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Alvarado R, Alvarado EV, López LI, Umaña D, Mora JM. Predation of a Juvenile Iguana rhinolopha (Squamata: Iguanidae) by Basiliscus plumifrons (Squamata: Corytophanidae) in the Costa Rican Rainforest. CARIBB J SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.18475/cjos.v52i2.a7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Randy Alvarado
- Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7322-7797
| | - Elián Villalobos Alvarado
- Carrera de Gestión Ecoturística, Sede Central Universidad Técnica Nacional, Alajuela, Costa Rica; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5417-9275
| | - Lucia I. López
- Unidad de Ciencias Básicas y Carrera de Tecnología de Alimentos, Sede Atenas, Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0120-7981
| | - Dinia Umaña
- Oropendula Expeditions, Chilamate de Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0935-6957
| | - José Manuel Mora
- Carrera de Gestión Ecoturística, Sede Central Universidad Técnica Nacional, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Mitchell B, Welch ME, van den Burg MP. Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192660. [PMID: 36230401 PMCID: PMC9559298 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The illegal pet trade remains an ongoing, substantial threat to wild populations, especially small insular populations, and can even lead to extinction. Fraudulent activity within the global reptile trade is known to occur, but its identification through forensic applications depends on knowledge of diversity within wild populations. In this study, we assessed the geographic origin of melanistic iguanas (Iguana iguana), which are only found in nations that have never authorized legal export of live animals. Analysis of genetic data from two pet iguanas in the USA flag these as originating from Saba or Montserrat, from which no export permits have ever been issued, confirming their illegal origin. Despite the international trade in I. iguana, in which tens- if not hundreds of thousands of specimens are traded each year, only a handful of individuals have been genetically assessed. Our work highlights the utility of applying forensic genetic techniques to this trade in order to track and discourage illegal activity. Abstract Lizards within the Iguana iguana species complex are among the most common reptilian pets, with the widest natural geographic range among iguanids. Deep phylogenetic divergence distinguishes multiple mitochondrial clades, and several taxonomic changes have recently been proposed. These small populations, typically island endemics, are threatened by numerous factors, including the international pet trade. Recent investigations reveal the absence of required CITES permits for lawful export of animals, providing evidence of ongoing illegal trade. Additional monitoring of trade in iguanas can be achieved through the application of forensic molecular techniques. In this study, two captive melanistic iguanas were genotyped for molecular markers for which geographic distributions of alleles have been established. Mitochondrial sequencing indicates that both animals carry a haplotype known to originate from the islands of Saba and Montserrat, populations taxonomically proposed to be Iguana melanoderma. Genotypes at 15 microsatellite loci are equally consistent with this origin, given the results of a principal component analysis. This first forensic genetic assessment within the extensive I. iguana pet trade highlights the presence of illegal activity. The need for additional forensic assessments of pet-trade iguanas is evident, especially given that their value is driven by variety and rarity, which is further intensified by recent taxonomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaklie Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Mark E. Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
- IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - Matthijs P. van den Burg
- IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- BioCoRe S. Coop., Calle Villagarcía 6, 28010 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Urgent International Action Needed to Tackle Illegal Pet Trade in Caribbean Iguana Populations. CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/conservation2020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lizards in the Neotropical genus Iguana are heavily traded for the international pet trade, with unusual colour morphs and rare species commanding high prices. Recent research aimed to understand the taxonomy and phenotypic variation of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles, with those populations now severely threatened by this trade. Although the entire Iguana genus has been on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II since 1977, current levels of trade regulation are proving to be inadequate for the Caribbean Iguana populations, which are declining. This paper presents the case for immediately halting regional commercial trade to safeguard the most vulnerable island populations. We further provide recommendations for trade regulations of other species complexes where the nomenclature used in legislation and the trade industry fall temporarily out of step with new taxonomic changes.
