






































Iguana b&w text


228 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

The Mona Iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri) is characterized by low density compared to C. c. cornuta on Hispaniola and other species
of Cyclura, and by an age pyramid strongly biased toward large individuals, which indicates low levels of juvenile recruitment into the
breeding population. 

JO
E 

B
U

R
G

ES
S



Iguana Specialist Group Meeting
10–12 November 2006

Lajas, Puerto Rico

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2292006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

�

Participants in the 2006 ISG Meeting (left to right, standing): Hugh and Sandra Buckner, Ivan and Katarina Rehak, Tarren Wagener, Samantha
Addinall, Allison Alberts, Fred Burton, Lee Pagni, Rex McAliley, Karen Graham, Jan Ramer, Stephan Funk, John Kunna, Larry Buckley, Stesha
Pasachnik, Bill Modi, Rick Hudson, John Kinkaid, Victor Reynoso, Ernst Rupp, (sitting): Alberto Puente, Georgina Kenyon, John Bendon, Alberto
Álvarez, Chuck Knapp, Candee Ellsworth, Tandora Grant, Catherine Stephen, Byron Wilson, Joe Burgess, Miguel García, Bonnie Raphael, Gustavo
Olivieri, John Iverson, Kirsten Hines, and Glenn Gerber. Not pictured: Néstor Pérez and Peter Tolson.

TO
M

Á
S 

W
A

LL
ER



230 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

This large male Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) in the QEII Botanic Park is testament to the progress achieved by the Blue Iguana
Recovery Program (BIRP). 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S

This Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) bears beads that permit individual identification after release in the Salina. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2312006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Blue Iguana Recovery Program Update
Fred Burton

National Trust for the Cayman Islands
Salina Reserve Releases.—Shortly after last year’s ISG meeting,
the Blue Iguana Recovery Program (BIRP) geared up to release
68 two-year-old Blues (Cyclura lewisi) into the Salina Reserve,
adding to the 25 that were released in late 2004. This involved
manufacturing 68 release retreats, which were built locally by the
Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central. Bolstered by local vol-
unteers, the BIRP then had them airlifted by helicopter into two
central points in the north and central release zones. Craig Pelke
(Milwaukee County Zoo) then joined the team to distribute the
retreats to their final locations, which required an extension of
the existing trail system. The 68 two-year-old iguanas designated
for release were health screened by Dr. Paul Calle and Kate
McKlave (WCS, Bronx). Jessica Hite (University of Tennessee)
assisted with the release, and continued to accurately map the
locations of all the release retreats by averaging multiple GPS
readings. All 68 iguanas were free in the Salina Reserve by the
end of December 2005, along with four more that were released
to the QEII Botanic Park. 

The following May through July, we recaptured as many of
the 2004 and 2005 releases as possible to assess their growth. We
recaptured or at least observed 84% of the 2004 release, and 50%
of the 2005 release. This should not be regarded as evidence of
lower survival rate for the second group, but rather that the pop-
ulation is now so large that we should not expect to see and catch
them all in the time frame of our summer field season. Also, the
younger animals were more cryptic in the presence of older indi-
viduals. We are moving past the point where total population
censuses are realistic, and we will need to shift to sampling tech-
niques for ongoing population monitoring. In 2006, we observed
three of the 2004-release females nesting, and at least one had
hatchlings emerge successfully. This is the first documented
breeding in the Salina Reserve since the restoration began.

So far, we’ve seen little evidence of rats in the Salina, but
fresh cat scat was found at one location and one feral cat was
trapped. To date, we have never seen dogs in the release zone,
and we probably won’t, as long as the trail access is not improved
too much. Chuck Knapp and Jeff Lemm (San Diego Zoo) cre-
ated a trail to the southernmost soil zone in the Salina Reserve,
expanding the area available for future releases.

Immediately following the 2006 ISG meeting, Team Blue
2006 volunteers will be arriving and gearing up to release 114
more Blues to the Salina. This time, we plan to release some year-
lings as well as two-year olds, with the aim of comparing survival
rates by analyzing recapture or census data over a number of years.

Genetically speaking, we won’t want to release anything like
this number in coming years — the focus now needs to switch
to breeding under-represented genetic lines and making sure we
have at least 20 different founders well represented in the
released population. We still haven’t completed data entry and
analysis of the summer tracking data. This, and perhaps one
more summer’s work, should be enough to allow us to quantify
the carrying capacity of the Salina Reserve for Blue Iguanas with
a reasonable degree of confidence.

QEII Botanic Park Hatchlings.—The population release in
the QEIIBP has been on a much smaller scale than the popula-

tion restoration in the Salina, but it has been the engine for
headstarting large numbers of hatchlings for release. Since
enough genetic representation from the QEIIBP is present in
the Salina Reserve now, eggs were left in the ground to hatch
naturally this year.

Seven nests were corralled in September and two hatched
by early November. Those hatchlings were PIT- and bead-tagged
along with a number of others from uncorralled nests that were
found running around in the Park. Over the following weeks,
we caught and scanned 29 Alsophis cantherigerus snakes, but did-
n’t pick up any hatchling PIT-tag signals. We managed to mon-
itor several hatchlings for fairly long periods without using radio-
transmitters. They all spent most of the time high in trees, and
showed no interest in the hatchling retreats we so carefully pre-
pared for them.

Dog Predation.—At the height of the nesting season, two
wild dogs (abandoned after the hurricane?), entered the Park and
killed adult free-roaming Blue Iguanas known as “Slugger” and
“Sapphire,” and also maimed the nesting female “Yellow Blue.”
This is a harsh reminder that we still haven’t solved the problems
that led to the decline of this species in the first place.

Captive Facility.—Last year, Mike Fouraker and colleagues
from the Fort Worth Zoo built a storage and food preparation
shed, battling extraordinarily wet and windy weather to meet an
improbable deadline. With funding from the Dart Foundation,
we have subdivided the original large WWF pen into four, effec-
tively gaining three new pens. We still need to build more, as our
young potential founders mature and grow, and the emphasis
switches from needing juvenile cages to large pens for space-
hungry adults. We’ve secured the captive facility with a fence,
both for security and to control tours for income. We are also
starting conceptual plans for a visitor center and research center
at the facility.

As a result of this December’s release, the stock of captives
will drop considerably, and we are not recruiting nearly as many
hatchlings to the captive facility since we need to focus now on
different genetic lines. We hope to focus more resources on qual-
ity of care, since the Program will not be quite so overwhelmed
with quantity.

Resources.—Major donor channels were the International
Reptile Conservation Foundation (27%), Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust (24%), and local corporate sponsors (18%).
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (BIRP’s parent
organization) assisted with warden salaries for several months.
Sales and general donations comprised 12% of the budget, and
a small grant from the International Iguana Foundation con-
tributed a further 6%.

Matching that, we have been making very heavy use of
local and international volunteers. The local press has been giv-
ing us extensive coverage, IRCF is keeping the news current on
our web site, and internationally we’ve broken into some big
name publications: New Scientist, BBC Wildlife, and the BBC
News website. On Christmas Day, the Travel Channel will air a
story on our Blue Iguana Safari tour.

IRCF continues to help us with merchandise. Bobbleheads
were this year’s hot item. Also, we are very close now to being
able to offer Blue Iguana sponsorships online. Tours are begin-
ning to generate a little income, with potential to make a lot



232 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

more. The FCCA conference in Grand Cayman gave us an
opportunity to bid for business with all the major cruise opera-
tors, and we already have seasonally good business from several
hotels. 

Protected Areas.—The BIRP, the National Trust for the
Cayman Islands, and the Cayman Islands Department of
Environment are still working on the key issue of securing more
protected land. We are currently investigating two parcels, both
of which include some areas of Crown land. Pending a key
meeting with government ministers, which we are trying to
schedule, we may be launching a major local and international
bid for land purchase funds over the next two years.

Iguana iguana on Grand Cayman.—Iguana iguana contin-
ues to spread as an invasive species on Grand Cayman, where it
is developing a reputation as a pest. Thankfully, it has not yet
reached the Sister Isles. Local government is paralyzed in any
kind of response, because local legislation is out-of-date and fails
to distinguish between species of iguanas. Pending passage of a
draft National Conservation Law, Green Iguanas and Blue
Iguanas have the same legal status.

Cyclura nubila caymanensis.—On the Sister Isles (Cayman
Brac and Little Cayman), many years have now passed since
Glenn Gerber completed a year-long study. That work remains
unpublished, and we are long overdue for an updated popula-
tion and status assessment. Durrell Wildlife is considering fund-
ing for Matt Goetz to survey the region in 2007 or 2008.

Notes on the Distribution of Cyclura ricordii 
and Problems Facing the Species

Ernst Rupp, Sixto Incháustegui, and Yvonne Arias
Grupo Jaragua

Ricord’s Iguana (Cyclura ricordii) is endemic to Hispaniola. Its
population is divided into two isolated ranges in the southwest-
ern Dominican Republic. On the Barahona Peninsula, the species

has been dislodged from its historic natural habitat, which con-
sists of flat alluvial plains around the town of Pedernales. It sur-
vives in the surrounding marine terraces, where it depends on
depressions filled with soil (“fondos”) for reproduction. Four fon-
dos have been monitored over the last three years for nesting
results. A Municipal Protected Area has been created to protect
the remnant habitat occupied by the species. 

In the Neyba Valley, the species is still found in its histori-
cally known range, which consists of Isla Cabritos and the south-
ern shore of Lago Enriquillo. While Isla Cabritos is within the
Enriquillo National Park, the southern shore of the lake does not
have any legal protection. Habitat alteration by charcoal produc-
tion and hunting are threatening the species in this area. In spite
of these problems, evidence exists of ongoing recruitment of
hatchlings into the extant population, and reproduction does
not seem to be limited by ground conditions. High concentra-

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana bobbleheads supplied by the IRCF were
this year’s hot merchandizing item supporting the Blue Iguana
Recovery Program. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S

Only a portion of the range of critically endangered Ricord’s Iguanas
(Cyclura ricordii) is protected. 

JA
N

 R
A

M
ER



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2332006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

tions of Ricord’s Iguana dens can be found in dry creek beds.
The rare natural occurrence of flooding may represent a real
threat to the animals living in these creeks.

