Origin of the green iguana (Iguana iguana) invasion in the greater Caribbean Region and Fiji

Villanueva, Christina N. De Jesús; Falcón, Wilfredo; Vélez‐Zuazo, Ximena; Papa, Riccardo; Malone, Catherine L.

doi:10.1007/s10530-021-02524-5

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Previous studies have highlighted that the trade of melanistic iguanas is likely facilitated through St. Maarten and Barbados to at least seven countries, with St. Maarten being heavily referenced during interviews with several traders [ 27 , 28 ]. Whereas our results suggest that the probable origin of our pet-trade samples is Saba or Montserrat, the mitochondrial haplotypes generated during this study are also present on St. Croix and St. Thomas [ 30 ], iguana populations included within the proposed Iguana melanoderma [ 15 ]. However, all interviewed importing traders and online advertising propose Saba as the native origin of traded melanistic iguanas, with exports from St. Maarten and Barbados.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Mitochondrial ND4 sequences (555 bp in size; GenBank accession OP572228) matched that of the CAR2 haplotype (100%; GenBank accession HM352505). This haplotype is only known to be present in animals native to Saba, Montserrat, and St. Croix and St. Thomas [ 15 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the extensive trade in I. iguana , only a handful of captive pet-trade samples have been analyzed, whereas a larger number of non-native, non-captive iguana samples believed to be released former pet-traded animals, have been used in previous studies [ 29 , 30 ]. Our results strongly suggest the presence of illegal trade in I. iguana through fraudulently acquired CITES permits in the absence of any permits from both islands in the CITES database.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…has been reported from the Central American mainland [ 20 , 26 ] and, recently, from Caribbean islands [ 27 , 28 ]. However, only three pet-trade iguanas have ever been included in genetic studies [ 29 , 30 ], and no study to date has applied forensic genetics to captive iguanas. The Lesser Antilles, in particular, have emerged as a trade hub for iguanas, presumably given the native and non-native diversity found there.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade

Mitchell

Welch

Burg

2022

Animals

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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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade

Mitchell

Welch

Burg

2022

Animals

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“…Large species have been introduced into the islands by local inhabitants because of their value as food sources, for pest control, or even as pets (Uchida, 1969; Villanueva et al., 2021). However, unlike small‐bodied and unisexual species, a large proportion of the species within this group have remained confined to the islands where they were originally introduced (McKeown, 1996; Torres‐Carvajal & Tapia, 2016; Zug, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Success factors of great oceanic dispersers: Case of Squamata in the Pacific Ocean

Escoriza

2022

Journal of Zoology

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The Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world, and it contains many remote archipelagos, some of which are distant more than 4000 km from continents. Despite their isolation, these archipelagos harbour diverse assemblages of squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), and these species differ greatly in their dispersal ranges. This study tested the hypothesis that there is a spatial effect on the variation among species in dispersal ability and that it is also associated with the evolutionary relationships among species and their life-history strategies (body size and reproductive mode). The results indicated greater spatial than phylogenetic effects on the variables describing interspecific dispersal. The unisexual reproduction mode in squamates is not associated with a greater ability to colonize than sexual species that rely on similar mechanisms of dispersal. The higher reproductive rate of unisexual taxa might be initially advantageous for establishment on remote oceanic islands because of the unlikely arrival of sexual congenerics, which are frequently superior competitors in island ecosystems. Body size tends to exert a negative effect on the dispersal capacity of island squamates, but this relationship is positive in a subgroup of recently introduced commensal species.

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A genus-wide analysis of genetic variation to guide population management, hybrid identification, and monitoring of invasions and illegal trade in Iguana (Reptilia: Iguanidae)

Burg

Grandjean

Schikorski³

et al. 2021

Conservation Genet Resour

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Origin of the green iguana (Iguana iguana) invasion in the greater Caribbean Region and Fiji

Cited by 11 publications

References 71 publications

Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade

Forensic Genetic Analyses of Melanistic Iguanas Highlight the Need to Monitor the Iguanid Trade

Success factors of great oceanic dispersers: Case of Squamata in the Pacific Ocean

A genus-wide analysis of genetic variation to guide population management, hybrid identification, and monitoring of invasions and illegal trade in Iguana (Reptilia: Iguanidae)

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