supplemented with insects, mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids, lizards, and carrion.[9]
Conservation
The Bahamas National Trust has proposed to the Bahamas Government that Booby Cay, which also is a significant area for nesting seabirds, be protected under the national parks system.[1] A program to remove feral goats from the cay has also been initiated.[1][8] It has been noted that "Australian pine" trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) introduced by man to the Cay may pose a problem as the needles are inedible and their tall size prevents native plants, which the iguanas rely on for food, from growing.[8]
In 1998 a colony of these iguanas was established on Mayaguana. This population appears to be stable despite the presence of feral goats on the island.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Gerber, G. & West Indian Iguana Specialist Group (2000). "Cyclura carinata bartschi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/6036. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
- ^ a b "Cyclura carinata bartschi Cochran, 1931", Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2001, http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=202149, retrieved 10/5/2007
- ^ Sanchez, Alejandro, "Family Iguanidae: Iguanas and Their Kin", Father Sanchez's Web Site of West Indian Natural History Diapsids I: Introduction; Lizards (Kingsnake.com), http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/metazoa10.html, retrieved November 26, 2007
- ^ Stephen, Catherine (2006), "Genetic Studies Update", Iguana Journal of the International Iguana Society 13 (2): 127–128
- ^ Alberts, Allison (2007), "Turks & Caicos Iguana, Cyclura carinata carinata Conservation & Management Plan 2005–2009", Iguana Specialist Group, http://www.iguanafoundation.org/downloads/pdf/TCI-CAMP-4July2007_Sml.pdf, retrieved 2007-10-22
- ^ a b Buckner, Sandra; Blair, David (2001), "Bartsch's iguana", Iguana Specialist Group, http://www.iucn-isg.org/actionplan/ch2/bartschsiguana.php, retrieved 10/5/2007
- ^ De Vosjoli, Phillipe; David Blair (1992), The Green Iguana Manual, Escondido, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems, ISBN 74886904040
- ^ a b c d Bendon, John (1998), "It takes two to tango on Booby Cay", IguanaTimes (International Iguana Society) 3 (7): pp. 37–42
- ^ Gerber, Glenn; Iverson, John (2005), "Turks and Caicos Iguana", World Conservation Union Iguana Specialist Group (IUCN-ISG), http://www.iucn-isg.org/actionplan/ch2/tciguana.php, retrieved 10/5/2007
- ^ Wasilewski, Joe; Conners, Steve; Bendon, Jon (2004), "Taxon Updates:Booby Cay Report", Iguana Journal of the International Iguana Society 11 (3): 26
External links
Iguanidae Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Sauropsida · Order: Squamata Categories:- IUCN Red List critically endangered species
- Cyclura
- Fauna of the Turks and Caicos Islands
- Fauna of the Bahamas
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