A small population of C. ricordii has been spotted in a
marine terrace near the town of Anse-a-Pitres, Haiti. This is the
first report of the species in this country. The population is
threatened by extreme habitat alteration due to charcoal produc-
tion as well as hunting. Despite intensive searching during the
nesting season, no nests were found and recruitment may be a
severe problem for the species in this area.

Turks and Caicos Iguana, 2006 Update
Glenn Gerber, Lee Pagni, and Allison Alberts

Zoological Society of San Diego
In March 2006, a team from Island Conservation (IC) and
CRES (San Diego Zoo’s Conservation and Research for
Endangered Species) visited the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)
to conduct a feral mammal assessment of Little Water, Water,
and Pine cays, and investigate the feasibility of eradicating cats
and rats from these interconnected islands. In addition to field-
work, meetings were held with stakeholders for these cays,
including the Turks and Caicos National Trust (TCNT), the
Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR),
the Pine Cay Home Owners Association (HOA), and a repre-
sentative for the Water Cay development. IC made a second trip
to the TCI in April 2006 to make a presentation to the Pine Cay
HOA at their annual meeting. The Pine Cay HOA has commit-
ted $50,000 toward the eradication of cats, which is estimated

to cost $155,000. IC also wrote a proposal for submission by the
TCNT and DECR to the Turks and Caicos Conservation Fund
for an additional $50,000 for this project, and negotiations are
underway with the Water Cay developers to provide the final
$50,000 needed. Feral cat eradication is expected to commence
in July 2007. Eradication of rats will be much more expensive
and is not currently anticipated. 

A collaborative genetic study examining the subspecific sta-
tus of the Booby Cay population of Cyclura carinata in the
Bahamas was completed and submitted for publication. Five
mtDNA haplotypes at the ND4 locus were identified for pop-
ulations within the TCI, and the Booby Cay population was
found to be fixed for the most common of these haplotypes.
Based on this finding, and the lack of significant morphological
variation between Booby Cay and TCI populations, we propose
sinking the subspecies C. carinata bartschi. 

Several educational projects were completed in 2006,
including the production of six traveling conservation awareness
kits for TCI primary schools, and a set of three graphic panels
for the new TCI National Environmental Center that describe
the iguana conservation and research program. In addition, we
wrote our third popular article on iguana conservation and
research for the popular in-flight magazine, Discover Turks and
Caicos. Two used 190-horsepower diesel engines were purchased
for the TCI-based research vessel, Cyclura, and installation of
these engines, as well as other needed upgrades and repairs, will
be completed in early 2007. A research trip is planned for
March/April 2007 to monitor iguana populations translocated

Feral mammal assessments of Little Water, Water, and Pine cays were conducted in order to investigate the feasibility of eradicating cats and rats
from these interconnected islands in efforts to conserve the Turks and Caicos Iguana (Cyclura carinata carinata). 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S



in 2002/2003, and to conduct surveys of iguana populations on
Little Water, Water, and Pine cays to provide baseline data prior
to cat eradication. To safeguard the existing iguana populations
on Little Water, Water, and Pine cays during the cat eradication
process, an ISG representative will be on site when the project
commences to verify that iguanas are not being harmed and to
help modify methods if needed. Establishment of the non-profit
Caribbean Wildlife Foundation (CWF) in the TCI is underway,
awaiting completion of articles of incorporation and bylaws.

This will be followed by transfer of ownership for the Cyclura,
its tender, and associated research equipment to the CWF from
the Zoological Society of San Diego. The CWF will be run by
a three-member board (initially) and its mission will be the
preservation of biodiversity in the wider Caribbean region.

Jamaican Iguana Recovery Project
Byron Wilson and Rick Van Veen

University of the West Indies
2006 was a very productive year for the project, but also one that
presented some serious challenges to our capacity and resolve. In
particular, illegal tree cutters encroached into the “core” iguana
(Cyclura collei) area and brought habitat destruction and secu-
rity issues to the forefront of our concerns. Field assistance was
provided by Dawn Fleuchaus, Leon Samson, Brian and
Stephanie Wicker, Rhonda Pike, Tom Biltoft, and University of
the West Indies students. Mark Gold, our superlative boatman
and field companion, continued to provide safe and reliable
transport, as well as help with land-based aspects of the field
effort. Funding was provided by grants from Conservation
International, the Disney Wildlife Conservation Trust, the
International Iguana Foundation, the International Reptile
Conservation Foundation, and by a New Initiative grant from
the University of the West Indies, Mona.

New Iguana Conservationist.—A most exciting develop-
ment for the project has been the addition of a talented and
highly reliable field worker in the form of Leon Samson. With

234 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Based on a genetic study and the lack of morphological variation
between Booby Cay and Turks and Caicos Islands populations, the
Booby Cay Iguana (Cyclura carinata bartschi) is no longer recognized
as a distinct subspecies.

JO
E 

W
A

SI
LE

W
SK

I

After post-Hurricane Ivan reconstruction of “South Camp,” the field station that serves as the base for studies of the Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura
collei), additional improvements have increased capacity and improved livability. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2352006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

close ties to the Port Royal Marine Laboratory (the UWI Life
Sciences facility that provides boat transport for the project),
Leon joined the recovery effort in January 2006. With funding
from UWI New Initiative and Conservation International
grants to Byron Wilson, Leon has been making a significant
contribution to our efforts. Training of Leon to assume addi-
tional field duties is ongoing. This training, together with his
high level of enthusiasm, should produce a long-term project
member who will ultimately take over the reins of field coordi-
nator from Rick van Veen.

South Camp Renovations.—Having completed a major
post-Hurricane Ivan reconstruction of our field station, further
improvements to “South Camp” have been ongoing. In 2006,
the team constructed two large wooden platforms to serve as
bases for tents, which increases the field worker capacity. Other
improvements included the acquisition of four deep-cycle bat-
teries, additional electrical components, and the subsequent
establishment of a functioning wind generator for supplying
power to camp. A two-burner gas stove was obtained for a dra-
matically remodeled kitchen and additional cement work was
also completed.

Habitat Protection Advocacy and Support.—One positive
development is that management capacity for the Hellshire Hills
may finally become a reality. The National Environment and
Planning Agency (NEPA) has apparently delegated management
authority to the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).
Encouragingly, the first ever “no tree cutting” signs were posted
along the periphery of Hellshire in the vicinity of Hillrun and

Coquar Bay. Significantly, the UDC has hired a new
Environmentalist and a new Environmental Officer, whose
work will focus on implementing the UDC’s Hellshire
Environmental Management Plan (HEMP).

2006 Nesting Season.—The two main nesting areas in cen-
tral Hellshire (“Upper Nesting Site” [UNS] and “Lower Nesting
Site” [LNS]) were monitored from newly constructed observa-
tion hides during the month of June. In total, 13 females were
confirmed as having deposited nests in these two areas. These
communal nesting areas were surrounded with metal flashing
prior to the hatching season in September eanbling the collec-
tion and enumeration of over 100 hatchlings. Several other suc-
cessful nests also were discovered during the hatching season.
Fourteen hatchlings emerged from a secondary nest near the
LNS, and a minimum of six hatchlings (1 + 5) emerged from
two small “rock-hole” nests. Another rock-hole nest southwest
of the main nesting areas was also discovered, but this nest was
flooded by heavy rains, as it had been in 2005. One other poten-
tial rock-hole nest was noted but was not accessible and there-
fore could not be examined to determine whether it had pro-
duced hatchlings. Finally, “Stumpy,” a head-start release from
2001, deposited eggs in the camp vegetable garden; these eggs
did not hatch. Overall, a minimum of 21 potentially successful
nests and 23 nesting attempts were recorded. In total, we docu-
mented the successful production of 125 hatchlings. 85 were
PIT-tagged and released, 20 were taken to the Hope Zoo for
head starting, while the remainder were enumerated based on
the discovery of hatched eggs. 

Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei) communal nesting areas were surrounded with metal flashing prior to the hatching season in September enabling
the collection and enumeration of over 100 hatchlings. 

B
Y

R
O

N
 W

IL
SO

N



Radiotelemetry.—Starting from the nesting season, Rick van
Veen began attaching small (BP-2) radio transmitters to post-
partum female iguanas and other adult or subadult animals. The
main objectives of the exercise were to determine the distances
females were traveling to access the two known communal nest-
ing areas, to map their non-nesting season home ranges, and to
gather additional information on habitat-use patterns. In total,
15 females and 11 males were radiotagged. Several of the trans-
mitters failed almost immediately or became detached from the
lizards. In all, reliable data were obtained for 20 animals. As
expected, females have smaller home ranges than males, but
somewhat surprisingly, these females apparently live quite close
to the nesting areas. We had expected that, given the paucity of
suitable nesting sites (i.e., dirt areas), some of them would have
traveled considerable distances.

This study revealed some interesting aspects of iguana
behavior and habitat use that may have important conservation
implications. For example, well-worn iguana trails (“pads”) lead-
ing to and from particular fruiting trees were noted during
radiotelemetry efforts. These pads appear to have been used by
iguanas for decades (or longer), and point to the critical impor-
tance of these resources. This, of course, underscores the imper-
ative of curtailing tree cutting in the Hellshire Hills.

Population Inferences.—During the course of live-trapping
iguanas to obtain subjects for the telemetry study, a total of 34
adult or subadult animals were captured. Of those, nine were
previously PIT-tagged wild adults, four were “new” wild
subadults or young adults, and 21 were headstarters. Hence,
62% of the trapped sample were headstarters, further suggest-

ing the importance of headstarting/augmentation to the rem-
nant population residing in the very central part of the iguana
area. 

Pitfall Trapping Experiment.—This field experiment, exam-
ining the impact of mongoose control on the terrestrial herpeto-
fauna of the Hellshire Hills, proceeded into its tenth year.
Although we have not seen the increase in ground-reptile abun-
dance that was anticipated, this long-term trapping exercise rep-
resents a novel monitoring program for a Caribbean dry forest,
and certainly represents the most useful gauge of biotic patterns
within the Hellshire Hills.

Predator Control.—We continued to operate and expand
our predator trapping program in 2006. Trapping capacity was
enhanced by the addition of 30 new mongoose/cat traps and
120 new snares obtained through a grant to the pig project
being conducted by Professor R. Robinson and the iguana team.
Numbers of invasive predators caught and removed were simi-
lar to previous years: around 100 mongooses, half a dozen cats,
and over 30 pigs. Also removed were substantial numbers of rats
and Cane Toads (Bufo marinus). No dogs were trapped during
2006, although they were an occasional presence in the forest.

