A selection of recently completed projects and ongoing research

Conservation genetics and the Ctenosaura palearis complex

This was the focus of my dissertation

There is currently a lack of information concerning all aspects of the C. palearis complex. In order aid in the protection of these unique and endangered species, I am working on a multi-scale molecular evaluation of this complex. I am concentrating on the taxonomic status of these populations and the current threats that they face. There are four main components to my dissertation:

1. 1) To evaluate the species boundaries and define new boundaries if needed within the Ctenosaura palearis clade
   

2. 2) To evaluate the degree and direction of introgression between the island endemic Ctenosaura bakeri and a wide ranging congener C. similis
   

3. 3) To date the colonization events of C. bakeri, C. oedirhina, C. similis, and C. melanosterna to the Bay Islands and Cayos Cochinos.
   

4. 4) To create a thorough management strategy for C. melanosterna, based on genetic, ecological and behavioral data (I am focusing on the genetic portion of this work; many collaborators are involved in other aspects)

Geographic distribution of Ctenosaura melanosterna in the Valle de Aguan, Honduras

In 2004 Ctenosaura melanosterna, the Honduran paleate spiny-tailed iguana, was listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List Assessment due to a limited geographic range, habitat destruction, and over-exploitation for the international pet trade. There is currently a lack of information concerning all aspects of this species’ biology including knowledge of its actual range in the Valle de Aguan. A list of research objectives that need to be met in order to conserve this species was developed at the 2008 ISG meeting on Utila, Honduras. The proposed study, focusing on the distribution of C. melanosterna, was given the highest priority on this list. Our objectives are to: 1) create a potential distribution map targeting areas that need to be evaluated for occurrence; 2) evaluate all potential areas of occurrence; 3) collect natural history data on all populations found; 4) create an actual distribution map; and 5) make projections about the future distribution of C. melanosterna in the Valle de Aguan. The primary result of this study will be thorough knowledge of the distribution of C. melanosterna within the Valle de Aguan, Honduras, and the ability to understand what may happen over the next few decades as characteristics of the range, such as human development and agricultural initiatives, change. This information will allow for the development of a realistic management strategy for the protection of this Critically Endangered species, and will set the stage for subsequent studies of population size, population structure, individual movement, survivorship, and age class structure within this population.

Collaborators: Edoardo Pineda, Daniel Ariano, Jeffery Corniel

Genetic relationships between Norops roatanensis and Norops bicaorum

The anolis fauna occurring within Honduras is extremely diverse. Many distinct species of Norops can be found throughout all of Honduras including the Bay Islands. A recent study of the herpetofauna of Honduras documented the presence of two new species of Norops. One species, N. bicaorum, was described as endemic to Utila and another, N. roatanensis was described as endemic to Roatan. N. roatanensis is very similar to N. bicaorum with the only few documented morphological difference. Among these are the color of the dewlap (N. roatanensis has pink-red dewlap with dark regions in the center and N. bicaorum has a orange-red dewlap with dark regions in the center) and the average adult snout-vent length. There is currently a lack of molecular work on the genus Norops. Thus the goal of this project is to increase the existing information about this group through understanding the relationships within this group and verifying that the morphological results from previous studies agree with molecular data.

Collaborators: Romina Dimarco, Dennis Baulechner

Genetic structure of the Turk’s and Caicos Rock Iguana, Cyclura carinata

Collaborators: Glenn Gerber, Catherine Stephen, Mark Welsh, Allison Alberts, John Iverson et al.

photos from G. Reynolds

Long term monitoring of Cyclura cychlura inornata (PI: Dr. John Iverson)

John Iverson was my advisor in undergraduate. I began helping out with this project my freshman year of undergrad. and have continued every year since then. photos by K. Hines and L. Pieper

Long term monitoring of Cyclura rileyi on Bush Hill Cay (PI: Dr. John Iverson)

photos by K. Hines