Ecological and molecular investigations of Hispaniola’s endemic iguanas, Cyclura cornuta and C. ricordii Due to their isolation, islands are hotspots for evolution, spawning many more species than continental areas of equivalent size. Although islands represent only 5% of the global land area, they contain approximately 20% of the world’s biodiversity. However, in addition to being more diverse than their mainland counterparts, island species are also more vulnerable to extinction. Of over 700 documented extinctions in the past 400 years about half were on islands. Therefore, conserving island species and ecosystems is vital to preserving global biodiversity. Caribbean islands are particularly diverse in reptiles, with more than 500 described species of which 94% are endemic. Iguanas represent a small fraction of Caribbean reptile species but are among the largest and most endangered, making them excellent flagship species for conservation. Of thirteen recognized Caribbean iguana species, five are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Ecological and molecular investigations of Hispaniola’s endemic iguanas, Cyclura cornuta and C. ricordii

Due to their isolation, islands are hotspots for evolution, spawning many more species than continental areas of equivalent size. Although islands represent only 5% of the global land area, they contain approximately 20% of the world’s biodiversity. However, in addition to being more diverse than their mainland counterparts, island species are also more vulnerable to extinction. Of over 700 documented extinctions in the past 400 years about half were on islands. Therefore, conserving island species and ecosystems is vital to preserving global biodiversity. Caribbean islands are particularly diverse in reptiles, with more than 500 described species of which 94% are endemic. Iguanas represent a small fraction of Caribbean reptile species but are among the largest and most endangered, making them excellent flagship species for conservation. Of thirteen recognized Caribbean iguana species, five are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

In addition to their threatened status and large body size, Caribbean iguanas are ecologically important. They eat the leaves, flowers, and fruits of hundreds of native plant species, and thus aid the dispersal and germination of seeds on most islands where they occur. Consequently, Caribbean iguanas help maintain and perpetuate native plant communities such as tropical dry-forests, which are among the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. Hispaniola is home to two large charismatic iguanas, Ricord’s Iguana (Cyclura ricordii) and the Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta). These iguanas are found nowhere else in the world and are highly threatened by habitat destruction, hunting and invasive species. Both iguanas are listed on the IUCN Redlist as threatened and both are locally protected, however hunting and habitat destruction persist. To help conserve these species we have joined forces with local organizations to help raise awareness and conduct rigorous scientific studies.

Specifically we join ecological and genetic techniques with outreach and education in an effort to elucidate the requirements necessary for conserving the target species and creating a holistic management strategy. Molecular data allow us to understand the threats of fragmentation and sources of variation. Ecologically, we identify key reproductive and environmental characteristics that are required to ensure the preservation of the target species. Education and outreach activities allow us to involve the local community such our conservation strategies may sustainable and supported by the people who depend on the environment.