Goat Islands Restoration.—As always, interest in a rehabili-
tation program for the Goat Islands has been high, but awaits
higher-level management activity before it can become a reality.
At present, the UDC is working on the development of an
MOU with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which is a
necessary prerequisite for DWCT to embark on a fundraising
campaign to fund the restoration effort. In addition to contin-
uing interest from the IUCN-ISG and the IIF, Island

236 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Of Jamaican Iguanas (Cyclura collei) trapped for a telemetry study, 62% were headstarters, reinforcing the importance of headstarting and augmen-
tation to the remnant population residing in the very central part of the iguana area. 

B
Y

R
O

N
 W

IL
SO

N



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2372006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Conservation has also expressed an interest in participating in
the eradications of invasive species on the Goat Islands.

Tree Cutting Crisis.—In November 2005, we discovered cut
Lignum vitae trees well within the “core” iguana conservation
zone. Occasional incursions continued until October 2006, dur-
ing which Lignum were cut within 150 m of the Lower Nest
Site. Ground reconnaissance revealed that the incursions were
emanating from a trail ~100 m west of our historical trail. Large
commercial charcoal operations were also noted within the
iguana area and a subsequent Jamaica Defense Force helicopter
trip confirmed both the extent of charcoal operations in central
Hellshire and their proximity to our research and conservation
activities.

Police operations also resulted in the confiscation of charcoal,
both in the vicinity of Hillrun and along the coast. One arrest was
apparently made at a charcoal-burning site east of Manatee Bay.
What level of legal action was taken against coal burners along the
northern edge of Hellshire is unclear. Unfortunately, the public
education program to be launched by the UDC lagged behind
police activities, and rumors of coal-burner anger directed at
iguana researchers have emerged. Armed police escorts have been
used in special cases, but having iguana workers accompanied by
the police during every activity is not practical. Accordingly, we
are now continuing activities as before, albeit with a heightened
sense of unease. Should these security problems remain unad-
dressed or worsen, the viability of the iguana recovery effort must
certainly be viewed as tenuous.

Residential and Tourism Development.—The UDC has
revised the original plans for residential expansion in the
Hellshire area. Old plans for a large development in the central

Hellshire area have apparently been shelved; at present, ongoing
and future development will be limited to the eastern portion of
the peninsula, adjacent to existing development in the vicinity
of the Hellshire Beach community. These new plans provide for
the protection of most of the remaining Hellshire forest, includ-
ing what we consider to be the core iguana area in central
Hellshire. However, a densely populated community located
deeper in Hellshire, with an increase in human and other species
incursions (especially dogs and cats), is of concern.

A more insidious threat is the potential for tourism inter-
ests to overwhelm conservation concerns and result in the con-
struction of large hotels along Hellshire’s remaining white sand
beaches. Local and foreign development interests have turned
their eyes on every undeveloped beach remaining on the island.
The combination of government ineptitude, personal greed, and
the temptation of foreign investment have already proven disas-
trous in Jamaica. The general pattern is as follows: a foreign
entity pledges support, political will overrides the country’s envi-
ronmental legislation, the project starts without a proper EIA,
ground is broken and suddenly hundreds of new workers are
employed. Because taking jobs away from desperately poor peo-
ple is something that “can’t be done,” the project then attains a
momentum that is impossible to halt. Therefore, ensuring that
these projects never get off the ground is imperative.

Anegada Iguana 2006 Conservation and Research Update
Glenn Gerber,1 Lee Pagni,1 and Kelly Bradley2

1Zoological Society of San Diego 2Dallas Zoo
Headstarted Iguana Releases.—Twenty-four headstarted Anegada
Iguanas (Cyclura pinguis) fitted with radiotransmitters were
released in October 2005. As with previous releases in October
2003 and 2004, 12 animals, six males and six females, compris-
ing similar size ranges, were released at each of two sites: Middle
Cay, with rocky woodland habitat, and Windlass Bight, with
sandy scrub habitat. In 2005, we continued the trend of releas-
ing slightly smaller animals than the year before, in an attempt
to determine the minimum size at which iguanas can survive
with cats. The smallest iguanas released in 2005 were 450 g, as
opposed to 600 g in 2004, and 750 g in 2003. Unlike previous

Interest in a rehabilitation program for the Goat Islands is high, but
higher-level management activity is necessary before it can become a
reality. 

Twenty-four headstarted Anegada Iguanas (Cyclura pinguis) fitted with
radiotransmitters were released in October 2005. 

K
EL

LY
 B

R
A

D
LE

Y



releases, when all 24 animals were fitted with internal transmit-
ters, only the eight smallest animals released in 2005 (those
between 450 and 600 g) received internal transmitters. The
largest 16 iguanas were fitted with external transmitters attached
to the nuchal crest. 

Iguanas released in 2005 were tracked for a total of 15
weeks, over a one-year period (October–October), to monitor
survival, growth, habitat use, behavior, and home range. In addi-
tion, iguanas released in 2004 and 2003 continued to be mon-
itored whenever possible. Despite releasing a range of differently
sized animals each year, decreasing the minimum size of released
animals, and releasing animals in two very different habitat
types, we have observed no differences in survival between years
or study sites one year after release (overall mean = 86% sur-
vival), and no associations between animal size and survival.

In October 2006, the fourth annual release of iguanas took
place. All animals in the headstart facility that weighed 450 g or
more (29 individuals) were released, bringing the total count for
animals released since 2003 to 101. 2006 was the first year ani-
mals were released without radiotransmitters. Based on previous
work, we feel confident these animals will experience survival
rates similar to prior release groups. Of the 29 iguanas released,
15 were released at Windlass Bight and 14 at Middle Cay. Sex
ratios and size ranges of released animals were balanced between
the two sites, as with earlier releases.

Health Screening.—In October 2006, a veterinary team
from the Wildlife Conservation Society (Robert Moore and
Kate McClave) performed prerelease health screens on iguanas
at the headstart facility. All of the animals slated for release were
found to be in good physical condition with acceptable blood
chemistry and hematology profiles.

Feral Mammals.—In March 2006, a team from Island
Conservation (Brad Keitt and Bill Wood) and CRES visited the
British Virgin Islands (BVI) to conduct a feral mammal assess-
ment of Anegada and investigate the feasibility and cost of erad-
icating cats, livestock, and rats from the island. In addition to
fieldwork, meetings were held with local stakeholders, including
representatives from the BVI National Parks Trust (NPT), the
Conservation and Fisheries Department, and the Agriculture
Department. Island Conservation’s recommendation is to first

eradicate feral cats and livestock. Eradication of rats will be
much more expensive and is not currently a priority.

Nests and Hatchlings.—During the first half of July 2006, a
team of five volunteers (Joe Burgess, George Waters, Tina Bouse,
and Todd and Kym Campbell) traveled to Anegada to help with
the annual nest search and other fieldwork. Four nests were
located: one at Cooper Rock on the northeastern shore, and
three at Windlass Bight along the north-central coast in the core
iguana area. As in years past, temperature data-loggers were
placed in each nest, and a fence of metal flashing was erected
around each nest site to contain the hatchlings upon emergence
and to exclude feral mammals. 

In October, hatchlings emerged and were collected from
each of the four nests found in July. The number of hatchlings
emerging from individual nests was 14 for the Cooper Rock
nest, and nine, nine, and six for the Windlass Bight nests.
Despite attempts to excavate all nest sites after emergence, only
the egg chamber for the Cooper Rock nest could be located. It
contained 14 empty eggshells (100% hatching rate). In addition
to recovering 37 of the 38 hatchlings known to have emerged
from our four marked nests, an additional five hatchlings were
captured during the course of other fieldwork, and one hatch-
ling was captured in the Settlement, bringing the number of
hatchlings placed in the headstart facility to 43 this year.

Headstart Facility.—The Anegada headstart facility, main-
tained and operated by the BVINPT, presently consists of 12 large
cages with 66 iguanas (41 hatchlings collected in October, and 25
older juveniles weighing < 450 g) housed in groups of similarly
sized individuals. In addition, 29 animals weighing greater than
450 g were released in October, as described above. Four deaths
have been documented at the facility in the past year. However,
two of these were animals with extenuating conditions: one ani-
mal from the 2005 hatch with severe spinal deformities and a
2006 hatchling from the Settlement that sustained a substantial
injury to its tympanum before being brought to the facility.
Growth of animals in the facility, including the 29 iguanas released
in October, was generally good and showed considerable improve-
ment in the last six months. This is attributed to improved care
by facility staff (Alex Varlack, Michael Young, and Rondel Smith)
and the addition of Samantha Addinall, with prior experience at

238 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

In October, Anegada Iguana hatchlings (Cyclura pinguis) emerged from
each of the four nests discovered during fieldwork in July. 

K
EL

LY
 B

R
A

D
LE

Y

The Anegada headstart facility presently consists of twelve large cages
that contain a total of 66 iguanas. 

R
IC

K
 H

U
D

SO
N



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2392006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

the iguana facility on Grand Cayman, to oversee operations on
Anegada for the BVINPT. In the coming year, the BVINPT
hopes to improve the headstart facility by adding 56 smaller cages
(to begin housing animals individually) and constructing a build-
ing with facilities for food preparation, equipment storage, and
office space. 

Genetics.—In 2006, in addition to the routine collection of
blood samples from all new captures on Anegada (n = 47), blood
sampling materials and protocols were shared with researchers
on Guana Island. As a result, 29 samples from the translocated
population on Guana (founded by eight adults from Anegada
between 1984 and 1986) and five samples from the translocated
population on Necker (founded by four offspring from Guana
in 1995) were added to our sample collection for the species.

Vitamin D Study.—In an effort to fill gaps of our knowl-
edge of baseline physiological values, we initiated a new blood
chemistry study this year. We collected blood samples to meas-
ure serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25-OH-D3), calcium, and
parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in wild, released,
and captive iguanas throughout the year. We collected 20 sam-
ples each month for May, July, and October. By taking serial
samples, we hope to demonstrate seasonal changes in these vari-
ables over time. Bill Gehrmann and Gary Ferguson, from Texas
Christian University, and Michael Holick, from Boston
University of Medicine, are participating in this study.

