Central repository for biodiversity related research and monitoring data from the Dutch Caribbean
Locations (lat/lon) of sightings of Iguana recorded in:
No dates or effort (survey time) is recorded.
The orange bellied racer, Alsophis rufiventris (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), is one of four Alsophis species endemic to the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. Historically, it was found on St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Kitts and Nevis but was extirpated from St. Kitts and Nevis during the 1900s, so that it is now confined to the Dutch Caribbean (Sajdak & Henderson, 1991; Savit et al., 2005). Thus, only two populations exist with a combined range of just 34 km2, which is 10.9% of the known historical range (Sajdak & Henderson, 1991; Savit et al., 2005; Daltry & Powell, 2016). Despite being the most geographically widespread colubrid genus in the West Indies, little is known about the ecology of most Alsophis species (Savis et al., 2005; Daltry & Powell, 2016). Here, we provide new dietary and natural history information that was collected during a field study of A. rufiventris on St. Eustatius from September 2016 to February 2017, as well as other ad hoc observations.
The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with non-native Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana). Iguanadelicatissima has been extirpated on several islands, and the Green Iguana has invaded most islands with extant populations. Information is essential to protect this species from extinction. We collected data on 293 iguanas including 17 juveniles from St. Eustasius, one of the few remaining I. delicatissima strongholds. Genetic data was leveraged to test for hybridization presence with the Green Iguana using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, including 16 microsatellite loci. The microsatellites were also analysed to estimate genetic diversity, population structure and effective population size. Using molecular and morphological data we identified 286 I. delicatissima individuals captured during our first fieldwork effort, and seven non-native iguanas captured during a second effort, showing hybridization occurs within this population. Comparing homologous microsatellites used in studies on Dominica and Chancel, the I. delicatissima population on St. Eustatius has extremely low genetic diversity (HO=0.051; HE=0.057), suggesting this population is genetically depauperate. Furthermore, there is significant evidence for inbreeding (FIS=0.12) and weak spatial genetic structure (FST=0.021, p=0.002) within this population. Besides immediate threats including hybridization, this population's low genetic diversity, presence of physiological abnormalities and low recruitment could indicate presence of inbreeding depression that threatens its long-term survival. We conclude there is a continued region-wide threat to I. delicatissima and highlight the need for immediate conservation action to stop the continuing spread of Green Iguanas and to eliminate hybridization from St. Eustatius.
The Lesser Antillean island of St. Eustatius harbors two native anole species, the large Panther or Statia Bank and the smaller Schwartz’s or Saint Kitts Bank Bush Anole (A. schwartzi; max. SVL 53 mm). No exotic anoles had been reported for the island until a stray individual of the lizards Saba Anole (Anolis sabanus) was discovered in the harbor of Oranjestad, St. Eustatius in April 2016, marking the first recorded introduction of the species.