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Breuil M, Schikorski D, Vuillaume B, Krauss U, Daltry JC, Gaymes G, Gaymes J, Lepais O, Bech N, Jelić M, Becking T, Grandjean F. Iguanainsularis (Iguanidae) from the southern Lesser Antilles: An endemic lineage endangered by hybridization. Zookeys 2022; 1086:137-161. [PMID: 35221747 PMCID: PMC8873182 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1086.76079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The newly described horned iguanaIguanainsularis from the southern Lesser Antilles is separated in two easily recognized subspecies: I.insularissanctaluciae from St. Lucia and I.insularisinsularis from the Grenadines. Its former description is completed by the use of 38 new samples for genetic and morphological analysis. Seventeen microsatellites were used to estimate genetic diversity, population structure and the level of introgression with other Iguana species over nearly the whole range of the species. ND4 and PAC sequences were also used to better characterize hybridization and to complete the description of this lineage. The I.insularis population of St. Vincent shows a high level of introgression from I.iguana whereas in the Grenadines, most islands present pure insularis populations but several show evidence of introgressions. Of the two remaining populations of I.insularissanctaluciae, only one is still purebred. The recent identification of this and other distinct insular species and subspecies in the eastern Caribbean, and evaluation of where hybridization has occurred, are timely and important because the native iguanas are in urgent need of conservation action. Among the greatest threats is the ongoing human-mediated spread of invasive iguanas from Central and South America, which are destroying the endemic insular lineages through multiple diachronic introgression events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Breuil
- Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Laboratoire des Reptiles et Amphibiens, Bâtiment 30, 57, rue Cuvier, CP n° 30, 75231 Paris cedex 05, FranceMuséum national d’Histoire naturelleParisFrance
| | - David Schikorski
- Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe, 4 rue Théodore Botrel, 22600 Loudéac, FranceLaboratoire Labofarm-GenindexeLoudéacFrance
| | - Barbara Vuillaume
- Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe, 4 rue Théodore Botrel, 22600 Loudéac, FranceLaboratoire Labofarm-GenindexeLoudéacFrance
| | - Ulrike Krauss
- Maison du Soleil, Dauphin Road, La Borne, PO Box GM 1109, Saint Lucia, West IndiesUnaffiliatedLa BorneSaint Lucia
| | - Jennifer C. Daltry
- Fauna & Flora International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UKFauna & Flora InternationalCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Re:wild, PO Box 129, Austin, TX 78767, USARe:wildAustinUnited States of America
| | - Glenroy Gaymes
- Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education, Kingstown, St Vincent & the GrenadinesScience Initiative for Environmental Conservation and EducationKingstownSaint Vincent and The Grenadines
| | - Joanne Gaymes
- Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education, Kingstown, St Vincent & the GrenadinesScience Initiative for Environmental Conservation and EducationKingstownSaint Vincent and The Grenadines
| | - Olivier Lepais
- INRAE, Univ. Bordeaux, BIOGECO, 69 route d’Arcachon, 33612 Cestas Cedex, FranceUniv. BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | - Nicolas Bech
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpin, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, FranceUniversité de PoitiersPoitiersFrance
| | - Mišel Jelić
- Department of Natural Sciences, Varaždin City Museum, Šetalište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 3, 42000 Varaždin, CroatiaVaraždin City MuseumVaraždinCroatia
| | - Thomas Becking
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpin, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, FranceUniversité de PoitiersPoitiersFrance
| | - Frédéric Grandjean
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpin, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, FranceUniversité de PoitiersPoitiersFrance
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Sikorski AV, Radashevsky VI, Castelli A, Pavlova LV, Nygren A, Malyar VV, Borisova PB, Mikac B, Rousou M, Martin D, Gil J, Pacciardi L, Langeneck J. Revision of the Laonice bahusiensis complex (Annelida: Spionidae) with a description of three new species. Zootaxa 2021; 4996:253-283. [PMID: 34810532 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4996.2.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The morphological reexamination of specimens previously identified as Laonice bahusiensis Sderstrm, 1920 from North European and Mediterranean collections, supported by the molecular analysis of freshly collected material, enabled the recognition of four different species in the region: the genuine L. bahusiensis, L. irinae n. sp. from North European waters, and L. grimaldii n. sp. and L. mediterranea n. sp. from the Mediterranean Sea. The morphology of these species is described and illustrated, and their distributions are clarified based on old and new materials. A key for their identification is also provided. The Bayesian analysis of the COI sequences (483 bp) showed that these four species form a clade, namely the L. bahusiensis species complex, morphologically characterized by the continuous dorsal crests on postbranchiate chaetigers in the adults. The genetic p-distances between the species of the complex ranged from 13.27% to 17.99%, while the intraspecific variability ranged from 0.6% to 1.57%. Together with the sister species Laonice cirrata (Sars, 1851), the L. bahusiensis complex formed the Laonice (Laonice) clade, which is morphologically characterized by the prostomium fused with the anterior peristomial margin. However, the monophyly of the L. bahusiensis complex, as well as that of the clade Laonice (Laonice), needs to be further supported through the analysis of a greater set of genes from a larger number of species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasily I Radashevsky
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevsky Street, Vladivostok 690041, Russia. .
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universit di Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy. .
| | - Lyudmila V Pavlova
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Vladimirskaya Street, Murmansk 183010, Russia. .
| | - Arne Nygren
- Sjfartsmuseet Akvariet, Karl Johansgatan 1-3, 414 59 Gteborg, Sverige. .
| | - Vasily V Malyar
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevsky Street, Vladivostok 690041, Russia. (ii) Laboratory of ecology and evolutionary biology of aquatic organisms (LEEBAO), School of Natural Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok 690091, Russia. .
| | - Polina B Borisova
- P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 36 Nakhimovsky Prospekt, Moscow 117997, Russia. .
| | - Barbara Mikac
- University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Via SantAlberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy. .
| | - Maria Rousou
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, P.O. Box 28548, 2080, Nicosia, Cyprus. (ii) Marine and Environmental Research Lab Ltd, 4533, Limassol Cyprus. (iii) School of Biology, Department of Zoology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), P.O. Box 134, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece. .
| | - Daniel Martin
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEABCSIC), carrer daccs a la Cala St. Francesc, 14, BlanesGirona17300, Catalunya (Spain). .
| | - Joo Gil
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. .
| | - Lorenzo Pacciardi
- Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina e Ecologia Applicata G. Bacci (CIBM), Viale N. Sauro, 4 57128 Livorno, Italy. .
| | - Joachim Langeneck
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universit di Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy. .