Education.—Thanks in part to the IRCF, several educa-
tional projects were completed in 2006, including the produc-
tion of laminated headstart facility guides, and 500 posters and
1000 brochures promoting Anegada, its native wildlife, and the
iguana conservation and research program. In addition, with
partners at the BVI National Parks Trust, a hands-on educational
program for the public was held in conjunction with the release
of headstarted iguanas in October. Participants included
Anegada school children and their teachers, ecology students
and instructors from Stout Community College on Tortola, and
adult residents of Anegada.

New Field Initiatives.—In July, with the help of our volun-
teer field team, we began a new initiative to put permanent ID
markers at all known retreat sites, and collect spatial and ecolog-
ical data for these sites using a data-logging differential GPS.
This work was continued in October, and we presently have
over 100 retreats mapped and marked in the core iguana area.
We will continue this work in 2007, and anticipate mapping
and marking at least another 50 retreats. We also are beginning
a trapping program to capture, measure, and mark as many wild
iguanas on Anegada as possible, in an effort to better estimate
population size and other demographic parameters. We experi-
enced good success using live-traps to recapture released head-
started iguanas during the past year and also trapped a handful
of wild adults in the process. We now have 14 live-traps on
Anegada and, in 2007, will begin a concentrated trapping effort
focused on the wild population, by systematically trapping ani-
mals associated with marked retreats.

In May 2007, we plan to begin attaching two-year external
radiotransmitters to adult male and female iguanas at our
Windlass Bight and Middle Cay study sites, to determine home
range and movement patterns of resident adults in these areas and
for comparison to our radiotelemetric studies of released head-

started iguanas at these sites. In addition, as opportunities arise,
we hope to use radiotelemetry to track: (1) females leaving coastal
nesting sites and returning to their territories; (2) juveniles dis-
persing from Windberg Cay, a small islet in Red Pond that
appears to serve as a natural headstart facility; and (3) the move-
ments and survival of hatchlings following emergence from nests.

Funding.—In July 2006, CRES received a two-year grant
of 70,000 Euros from the Nando Peretti Foundation for the
Anegada project. Funds will be used for the new field initiatives
outlined above, continuation of fieldwork associated with the
headstart and release program, educational needs, and the con-
struction of additional cages at the headstart facility. In addition,
$3,000 from Henry Jarecki (the owner of Guana Island) and
$1,000 from Gad Perry (Texas Tech University) have been
pledged to CRES for the analysis of DNA samples from the
Guana and Necker iguana populations.

Anegada SRP.—The Anegada Species Recovery Plan, orig-
inally drafted in 2004, has been finalized and submitted for lay-
out and publication. Copies should be available in early 2007.

Mona Island Iguana
Reports on Ecology, Conservation, and Blindness

Néstor Pérez-Buitrago, Keysa Rosas, Stephan Funk, Miguel
García, Alberto Álvarez, and Owen McMillan

University of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Department of Natural
and Environmental Resources

The Rhinoceros Iguana, Cyclura cornuta cornuta, is widely dis-
tributed throughout Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican
Republic), whereas the Mona Iguana, C. c. stejnegeri, is endemic
to the remote island of Mona (Puerto Rico). Mona is located in
a deep-sea channel between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico and no
evidence is indicative of a historic connection between Mona
and either Puerto Rico or Hispaniola. The Mona Iguana is char-
acterized by low density compared to C. c. cornuta and other
species of Cyclura, and by an age pyramid strongly biased toward
large individuals, which indicates low levels of juvenile recruit-
ment into the breeding population. These two traits have led to
the conclusion that the Mona population “is abnormally small.”
In order to investigate the factors determining the demography
of Mona Iguanas and to strategically plan conservation manage-
ment, the Center of Applied Tropical Ecology (CREST-
CATEC) at the University of Puerto Rico and the Natural
Resources Department (DRNA-PR) started an intensive
research program in 2003. Research focuses on three study sites
representing three environments (vegetation structure and com-
position) and different levels of human disturbance (from none
to high disturbance). To date, we have captured, measured, sam-
pled, and marked 235 iguanas in the three study areas. Captured
animals continue to demonstrate “vision problems.” Nine of 28
animals captured in 1998–99 appeared to be blind, lending cre-
dence to earlier anecdotal reports of “vision problems” (Tim
Reichard, Toledo Zoo). However, the causes for the condition
remain unknown, in particular whether it is based on environ-
mental/climatic factors, nutrition and condition of iguanas, or
genetic predisposition.

A total of 42 iguanas were marked with radiotransmitters
and radiotracked during the reproductive and non-reproductive
seasons. Iguanas occupy home ranges with little to no overlap



among animals of the same sex, indicating sex-specific territori-
ality. During the mating period, some females “visit” neighbor-
ing males, with which they do not interact during the non-
reproductive season. During the nesting period, females seek a
place for nesting and either go directly to a specific nesting loca-
tion or visit many potential nesting areas. Females appear to
exhibit strong competition for nesting sites in communal nest-
ing areas that are already in use by other females. The maximum
distance traveled was by a young female that visited many nest-
ing areas before reaching the final spot after moving 12.8 km.
Hatching success varied from 55–89% during the study period.

In 2003 and 2004, we captured hatchlings either for mark-
ing with PIT-tags (n = 163) and immediate release or for the
headstarting program. So far, only one PIT-tagged hatchling was
recaptured between 2005 and 2006. The headstarting program
was launched in 1999 and employs the DRNA-PR captive facil-
ities on Mona Island. Hatchlings collected in 1999 and 2000
were released in 2002 and 2003. Hatchlings collected in 2003
and 2004 are awaiting release. In 2003, we implemented an
intensive mark-recapture program in order to estimate popula-
tion density and to quantify survival and growth rates of wild
and headstarted iguanas.

We are utilizing molecular genetic tools in order to quan-
tify reproductive success of males and to assess multiple pater-
nity. After testing 20 microsatellite primers developed for Cuban
Iguanas, C. nubila, failed to produce interpretable results, we
developed a microsatellite library for the Mona Iguana. From 29
primer pairs for Mona Iguana-specific microsatellite loci, we

have optimized 19 primer pairs resulting in scorable genotypes.
Ten loci exhibit three or more alleles (range 3–16, mean = 5.0)
in a subset of 55 adults. The marker set has low probability of
identity and high exclusion power even for highly related indi-
viduals, thus the marker set is highly suitable for studies of pater-
nity, social organization, and relatedness. Initial parentage analy-
ses for three nests of one female suggest both single and multiple
paternity within clutches of different years, different males
between years, and sharing of the same nest site by two or more
females. Currently, we are confirming and extending these pre-
liminary results by further genotyping.

The Mona Island population is ideal for assessing the eco-
nomic costs, reliability, and precision of different methodologies
for the estimation of population size because iguanas have been
easily observed during the intensive monitoring of the three
study areas over the last years. Direct observations, mark-recap-
ture, and radiotracking suggest that all resident animals have
been individually marked. Using information obtained between
2003 and 2005 (mark-recapture and home range sizes) as base-
line data, we currently are comparing costs (time, manpower,
and resources) and density estimates of mark-recapture, distance
sampling, non-invasive genetic tagging using fecal samples. In
addition, we monitor communal nesting areas during the short
hatching season (only three weeks in October) in order to inves-
tigate whether the method allows the estimation of population
trends. In 2006, we counted 680 hatchling emergence holes in
the coastal nesting areas, which comprise ~74% of the suitable
areas available for iguana nesting on Mona Island.

240 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Mona Island Iguanas (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri) occupy home ranges with little to no overlap among animals of the same sex, indicating sex-spe-
cific territoriality. This gravid female is radio-collared to track movements. 

N
ES

TO
R

 P
ÉR

EZ



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2412006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Problem Assessment and Control of the Introduced Cuban
Iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila) on Isla Magueyes

Alberto Álvarez, Néstor Pérez-Buitrago, Maria Andrade-
Núñez, and Miguel García-Bermúdez

University of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Department of Natural
and Environmental Resources

The exotic Cuban Iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila) was intro-
duced in the mid-1960s to Isla Magueyes (southwest of Puerto
Rico) as part of an erstwhile zoo exhibition (Rivero 1978). The
island (7.2 ha) harbors the facilities of the Department of
Marine Sciences–University of Puerto Rico (DMS-UPR),
Mayagüez campus. Anecdotal information suggests that the
actual Cuban Iguana population in Magueyes comes from one
founding pair. In 1986, an estimate of population size was 167
individuals (23.2 iguanas/ha). Since then, the population has
showed a noticeable increase in density (55–70 iguanas/ha), an
effect attributed to a cat and rat-removal program implemented
in the mid-1990s. The most recent census in November 2005
estimated the population at 422 individuals. This abnormal
iguana abundance has become a nuisance for some members of
the university community in Magueyes, who claim that they are
frequently harassed and occasionally bitten by iguanas, creating
an unsuitable environment and posing potential legal implica-
tions for DMS. In contrast, other people view the presence of
this iguana as having a cultural and sentimental value for
Magueyes. This situation motivated the administration of DMS

to request DNER action to manage/control or eradicate this
population. Several options have been under scrutiny since this
request: extirpation (donations to zoos, NGOs, and/or private
entities), translocation to other known populations of this
species, and eradication as a last resource. In-situ activities were
also considered such as the destruction of nest areas after ovipo-
sition. 

To address this issue, DNER’s Division of Wildlife person-
nel, along with students from UPR Department of Biology (Rio
Piedras campus), started a mark-recapture program in June 2006
as an initial effort to expand our knowledge of this population
relevant to making appropriate management decisions; an ini-
tiative endorsed by the Iguana Specialist Group (IUCN-ISG).
This information would be critical from the perspective of ongo-
ing ecological/genetic processes that this unplanned introduced
population is having and how they have changed compared to
“normal” Cyclura populations. In addition, this group offers a
unique opportunity to develop research into processes that,
although documented for populations of Cyclura, are difficult to
quantify, such as frequency of cannibalism and the effect of
exotic predators on the population and demography of the
species on the island. Finally, a major priority of this research is
to establish the genetic identity of the population, since its ori-
gin is uncertain.

An agreement between DNER and DMS granted a 1.5-
year period (ending December 2007) to conduct research on the
population before decisions concerning its management are exe-
cuted. By November 2006, we have collected tissue samples,
gathered morphometric data on 135 individuals, plus collected
some demographic information. Our plan is focused on two
major aspects: (1) ecological research, which includes demogra-
phy, nesting ecology, and diet; and (2) genetic research aimed at
establishing the genetic identity of the species and the level of
inbreeding in the population. We also intend to develop an
experimental design to quantify the impact of cats on a high-
density iguana population.

