Habitat use of the endangered iguana Cyclura lewisi in a human-modified landscape on Grand Cayman

Goodman, Rachel M.; Burton, Frederic J.; Echternacht, Arthur C.

doi:10.1017/s1367943005002404

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…More explicitly, this trace fossil is consistent with the size, depth, and internal structure of a nesting burrow made by an iguana, such as those of various species of modern Cyclura native to The Bahamas and the Caribbean [ 21 – 24 , 47 ]. Its facies setting also reflects a proper nesting environment for iguanas, which build nests in terrestrial settings, including near-coastal dunes [ 18 , 19 , 21 – 24 , 47 , 48 ]. We considered alternative explanations for this structure and falsified each based on criteria described herein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We acknowledge that the trace fossil may represent some previously unknown natural phenomenon, but its close resemblance to modern iguana burrows, its same paleoenvironmental setting, geographic co-occurrence with a species of burrow-nesting iguana species, and relatively young geologic age all support our interpretation. Considering that only one species of Cyclura does not make nest burrows [ 3 , 23 , 48 , 86 ], and that San Salvador hosts a modern nest-burrowing species ( C . rileyi rileyi ), we suggest that future researchers compare nest burrows of this and related species in The Bahamas to the San Salvador trace fossil to further test our interpretation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First known trace fossil of a nesting iguana (Pleistocene), The Bahamas

et al. 2020

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Most species of modern iguanas (Iguania, Iguanidae) dig burrows for dwelling and nesting, yet neither type of burrow has been interpreted as trace fossils in the geologic record. Here we describe and diagnose the first known fossil example of an iguana nesting burrow, preserved in the Grotto Beach Formation (Early Late Pleistocene, ~115 kya) on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. The trace fossil, located directly below a protosol, is exposed in a vertical section of a cross-bedded oolitic eolianite. Abundant root traces, a probable land-crab burrow, and lack of ghost-crab burrows further indicate a vegetated inland dune as the paleoenvironmental setting. The trace fossil matches dimensions and overall forms of burrows made by modern iguanas, and internal structures indicate active backfilling consistent with modern iguana nesting burrows. The trace fossil is also located on an island with a modern native species of rock iguana (Cyclura riyeli riyeli), suggesting a presence of iguanas on San Salvador since the Late Pleistocene. This nesting burrow may provide a search image for more fossil iguana burrows in The Bahamas and other places with long-established iguana species and favorable geological conditions for preserving their burrows.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First known trace fossil of a nesting iguana (Pleistocene), The Bahamas

et al. 2020

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“…Despite the shortfalls of the practice of conservation design, in some cases human‐modified habitats are very successful. Endangered iguanas ( Cyclura lewisi ) on Gran Cayman island prefer artificial nests and retreats to natural ones (Goodman et al 2005). Translocated rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) in Spain respond to habitat modifications, including provisioning and artificial warrens manufactured from plastic or constructed from wood (Cabezas & Moreno 2007).…”

Section: Effectiveness Of Existing Conservation Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation by Design

Root‐Bernstein

Ladle

2010

Conservation Biology

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Conservation researchers are increasingly aware of the need to conduct interdisciplinary research and to engage nonscientists in practical applications of conservation biology. But so far, industrial designers have been left out of such collaboration and outreach efforts. Conservation of wildlife often depends on products such as nest boxes, feeders, barriers, and corridors, all of which have a designed component that is frequently overlooked. Furthermore, many products are adopted without testing on short or long time scales. We argue that the design of products for conservation, and hence their functionality, effectiveness, and value, can be improved through collaboration with industrial designers. We see four key benefits that can arise from interactions with industrial designers: improvement of product quality and value, innovation and improvement in functionality of products, harmonization of conservation products with local values, and development of a psychological biomimesis approach to design. The role of industrial designers in conservation projects would be to improve factors such as product durability, affordability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal to local people. Designers can also help to create multiple product options whose success can be tested in the field. We propose that collaborations with industrial designers can contribute to the development of improvements to existing products and innovations in the practice of animal conservation.

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“…Thus the abundance and movements of animals are likely to reflect differences in availability of food resources. The conservation value of human-modified landscapes may be important for fauna (Goodman et al 2005(Goodman et al , 2008 although extensive modification is likely to change regional food resources as well as the local climatic conditions (Parris and Hazell 2005). It is therefore important to understand the relationship between habitat usage and the availability of food across the landscape including those habitats that have been highly modified (Petit and Petit 2003;Goodman et al 2005;Radford and Bennett 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fruit availability and utilisation by grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus poliocephalus) in a human-modified environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia

2009

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Context. Extensive clearing and modification of habitat is likely to change many facets of the environment including climate and regional food resources. Such changes may result in changes in behaviour in highly mobile fauna, such as flying foxes. Aims.The availability of fruit resources was examined to determine whether grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) have feeding preferences related to habitat or dietary items, and whether human usage of the land around the colony site has affected the resources available. Methods. Fruit availability around a colony was monitored from December 2004 to March 2005. Night surveys and faecal analyses were undertaken to determine the distribution of feeding locations, the food species used and the food items consumed by P. poliocephalus. Key results.The amount of food available per hectare in each habitat was similar. However, we found differences in the composition of food trees and the distribution of food resources within each habitat. Ficus species were a major resource with flying foxes observed feeding in figs during every survey and figs identified in droppings over the whole period. Human-modified habitats were used throughout the study period with flying foxes observed in small patches of vegetation and in individual trees without any nearby vegetation. Conclusions. The need for maintaining vegetation, particularly Ficus species, in all areas where flying foxes are found, especially in human-modified habitats and rainforest remnants, is highlighted as this vegetation is of great importance to flying foxes. Other wildlife, such as birds and possums, may also benefit from the maintenance of this vegetation. Implications. Through management of urban resources there is the potential to prevent future conflict situations arising between humans and wildlife, such as can be seen when flying fox colonies are in close proximity to houses.

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Habitat use of the endangered iguana Cyclura lewisi in a human-modified landscape on Grand Cayman

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

First known trace fossil of a nesting iguana (Pleistocene), The Bahamas

First known trace fossil of a nesting iguana (Pleistocene), The Bahamas

Conservation by Design

Fruit availability and utilisation by grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus poliocephalus) in a human-modified environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia

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