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van den Burg MP, Grandjean F, Schikorski D, Breuil M, Malone CL. A genus-wide analysis of genetic variation to guide population management, hybrid identification, and monitoring of invasions and illegal trade in Iguana (Reptilia: Iguanidae). CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-021-01216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Origin of the green iguana (Iguana iguana) invasion in the greater Caribbean Region and Fiji. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02524-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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van den Burg MP, Weissgold BJ. Illegal trade of morphologically distinct populations prior to taxonomic assessment and elevation, with recommendations for future prevention. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Breuil M, Schikorski D, Vuillaume B, Krauss U, Morton MN, Corry E, Bech N, Jelić M, Grandjean F. Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles). Zookeys 2020; 926:95-131. [PMID: 32336922 PMCID: PMC7170970 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.926.48679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguanaIguana delicatissima, which is endemic to the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles, the introduced common iguana from South America, Iguana iguana iguana, represented also by the two newly described endemic subspecies Iguana iguana sanctaluciae from Saint Lucia and Iguana iguana insularis from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, and the introduced Iguana rhinolopha from Central America. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes the Iguana populations from Saba and Montserrat as a new species, Iguana melanoderma. This species is recognized on the basis of the following combination of characteristics: private microsatellite alleles, unique mitochondrial ND4 haplotypes, a distinctive black spot between the eye and tympanum, a dorsal carpet pattern on juveniles and young adults, a darkening of body coloration with aging (except for the anterior part of the snout), a black dewlap, pink on the jowl, the high number of large tubercular nape scales, fewer than ten medium sized-triangular dewlap spikes, high dorsal spikes, and lack of horns on the snout. This new melanistic taxon is threatened by unsustainable harvesting (including for the pet trade) and both competition and hybridization from escaped or released invasive alien iguanas (I. iguana iguana and I. rhinolopha) from South and Central America, respectively. The authors call for action to conserve Iguana melanoderma in Saba and Montserrat and for further research to investigate its relationship to other melanistic iguanas from the Virgin Islands and coastal islands of Venezuela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Breuil
- Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Laboratoire des Reptiles et Amphibiens, Bâtiment 30, 57, rue Cuvier, CP n° 30, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle Paris France
| | - David Schikorski
- Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe, 4 rue Théodore Botrel, 22600 Loudéac, France Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe Loudéac France
| | - Barbara Vuillaume
- Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe, 4 rue Théodore Botrel, 22600 Loudéac, France Laboratoire Labofarm-Genindexe Loudéac France
| | - Ulrike Krauss
- Maison du Soleil, Dauphin Road, La Borne, P O Box GM 1109, Saint Lucia Unaffliated Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
| | - Matthew N Morton
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, UK Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Trinity United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Corry
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, UK Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Trinity United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Bech
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, UMR CNRS 6556, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpin, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France Université de Poitiers Poitiers France
| | - Mišel Jelić
- Entomological Department, Varaždin City Museum, Šetalište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 3, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia Varaždin City Museum Varaždin Croatia
| | - Frédéric Grandjean
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, UMR CNRS 6556, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpin, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France Université de Poitiers Poitiers France
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Pounder KC, Mukhida F, Brown RP, Carter D, Daltry JC, Fleming T, Goetz M, Halsey LG, Hughes G, Questel K, Saccheri IJ, Williams R, Soanes LM. Testing for hybridisation of the Critically Endangered Iguana delicatissima on Anguilla to inform conservation efforts. CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe Caribbean Island of Anguilla in the north-eastern Lesser Antilles is home to one of the last populations of the Critically Endangered Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima. This population is highly threatened primarily because of hybridisation with non-native Iguana iguana. This study assesses the degree of hybridisation between Anguilla’s Iguana species firstly using morphological characteristics and then genetic analysis to validate the genetic integrity of morphologically identified I. delicatissima. We also examined the genetic diversity of Anguilla’s I. delicatissima population, and that of a population on the nearby island of Îlet Fourchue, St Barthélemy. Forty-five iguanas were captured in Anguilla and 10 in St Barthélemy, and sequences from 3 nuclear and 1 mtDNA genes were obtained for each. Of the 45 iguanas captured in Anguilla, 22 were morphologically identified as I. delicatissima, 12 as I. iguana and the remainder were identified as hybrids. Morphological assignments were all confirmed by genetic analyses except for one I. iguana and one hybrid individual. These two individuals appeared likely to have originated following ancestral hybridisation events several generations ago. A significant paucity of genetic diversity was found within Anguillan and St Barthélemy I. delicatissima populations, with a single haplotype being identified for each of the three nuclear genes and the mtDNA sequence. This study highlights the urgency for immediate action to conserve Anguilla’s remnant I. delicatissima population. Protection from hybridisation will require translocation to I. iguana-free offshore cays, with supplementary individuals being sourced from neighbouring islands to enhance the genetic diversity of the population.
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