2006 Research Update for Allen Cays Iguanas
John Iverson

Earlham College
Fieldwork in March (one week) and July (one week) focused on
surveys of islands in the vicinity of the two natural populations
of Allen Cays Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura inornata) on Leaf Cay
and U Cay in the Allen Cays (Exumas, Bahamas). We surveyed
eight of these cays, and found iguanas on six of them (0.25–14
ha); however, reproduction is occurring on only one of those
islands. The latter cay had no iguanas present in 1996, but now
has a population of over 100 individuals. In July, we confirmed
that at least eight females had nested on the cay. Some individ-
uals on at least three of the cays were originally marked on Leaf
or U Cay, and subsequently translocated to those cays by
humans. We believe that tour boat operators may be relocating
aggressive iguanas from the Leaf and U Cay beaches, where peo-
ple are allowed to feed the iguanas. Blood samples were drawn
from animals from all islands for a study of the origin of the
introductions. Additional survey work is planned for 2007, as
well as additional study of the nesting ecology of the iguanas on
the two cays with introductions. Allen Cays Iguanas now occur

The exotic Cuban Iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila) was introduced in
the mid-1960s to Isla Magueyes (southwest of Puerto Rico) as part of
an erstwhile zoo exhibition. This individual was the first female cap-
tured and marked. At present, morphometric data have been collected
for over 180 iguanas. 

N
ES

TO
R

 P
ÉR

EZ



242 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Leaf Cay (Allen Cays, Exumas, Bahamas), home to the largest population of the endangered Allen Cays Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata), is the
most popular iguana feeding location, receiving an ever-growing number of tourists, easily exceeding 100 visitors on an average day. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S

K
IR

ST
EN

 H
IN

ES

K
IR

ST
EN

 H
IN

ES

K
IR

ST
EN

 H
IN

ES

Of eight cays surveyed in the Allen Cays (Exumas, Bahamas), Allen Cays Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura inornata) were found on six, but reproduction
is occurring on only one. 

LY
N

N
E 

PI
EP

ER



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2432006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

on at least nine separate islands, although only four of these have
substantial, reproducing populations. The total world popula-
tion has increased from about 150 in 1970 to perhaps 1300
today. 

Preliminary Diet Analyses for Cyclura cychlura inornata
and Cyclura cychlura figginsi:

Assessing Potential Impacts of Tourist Feeding
Kirsten Hines

The Institute for Regional Conservation
Tourism is a staple of the Bahamian economy and over half the
workforce is employed in tourism-related industries. In an
attempt to compete in this market, tour operators have turned
to eco-tourism. Airline magazines now tantalize visitors with
flashy ads that promise remote beaches in the Exumas and a
chance to feed sharks, stingrays, and iguanas. Leaf Cay (Allen
Cays), home to the largest population of the endangered Allen
Cays Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata) and the most popular
iguana feeding location, receives an ever-growing number of
tourists, easily exceeding 100 visitors on an average day. The
industry has been so successful that the concept has spread to
the southern Exumas, affecting populations of endangered
Exuma Island Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura figginsi). In order to
assess potential impacts of tourist grape offerings on iguana diet,
92 C. c. inornata fecal samples were collected from seven cays in
the northern Exumas and 131 C. c. figginsi fecal samples were
collected from six cays in the southern and central Exumas over
the past year. While samples at most locations consisted of native
vegetation, preliminary analyses indicate a dietary shift on Leaf
Cay (Allen Cays), primarily at the tourist-feeding beach. About
30% of fecal samples from this beach contained high concentra-
tions of grapes and sand (compared to < 10% for other areas on
Leaf Cay and 0% on other cays), and one sample contained only
grapes and sand. This beach also was the only area with a high
incidence of diarrhea that dried to a cement-like tube instead of
the natural cigar-style wrap of leaves. Initial observations suggest
that minimal or infrequent food supplementation may not affect
iguana diet, but prolonged periods of regular feeding appear to
alter diet composition. This dietary shift may be limited to indi-
viduals that frequent feeding beaches, but as eco-tourism
expands globally, more individuals of these species and others
may be affected. Prohibiting the expansion of this industry
seems unrealistic and maybe even unnecessary, but we must
understand its impact to minimize potential damage. Future
research will focus on quantifying differences among scat sam-
ples; establishing a pre-tourist expansion baseline by analyzing
samples collected across the Exumas by John Iverson in the
1980s, examining the health impacts of a dietary shift, and
recording behavioral differences between areas with tourist feed-
ing and those with none.

Taxon Reports for Cyclura cychlura and 
Future Research Plans for Iguana iguana

Charles Knapp
Zoological Society of San Diego

Andros Iguana (Cyclura cychlura cychlura).—Some aspects of the
Conservation and Management Plan for the Andros Iguana that

were identified as priority projects in November 2005 have been
initiated or completed. Lee Pagni, Deirdre Ballou, and I (San
Diego Zoo) received a $10,000 USFWS Wildlife Without
Borders grant for conservation education initiatives for Andros
Island that focus on raising awareness of the iguana. The grant
includes provisions for teacher workshops, mobile outreach edu-
cation kits, and funding for Ricardo Johnson’s soccer club.

In June 2006, the Nature Conservancy organized a rapid
ecological assessment of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems on
the western side of Andros Island. This assessment was con-
ducted, in part, to fill information gaps on the distribution of
high-profile endangered species such as flamingos, sea turtles, and
iguanas. Objectives for the iguana rapid assessment were to: (1)
locate areas of relatively high iguana density; (2) survey within
the existing Central Andros National Park boundary on North
Andros; and (3) conduct general herpetofaunal surveys to pro-
duce species distribution lists. In general, few, if any iguanas
inhabit the western side of North Andros Island. Additionally,
the existing National Park on North Andros Island is not ade-
quate to ensure the long-term survival of the Andros Iguana.

In June 2006, the Nature Conservancy organized a rapid ecological
assessment of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems on the western side
of Andros Island. This assessment was conducted, in part, to fill infor-
mation gaps on the distribution of high-profile endangered species
such as flamingos, sea turtles, and Andros Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura
cychlura). 

JO
E 

B
U

R
G

ES
S



Exuma Islands Iguana (Cyclura cychlura figginsi).—Surveys in the
Exuma Island chain were conducted in April 2006. Objectives
for 2006 were to: (1) survey iguana populations in the south-
central Exuma chain; (2) translocate iguanas from Leaf Cay
(northeast of Normans Pond) to Pasture Cay in the Exuma Cays
Land and Sea Park to augment the initial colony that was
translocated in 2002; and (3) collect preliminary dietary and
body-condition data for comparative studies of iguana popula-
tions inhabiting Exuma cays visited by tourists versus unvisited
cays. In addition to the April surveys, Gaulin, Bitter Guana, and
Pasture cays were visited 26 May–4 June 2006. During the April
surveys, we captured and processed a total of 123 iguanas from
five cays. During the May/June surveys, we captured an addi-
tional two founder iguanas from Pasture Cay, one iguana from
Bitter Guana, and 51 iguanas from Gaulin Cay. Of the 51
Gaulin captures, 27 were recaptures dating back as far as 1998.
On 10 April, we set Sherman live rat traps on White Bay (n =
28 traps) and Leaf Cays (n = 30 traps). We trapped six rats from
White Bay and none from Leaf Cay. To date, rats have been con-
firmed from White Bay, Gaulin, Bitter Guana, and Pasture cays.
North Adderly, Noddy, and Guana cays still need to be surveyed
for rats. The translocated seven (5.2) founder iguanas recaptured
on Pasture Cay all appeared healthy and had gained body mass
since last capture. Two founder iguanas (1.1) were observed but
not captured. Three subadults that were hatched on the island
were either captured or observed. Evidence of exploratory dig-

ging activity was observed on the northern beach and two igua-
nas appeared to have nested.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana).—A 2007 study will be con-
ducted to test the locomotor effects of transmitter burdening on
hatchling Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) in the laboratory and
then correlate performance with survival of hatchlings in the
field. Specific objectives will include: (1) measuring maximal
sprint speed of I. iguana hatchlings affixed with radio transmit-
ters that equal 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% of body mass; (2) measuring
jump speed of hatchlings affixed with radiotransmitters varying
in the same ratios; and (3) releasing and radiotracking a subset
of 30–40 hatchlings in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica to test for survival differ-
ences between the three different treatment groups.

Specific conservation goals for this study include quantify-
ing the effects (if any) of transmitter burdening on lizards.
Because radiotransmitter studies will be required to answer con-
servation-oriented questions on multiple lizard taxa (including
the genus Cyclura), having information pertaining to the effects
of transmitter burdening is imperative in order to establish
quantitative guidelines and recommendations for future ecolog-
ical studies. In addition, Green Iguana populations are becom-
ing threatened in parts of the species’ range, therefore, survival
and dispersal data stemming from this work will be used to
guide future management strategies for the species.

244 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Exuma Islands Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura figginsi) translocated from Leaf Cay to Pasture Cay in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park in 2002 appeared
healthy and had gained body mass since the previous survey. 

C
H

A
R

LE
S 

R
. K

N
A

PP



The Conservation of Iguana delicatissima in Martinique 
and a Future Action Plan for the French West Indies

Jean-Francois Maillard1 and Michel Breuil2
1Agency of Hunting and Wildlife, Martinique 

2Natural History Museum, Paris
Iguana delicatissima has been protected in the French West
Indian islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe since 1989. The
French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, with
the Strategy for Biodiversity, is responsible for preserving the
endemic fauna and flora of the French tropical areas. Since early
2006 on Martinique, a new project has been undertaken to con-
serve and enhance populations of I. delicatissima. The French
Agency of Hunting and Wildlife (Office National de la Chasse
et de la Faune Sauvage, ONCFS) is collaborating with Dr.
Michel Breuil from the French Natural History Museum of
Paris (Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, MNHN) to facili-
tate this two-year scientific and technical project, which is finan-
cially supported by the European Union, the French Ministry
of Ecology, and the ONCFS.

