Body Size and Timing of Reproduction in the Highly Endangered Stout Iguana,<i>Cyclura pinguis</i>, in the British Virgin Islands

Perry, Gad; Lazell, James; LeVering, Kate; Mitchell, Numi

doi:10.18475/cjos.v43i1.a1

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Trees used by adults (DBH 40 ± 18 cm) were larger than those used by juveniles (11 ± 3 cm), but small samples (only two adults used trees) precluded statistical analysis. However, the difference in body size and mass of juveniles (approximately 60 g) and adults (typically 1-6 kg; Perry et al 2007) could preclude adults from using small trees or traveling in the canopy as juveniles commonly do.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical structure use by the Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, BVI

Cheek

Hlavaty

Mougey

et al. 2013

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The Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) is a critically endangered species endemic to the Puerto Rico Bank and currently restricted to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Our study on Guana Island, BVI, focused on vertical structure use by adult (n = 4) and juvenile (n = 11) iguanas with tracking bobbins. We recorded structure types used, heights attained on structures, distances between structures, and structure sizes. We found that Stout Iguanas used vertical structure more than previously documented. Trees comprised a significantly greater (P < 0.001) proportion of structures used by juveniles than by adults, whereas rocks comprised the greatest proportion of structures used by adults. In addition to differential structure use, juveniles climbed significantly higher (2.4 vs. 0.9 m on average; P < 0.001) than adults. We found no difference in the diameter or distance between structures used by adults and juveniles. Our results suggest that vertical structure use may be an important habitat element for free-ranging juvenile Stout Iguanas. Habitat management that provides vertical structure may be advantageous for the conservation of this species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical structure use by the Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, BVI

Cheek

Hlavaty

Mougey

et al. 2013

RandA

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2012

Cyclura

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Good alimentation can overcome the negative effects of climate change on growth in reptiles

Rueda-Zozaya

Plasman

Reynoso

2021

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

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Climate change may lead to higher nest temperatures, which may increase embryo development rate but reduce hatchling size and growth. Larger body size permits better performance, making growth an important fitness trait. In ectotherms, growth is affected by temperature and food quality. To segregate the effects of incubation temperature vs. alimentation on the growth of the Mexican black spiny-tailed iguana, Ctenosaura pectinata, we incubated eggs at 29 or 32 °C, and hatchlings were kept at 30 °C and fed either high- or low-quality food for 1 year, with body size and mass being recorded every 2 weeks. Iguanas incubated at 29 °C grew faster than those incubated at 32 °C. However, food quality had a larger effect on growth than incubation temperature; iguanas fed with high-quality food reached larger body sizes. Growth models suggested that differences in growth between incubation temperatures and food types remain throughout their lives. We found that incubation temperature had long-lasting effects on an ectotherm, and higher incubation temperatures might lead to reduced growth and maturation at a later age. However, food might transcend the effect of increased incubation temperature; therefore, good alimentation might mitigate effects of climate change on growth.

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Body Size and Timing of Reproduction in the Highly Endangered Stout Iguana,Cyclura pinguis, in the British Virgin Islands

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Vertical structure use by the Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, BVI

Vertical structure use by the Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, BVI

Bibliography

Good alimentation can overcome the negative effects of climate change on growth in reptiles

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