In Martinique, populations of iguanas are scarce. At least
two populations are known to inhabit the northern portion of
the island, but demographic data are sparse because the moun-
tainous areas are difficult to access. A second population inhab-
its Islet Chancel, a 70-ha island in the bay of Robert on the
Atlantic Coast. The objectives of the ONCFS project are to assess
the demography of I. delicatissima on Islet Chancel, to augment
the iguana population by introducing iguanas to Islet Ramier in
the bay of Fort de France, and to remove individuals of I. iguana,
which were released from a zoo and are rapidly reproducing.

From April–July, 168 adult iguanas have been captured,
measured, PIT-tagged, and released on Islet Chancel. Using cap-
ture/recapture methods, we estimate the population size at 600
individuals with a sex ratio of 1:1.3. We are waiting to publish
our results because we need to complete our database and want
to compare spatial distribution of the two sexes between the
breeding and non-breeding seasons. Additionally, M. Breuil has
captured and marked adult iguanas since 1993, and we will be
analyzing individual growth rates.

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2452006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Male Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) on Islet Chancel (top), an adult female captured for radiotagging (lower left), and a female on
islet Chancel fitted with a radiotransmitter for tracking movements (lower right). 

O
FF

IC
E 

N
A

TI
O

N
A

L 
D

E 
LA

 C
H

A
SS

E 
ET

 D
E 

LA
 F

A
U

N
E 

SA
U

V
A

G
E 

(O
N

C
FS

)



On Chancel, the physical parameter limiting the growth of
the population appears to be poor conditions for nest-burrow
excavation. This limiting abiotic condition was first recognized
in 1994 by the French Forestry Agency (ONF). In 2006, we
improved the nesting area on top of the islet by removing rocks,
which were impeding burrow construction. The results were
immediately evident, as many females came to the site and bur-
row excavation was observed. Other nest sites will be improved
by the end of the year.

With the help of the French Navy and with permission of
the owner of Islet Ramier (2 ha), a new population of I. delicatis-
sima was introduced on the islet in July 2006. Nine adults from
Islet Chancel were PIT-tagged and affixed with radiotransmit-
ters. After four months, the iguanas appear to have established
normal home ranges and movement patterns.

The Green Iguana (I. iguana) population has been growing
at an alarming rate on Martinique, and the objective of the
Ministry of Ecology in Martinique is to reduce and eliminate
this species to avoid contact between the two species of iguanas.
Negative effects of these contacts have been well documented in
Guadeloupe. A new law on Martinique now allows I. iguana to
be killed by the French Agency of Hunting and Wildlife police.

St. Lucia Iguana 2006 Project Update
Matthew Morton

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
As in previous years, work on St. Lucia Iguanas (Iguana iguana)
was a collaboration between the Durrell Wildlife Conservation

Trust and the St Lucia Ministry of Agriculture’s Forestry
Department, with assistance from volunteer overseas biologists.

Iguana Nesting.—Nests were monitored for 44 days at
Louvet (36 days between 1 February–30 April) and 38 days at
Grand Anse (34 days between 1 February–30 April). As in 2004
and 2005, nesting activity was greater at Louvet than at Grand
Anse. The mean tail-drag count for both beaches was lower in
2006 than in either 2004 or 2005. We cannot infer any popu-
lation trends from just three years of data. This index, as
planned, will have to be measured over a number of years; how-
ever, evidence is suggestive of a decline. These data have yet to
be analyzed (using Generalized Linear Modeling as in 2005),
but linear regression indicates no significant trend to date.

Average clutch size was 23 eggs/female (14–28, SD ± 4.4,
n = 14), including an additional five clutches from 2004. All
eight nests opened in 2006 were reopened post-hatching, and
an average of 63% of eggs were confirmed hatched: 15%
seemed infertile (no skeletal remains in egg), 7% fertile but
unhatched (skeletal remains), and 15% were missing when nests
were reopened.

Increasing Tourism Pressure.—In early 2006, Louvet Estate
was sold to FM Properties. At initial meetings with the new
owners, they made clear their intentions for development, pro-
jected to include a hotel, golf course, and condominiums. We
were able to present the new owners with preliminary sugges-
tions for zoning the site to take wildlife sensitivities into account.
These areas are primarily littoral vegetation behind the beach, in
which iguanas use sandy patches to nest, and ‘ravine’ areas

246 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Studies of St. Lucia Iguanas (Iguana iguana) are collaborations between the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the St Lucia Ministry of
Agriculture’s Forestry Department, with assistance from volunteers. The individual illustrated was captured shortly after this photograph was taken
and barbequed by local residents. 

©
 E

LI
ZA

B
ET

H
 C

O
R

R
Y

, D
U

R
R

EL
L 

W
IL

D
LI

FE
 C

O
N

SE
R

V
A

TI
O

N
 T

R
U

ST



(buffers around stream courses), which appear to have higher
densities of iguanas (and other species of interest such as the
White-breasted Thrasher, Ramphocinclus brachyurus), and hope-
fully can be used by iguanas as migration corridors onto and
away from the nesting area. Management of additional areas
(such as the open beach at night during turtle nesting) would
also be needed.

FM properties seemed responsive to these suggestions and
showed us a conceptual plan that avoided development in the
sensitive zones (including relocating the hotel behind the beach,
with footpaths for tourists through the littoral vegetation belt
maintained as a nature reserve). However, to the best of our
knowledge, no planning application has been submitted. The
Forestry Department is expected to be consulted on Terms of
Reference for any Environmental Impact Assessment, and
Durrell will be able to contribute to these Terms of Reference
and, as with the Praslin Bay development, review the EIA with
other referral agencies.

Non-native Predators.—Kills of adult iguanas by dogs
increased at Louvet this year, with six nesting females (of which
we are aware) killed, most if not all over a period of two to three
days. No evidence of cats was found at or near the nesting sites
this year, although one was caught about a kilometer from the
beach and euthanized. Our main effort at invasive predator con-
trol this year targeted the introduced small Indian Mongoose
(Herpestes javanicus). Mongoose control research comprised the
bulk of fieldwork in 2006, using a 72-ha trapping grid of 90 live
traps at Louvet. We attempted to test the hypothesis that a small
effort in mongoose control could keep an area at a reduced pop-
ulation of mongooses for an extended period. Unfortunately,
this test of mongoose response to an area cleared of mongooses
was compromised by much-lower-than-predicted captures in the
culling grid (10 individuals compared with >80 in 2005, albeit
the latter over a slightly larger trapping area). This is positive
insofar as it suggests that mongoose culling has an even longer-
lasting effect than we had anticipated.

The large data set from this work has yet to be analyzed,
but we believe that we will have a robust population density esti-

mate. A preliminary estimate of pre-culling captures estimated
the population at 69 mongooses (54–124 mongooses, 95% con-
fidence limits; Huggins closed captures model, implemented in
program MARK), or a density of roughly 0.6 mongooses/ha.
For the culling traps only the estimate was 21 mongooses
(19–34, 95% CL) or 0.5/ha, compared with the 2005 estimate
of mongoose density on the culling grid of 0.8/ha. Relatively
low-level culling apparently has an ongoing effect (reduction in
mongoose activity) even a year later (i.e., from 2005–2006),
which bodes well for iguana nest protection.

Trapping data also provide an indication of average inter-
trap movement distances and some data on mongoose habitat
preferences (e.g., more captures closer to rivers). Preliminary
compositional analysis using fixes and home ranges indicate sig-
nificant non-random habitat use by mongooses with habitats
ranked (from most to least preferred) as: riverine > forest > scrub
> grazed > sand. These findings will help to guide optimal trap
placement in future years.

Capacity Building.—To maximize the chances of success-
fully detecting population trends in the St. Lucia Iguana, the
Forestry Department needs to be able to monitor both Grand
Anse and Louvet beaches for 30 days from 1 February–30 April,
with a minimum of two monitoring days per beach per week
during this period. We designated 120 people-days (equivalent
to two people per beach over 30 days) for iguana monitoring to
assess the Forestry Department’s capacity to conduct such a
monitoring program. We used three measures of success in
achieving this objective: (1) attendance showed a marked
improvement compared with attendance in 2005, although it
still fell short of our objective; (2) time-keeping was less success-
ful, particularly at the Louvet site, and needs to be addressed as
this will compromise future chances of the monitoring program’s
success; and (3) count performance was to a high, consistent
standard. This capacity now clearly exists within the Forestry
Department. A number of recommendations were made,
although impending development at Louvet (see above) might
require monitoring protocols to be reassessed. Durrell has devel-
oped a proposal to pilot an alternative baseline (using occupancy
probability) in 2007 to address this contingency.

Awareness Raising.—Community and one-on-one meetings,
television broadcasts, including “jingles” in advertising slots, and
a documentary produced by the Ministry of Agriculture on
wildlife conservation, which was presented from Louvet and
Grand Anse by contestants in the Miss Earth beauty pageant,
were all used to raise awareness of iguana conservation issues, in
particular the threat from uncontrolled dogs at nesting sites.

Fijian Crested Iguana Update
Peter Harlow
Taronga Zoo

Research continues on the Fijian Crested Iguana Sanctuary
Island of Yadua Taba. Suzie Morrison has just completed her first
year’s research on Yadua Taba where she captured and PIT
tagged 270 resident iguanas (Brachylophus vitiensis) in a 0.25-ha
dry forest quadrant containing 591 trees. This forest site will be
the basis for her long-term mark-recapture project to collect data
on growth rates, movement, reproduction, survivorship, diet,

St. Lucia Iguana (Iguana iguana) nest monitoring provided evidence
suggestive of a decline in activity. These hatchlings were photographed
in 2005.

©
 M

A
TT

H
EW

 M
O

R
TO

N
, D

U
R

R
EL

L 
W

IL
D

LI
FE

 C
O

N
SE

R
V

A
TI

O
N

 T
R

U
ST

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2472006 ISG MEETING REPORTS



and social structure. This year Suzie recorded the first-ever data
on the nesting habits of this species in the field. Several other
projects are running simultaneously, including work on the phe-
nology of important food tree species and the effect of the intro-
duced exotic ‘crazy ant’ and Pacific Rats (Rattus exulans) on
iguana nest and hatchling survivorship. 

Clare Morrison (University of the South Pacific) and her
team of post-graduate biology students and Fiji National Trust
staff recently completed the last of four field trips to investigate
seasonal changes in Crested Iguana diet on Yadua Taba. Iguana
tree-use data from six permanent 250-m transects, as well as
analyses of fecal material have given a good indication of diet.
Tree-use data were collected on 1,425 iguana sightings, and 26
plant species were identified in the scats of 233 iguanas. The
invasive plant and weed management plan for Yadua Taba con-
tinues to be carried out by the Iguana Sanctuary ranger Pita
Biciloa (National Trust for Fiji Islands) and men from the nearby
village on Yadua Island.

On the 40-ha island of Macuata, where Crested Iguanas
were rediscovered in 2004, Craig Morley (University of the
South Pacific) and students, with local assistance, recently com-
pleted the last rapid iguana survey. Over 40 Crested Iguanas
have been PIT-tagged and both Rattus exulans and R. rattus have
been identified, making this the first Crested Iguana population
known to co-exist with R. rattus.

Ctenosaura Session
Evolution of Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura):

How Identification of Species Groups and their
Relationships Can Help with Conservation Priorities

Larry Buckley,1 Katelyn Pagel,1 and Oscar Flores Villela2

1Rochester Institute of Technology 
2Instituto de Biología, UNAM, México

The most diverse group of iguanas (15/37 species) is the Spiny-
tailed Iguanas, genus Ctenosaura, with 15 currently recognized
and at least two unrecognized species. Members of the genus
inhabit primarily lowland (< 1200 m elevation) tropical dry and
arid forests on both coasts of Mexico and Central America. All
species fall within one of seven strongly supported clades (species
groups). Clade distributions show a strong geographic compo-
nent and are associated with well-established biogeographic
areas. Closely related species (within species groups) are charac-
terized by allopatry, whereas sympatry is common among species
from divergent clades. The relationships among these clades have
been the focus of a study using morphological characters and
multiple genetic loci (one mtDNA and two nucDNA) in order
to establish the branching topology of their evolution in the
region. These results contrast significantly with current morpho-
logical interpretations, and point to several instances of conver-
gence in morphological characters commonly used in systematic
studies of the genus Ctenosaura.

248 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Researchers studying the Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) on the Sanctuary Island of Yadua Taba recorded the first-ever data on the
nesting habits of this species in the field. 

JO
E 

B
U

R
G

ES
S



Molecular Analysis of the 
Ctenosaura melanosterna Clade:
Insights into Phylogeography, 
Speciation, and Conservation

Stesha Pasachnik
University of Tennessee

The genus Ctenosaura, overlapping in range with the
Mesoamerican hotspot, exemplifies the “hotspots” reasoning,
brought forth by Myers et al. in 2000, in that it is diverse, is
threatened with extinction, and lacks sufficient means of protec-
tion. Four of the five critically endangered species of Ctenosaura
make up the C. melanosterna clade, which occurs in Honduras
and Guatemala. Due to the current status of these species, an
immediate evaluation of this clade  is imperative in order to facil-
itate critical management decision-making and direct future
research. Preliminary molecular analysis has been performed on
species in the C. melanosterna clade and the wide-ranging con-
gener, C. similis. The results from two mitochondrial markers
and three nuclear markers suggest that this clade has gone
through rapid speciation resulting in four narrow-range
endemics that occur in both insular and continental habitats.
Evidence of hybridization between the island endemic, C. bak-
eri, and C. similis on Utila has been documented using a single
nuclear marker. Additional analysis is needed in order to evalu-
ate the status of each species, date the colonization events asso-
ciated with these species, and define the degree and direction of
introgression that is occurring between C. bakeri and C. similis
on Utila. 

Black Iguana Project 2006 Update: 
Genetics, Demography, and Feeding

Victor Reynoso, Eugenia Zarza-Franco, Wendoli Medina
Mantecón, and Pilar Rueda Zozaya
Instituto de Biología, UNAM, México

Recent research (since 1998) on Black Iguanas (Ctenosaura pecti-
nata) at the Instituto de Biología (UNAM, México) has been
coordinated by Dr. Víctor Hugo Reynoso and has addressed: (1)
phylogeography and population genetics, (2) demography, and
(3) the effect of food, temperature, and sex on growth and diges-
tion efficiency. Genetics and phylogeography of the Black
Iguana are part of Eugenia Zarza-Franco’s Ph.D. project in the
Laboratory of Molecular Ecology in the Centre for Ecology,
Evolution, and Conservation at the University of East Anglia,
UK, with Dr. Brent Emerson. This project intends to evaluate
genetic differentiation among populations of C. pectinata to
establish the geographic history using mitochondrial and nuclear
DNA. Dr. Emerson also aims to understand the species limits,
history, structure, and genetic variation to promote countrywide
conservation strategies. Until now, C. pectinata has been consid-
ered a single species with a broad distribution; however, data
suggest that the species actually consists of several well-differen-
tiated genetic clades. Because of the existence of different human
cultures throughout the distribution of the Black Iguana, each
clade is subject to different human impacts and needs a specific
conservation effort. For example, northern clades are less threat-
ened than southern clades, since Black Iguanas are not eaten in
the north as they are in the south. However, hatchlings in south-

Four of the five critically endangered species of Ctenosaura make up the C. melanosterna clade, which occurs in Honduras and Guatemala. This is
C. melanosterna. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2492006 ISG MEETING REPORTS



ern clades have better survival conditions compared to the more
extreme conditions in which northern clades live. The study
involves a very detailed sampling of several individual Black
Iguanas distributed among more than 50 sites. ND4, Cyt-B,
Alpha enolase, and OD DNA sequences will be compared, as
will external morphology. 

Simultaneously, Eugenia Zarza-Franco is analyzing the
genetic structure of C. pectinata and C. macrolopha in the con-
tact zone where hybrids have been found. Projects still in
progress concern the phylogeography and identity of clades in
the C. hemilopha-macrolopha complex and the phylogeography
of C. acanthura and C. oaxacana.

The project “Demography of the Black Iguana” is con-
ducted in the Instituto de Biología, UNAM, as a Bachelor and
Master’s thesis by Wendoli Medina-Mantecón under direction
of Víctor Reynoso and associated with Ernesto Vega of the
Instituto Nalcional de Ecología, SEMARNAT, México. This
project aims to solve the over-exploitation problem of the Black
Iguana as a food source and establish local management pro-
grams based on new demographic models such as Sensibility
and Elasticity analyses. The species is listed in the Mexican Red
List NOM-059-2001 as Threatened, and hunting is currently
illegal. However, our results suggest that, if iguana populations
are exploited carefully in accordance with certain very well-estab-
lished rules, natural populations can be hunted without decreas-
ing population size. New precise models testing several manage-
ment strategies are being developed, and future work will model
possible scenarios to promote the best hunting strategy to
achieve iguana sustainability.

As an alternative to hunting, the Mexican wildlife agency
SEMARNAT is promoting intensive farm production as the
best strategy to maintain Black Iguanas as a traditional food sup-
ply. The project, entitled “Growth Plus Digestion Efficiency of

Ctenosaura pectinata: Effect of Food, Temperature, and Sex,” is
being developed by Pilar Rueda-Zozaya under the direction of
Víctor Hugo Reynoso in association with Germán Mendoza of
the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco, México,
This study seeks to estimate the effect of commercial food, incu-
bation temperature, and sex in the growth and digestion effi-
ciency of the Black Iguana by evaluating chicken and rabbit pel-
lets as a low-cost captive food option. Food consumption and
digestion variables such as dry matter intake, digestible dry mat-
ter intake, neutral detergent fiber intake, digestible neutral deter-
gent fiber intake, dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fiber
digestibility, weight gain, food conversion, and food intake as a
percentage of animal mass were estimated. This research has sug-
gested that pellet food can be used successfully in iguana farms.

Report on Ctenosaura palearis in Guatemala
John Binns

IRCF
Ctenosaura palearis, variously known as the Guatemalan Black
Iguana or Paleate Spiny-tailed Iguana, is the only member of the
C. melanosterna clade with a distribution outside Honduras.
Found exclusively in the semi-arid Motagua Valley of
Guatemala, the species is listed as Critically Endangered on the
IUCN Red List based on the limited size of its range. Recent
investigations reveal that, while C. palearis was intensively
hunted as a protein source in the past in preference to the sym-
patric C. similis, the species is now extremely rare in some areas.

The International Reptile Conservation Foundation (IRCF),
in partnership with Zootropic and Zoo Atlanta, has initiated
Project Palearis in order to develop and execute a recovery action
plan for C. palearis. This project will be able to leverage many of
the components of Project Heloderma, designed to preserve the
sympatric Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum charles-

250 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Black Iguanas (Ctenosaura pectinata) have been the subject of considerable research at the Instituto de Biología (UNAM, México). 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2512006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

bogerti). Specifically, C. palearis will be included in Zootropic’s edu-
cational program for Heloderma, and will be able to utilize the facil-
ity proposed for breeding H. h. charlesbogerti. 

The IRCF has provided a vehicle and seed money for
research investigating the distribution, ecology, and conservation
status of C. palearis beginning in May 2007. Zootropic’s Daniel
Ariano, and University of Guatemala undergraduate student,
Paola Coti, will be bead-tagging and releasing all animals
located. Five males and two females are already under observa-
tion at the research site in the Motagua Valley. Thanks to the
efforts of Zootropic, C. palearis has been granted protection
under Guatemalan law and animals may no longer be exported
from the country.

Genetics Session
Update on Iguaninae Phylogeography and Phylogenetics

Catherine Stephen
Utah Valley State College

Iguana Phylogeography.—Iguana consists of two species, I. iguana
and I. delicatissima. Whereas I. delicatissima historically has a
very limited range restricted to the Lesser Antilles, I. iguana is
found throughout the Neotropics and the Lesser Antilles. That
I. iguana constitutes a single interbreeding population is highly
unlikely, given the enormous physical distances and barriers to
gene flow. We are using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA
sequence data to explore the phylogeographic history of this
species. Samples included in the preliminary analysis have been
collected from 17 countries. Results from both data sets show a
congruent, deep lineage divergence between the Central
American populations and the South American plus Lesser

Antillean populations of Green Iguana. The topology of the
phylogeny indicates that I. iguana arose on the South American
continent.

Iguaninae Subfamily Phylogenetics.—Iguaninae is an ancient
group with eight modern genera distributed throughout the
Western Hemisphere and in the Fijian Archipelago. Previous
morphological and molecular studies of iguanine relationships
have relied on incomplete sample sets that yield conflicting
topologies. The subfamily collectively spans thousands of miles
across multiple geographical boundaries, and exhibits a high
degree of regional and island endemism. Because of its age and
distribution, the group is uniquely suited to test biogeographic
hypotheses, such as suggested occurrences of past refugia or
relictual fragments, as well as allowing empirical evaluation of
molecular clock models. In order to generate a robust phylogeny,
we have collected DNA sequence data at four loci (two nuclear
and two mitochondrial) for all eight genera, including 28 of the
iguanine species. Phylogenies generated from maximum likeli-
hood analysis of separate data sets result in congruent phyloge-
nies with varying levels of resolution. Preliminary analysis
strongly supports Dipsosaurus as the most basal lineage in the
subfamily followed by an early dispersal of Brachylophus to the
Fijian Archipelago and a subsequent divergence of the Cyclura
lineage. A sister relationship between Sauromalus and Iguana is
supported by the combined analysis, and this clade is sister
group to the rest of the subfamily (Ctenosaura, Amblyrhynchus,
and Conolophus). Interestingly, Ctenosaura defensor falls outside
the Ctenosaura clade in the three data sets in which it is included.

Critically Endangered Guatemalan Black Iguanas (Ctenosaura palearis)
are the only members of the C. melanosterna clade with a distribution
outside Honduras. This species is found exclusively in the semi-arid
Motagua Valley of Guatemala. 

D
A

N
IE

L 
A

R
IA

N
O

Results of genetic studies of Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) show a
congruent, deep lineage divergence between Central American popu-
lations and those from South America plus the Lesser Antilles. Efforts
to conserve these unique genetic lineages are complicated by the wide
and indiscriminate introduction of iguanas outside their natural ranges.
This individual was photographed on Grand Cayman, where the
species does not occur naturally and the origin of the population is
unknown. 

JO
H

N
 B

IN
N

S



Using Coalescent-Based Analyses of 
Multilocus Microsatellite Data to Estimate the Past 
and Recent Population Histories of Three Species 

of Caribbean Rock Iguanas
William Modi,1 Glenn Gerber,1 Charles Knapp,1 Jennie Lau,1

Maggie Reinbold,1 Leona Chemnick,1 Oliver Ryder,1 Peter
Andolfatto,2 and Catherine Stephen3

1Zoological Society of San Diego 
2University of California, San Diego 

3Utah Valley State College
Although the significance of recent anthropogenic activity on the
census sizes of insular populations is relatively easy to determine,
the concomitant impact on genetic diversity is less obvious.
Assessing genetic diversity is important for predicting the future
fitness and long-term survival of endangered species. The genetic
architecture of most species has been molded by population con-
traction and/or expansion following historical climatic changes,
and this tends to obscure the effects of more recent, human-
mediated activity. However, the development of Bayesian com-
putational methods allows for sophisticated statistical modeling
of population histories. Specifically, coalescent simulations can
calculate the likelihood of observed data under the stationary dis-
tribution of a specific demographic model. If the influence of
recent anthropogenic events has been significant enough, it can
be teased apart from earlier paleoclimatic effects. Four events have
potentially influenced iguana populations: last glacial maximum
(15,000 years ago), first humans (4,000 years), arrival of
Europeans (500 years), modern society and domestic animals (50
years). Microsatellite data for Cyclura pinguis (133 individuals, 23
loci) are currently being analyzed. Additionally, 600 DNA sam-
ples are available each for C. cychlura and C. carinata from over
50 islands, and will be genotyped in the near future.

General Reports
A Model for Protecting Island Ecosystems 

Using Integrated Regional Conservation Programs
Brad Keitt

Island Conservation
Introduced mammals are one of the greatest threats to island
ecosystems. This is because most island ecosystems historically
lacked mammalian predators and herbivores and therefore many
islands’ flora and fauna lack defenses necessary to compete
against these invasions. Removing introduced mammals from
islands can protect island ecosystems, and we believe this can be
done effectively by regional island conservation organizations
that integrate: (1) applied research and priority setting; (2) pub-
lic education and policy work; (3) capacity building; (4) conser-
vation action; and (5) monitoring and evaluation.

In northwestern Mexico, we developed such an organiza-
tion to protect the region’s 230+ islands. These islands have 26
species of breeding seabirds and over 210 species and subspecies
of endemic vertebrates. Non-native mammals have been intro-
duced to at least 44 islands and are responsible for the probable
extinction of 21 endemic vertebrate species and subspecies.
Island Conservation, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
México, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, and
the Mexican National Protected Areas Department collaborated
with local people and NGO’s to remove one or more introduced
mammals from 25 islands. This integrated model for the con-
servation of island species is exportable to other parts of the
world. Given that Cyclura iguanas are especially susceptible to
introduced mammals, the development of a program to remove
introduced mammals from Cyclura range islands in the
Caribbean is an important part of their conservation.

252 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Introduced mammals are one of the greatest threats to island ecosystems because most island ecosystems historically lacked mammalian predators
and herbivores and therefore many islands’ flora and fauna lack defenses necessary to compete against these invaders. Illustrated is the Isabela Project
(Galapagos National Park Service/Charles Darwin Foundation). Habitat recovery on Santiago Island, Galapagos: Before goat and pig eradication,
fenced area is goat and pig free (left), after goat and pig eradication (right). Galapagos Land Iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) were extirpated by
introduced mammals after Darwin’s voyage. Iguana reintroduction is now an option given the removal of these threats. 

IS
A

B
EL

A
 P

R
O

JE
C

T 
(G

A
LA

PA
G

O
S 

N
A

TI
O

N
A

L 
PA

R
K

 S
ER

V
IC

E/
C

H
A

R
LE

S 
D

A
R

W
IN

 F
O

U
N

D
A

TI
O

N
)



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2007 2532006 ISG MEETING REPORTS

Does Education Really Help Conservation?
Lessons from Two Cyclura Conservation Programs

Lee Pagni
Zoological Society of San Diego

The question of whether education should play a role in conser-
vation seems rhetorical. In general, conservationists feel that edu-
cation is a key component of conservation activities. This is for-
tunate, because obtaining evidence that education programs
directly result in conservation action is difficult, time-consuming,
and filled with uncertainties. This is not to say that evaluation of
programs is unwarranted. In fact, only through evaluation of edu-
cation programs can we hope to improve their effectiveness.

Since 2000, the Zoological Society of San Diego (ZSSD) has
supported outreach activities related to the conservation of and
research on the Turks and Caicos Iguana (Cyclura carinata). These
activities have taken many forms in order to reach numerous
members of several audience categories. In descending order of
priority, these audience categories are: locals (adults and children),
visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and other adults
and children, including conservation colleagues and ZSSD mem-
bers and visitors. Outreach activities have included writing articles
for local and in-flight magazines, developing education kits for
local 5–8 grade students, posting project information on ZSSD
and other websites, holding capacity building workshops for TCI
colleagues, giving presentations to local and international col-
leagues, creating a series of posters regarding the project, and pro-
ducing informational signs to be posted on offshore islands.

Several types of evaluational tools have been used to help
design and measure the effectiveness of these programs. One
tool, a simple matrix, allows us to see which audiences we are
reaching with which messages using which media. Other evalu-
ation tools have included needs assessments, pre/post testing to
measure changes in knowledge and attitude from programs, and
formative evaluations to help improve materials such as the edu-
cation kits. Although no overall program evaluation has been
conducted, anecdotal evidence has elucidated a couple impor-
tant points: (1) Education programs take time to become effec-
tive. We began to notice a greater awareness of our conservation,
research, and outreach efforts after two to three years. (2)
Utilizing a variety of media helps reach more audience members.
This is not a unique finding. However, this confirms the impor-
tance of promoting a consistent message across various media to
reach the most people.

Significant outreach programs for the Anegada Iguana
(Cyclura pinguis) restoration program began in 2003, concurrent
with the first releases of headstarted iguanas. Since then, the
number of people who know about and are interested in the
program has increased each year. A highly successful example of
the outreach program is the local involvement in the annual
release of headstarted iguanas. In 2003, approximately four peo-
ple from the BVI were involved in the releases. In 2006, this
number grew to over 40 individuals. Although the releases are
an obvious opportunity for holding a public event, the interest
in participation indicates that creating public events around con-
servation activities can help increase awareness and support
among the local community.

Because of the small size of the local population (estimated
between 100–200 people), outreach activities have been less

intense on Anegada than those in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Instead, activities have focused on collaborating with local part-
ners at the BVI National Parks Trust to involve the next gener-
ation of Anegadians (students) and keeping community mem-
bers informed of research activities and conservation goals. The
next stage of outreach activities will attempt to raise countrywide
awareness of the iguanas’ conservation status and situation.

As with the TCI project, no over-arching evaluation of the
outcomes of our education evidence has been conducted.
Anecdotal evidence suggests a greater awareness of the intrica-
cies of the restoration project and support for conservation and
research activities.

I thank all my collaborators at the following institutions
whose efforts continue to improve our outreach activities for the
Anegada Iguana: BVI National Parks Trust, Dallas Zoo, Fort
Worth Zoo, International Reptile Conservation Foundation,
International Iguana Foundation, Virgin Island Network of
Environmental Educators (VINE), and the Zoological Society
of San Diego’s Conservation and Research for Endangered
Species (CRES) and Education Department.

Indianapolis Zoo Reports First Jamaican Iguana Breeding 
in the United States

Richard Reams and Jan Ramer
Indianapolis Zoological Society

The Indianapolis Zoo is pleased to report the hatching of sev-
eral Jamaican Iguanas (Cyclura collei) in late August and early
September 2006. Two separate females produced 35 eggs, of
which 22 hatched. The eggs hatched after approximately 80 days
and were incubated at 86–88 °F. The 22 neonates are currently
doing great and are growing fast. Starting at just 22 g, many now
weigh over 200 g.

Prior to this successful reproduction, only 18 animals were
in North American zoos. This breeding more than doubles the
North American population to 40 iguanas. Most of these genet-
ically valuable animals will be sent to other North American zoos
in the near future. This breeding represents the first captive
breeding of C. collei outside Jamaica.

Twenty-two neonate Jamaican Iguanas (Cyclura collei) hatched at the
Indianapolis Zoo in late August and early September 2006, more than
doubling the North American population to 40 iguanas. 

R
IC

H
A

R
D

 R
EA

M
S




