Pounder, Kieran C, Mukhida, F, Brown, RP, Carter, D, Daltry, JC, Fleming, T, Goetz, M, Halsey, LG, Hughes, G, Questel, K et al (show 3 more authors)
(2020)
Testing for hybridisation of the Critically Endangered <i>Iguana delicatissima</i> on Anguilla to inform conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION GENETICS, 21 (3).
pp. 405-420.
Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The Caribbean Island of Anguilla in the north-eastern Lesser Antilles is home to one of the last populations of the Critically Endangered Lesser Antillean iguana<jats:italic>Iguana delicatissima</jats:italic>. This population is highly threatened primarily because of hybridisation with non-native<jats:italic>Iguana iguana</jats:italic>. This study assesses the degree of hybridisation between Anguilla’s<jats:italic>Iguana</jats:italic>species firstly using morphological characteristics and then genetic analysis to validate the genetic integrity of morphologically identified<jats:italic>I. delicatissima</jats:italic>. We also examined the genetic diversity of Anguilla’s<jats:italic>I. delicatissima</jats:italic>population, and that of a population on the nearby island of Îlet Fourchue, St Barthélemy. Forty-five iguanas were captured in Anguilla and 10 in St Barthélemy, and sequences from 3 nuclear and 1 mtDNA genes were obtained for each. Of the 45 iguanas captured in Anguilla, 22 were morphologically identified as<jats:italic>I. delicatissima</jats:italic>, 12 as<jats:italic>I. iguana</jats:italic>and the remainder were identified as hybrids. Morphological assignments were all confirmed by genetic analyses except for one<jats:italic>I. iguana</jats:italic>and one hybrid individual. These two individuals appeared likely to have originated following ancestral hybridisation events several generations ago. A significant paucity of genetic diversity was found within Anguillan and St Barthélemy<jats:italic>I. delicatissima</jats:italic>populations, with a single haplotype being identified for each of the three nuclear genes and the mtDNA sequence. This study highlights the urgency for immediate action to conserve Anguilla’s remnant<jats:italic>I. delicatissima</jats:italic>population. Protection from hybridisation will require translocation to<jats:italic>I. iguana</jats:italic>-free offshore cays, with supplementary individuals being sourced from neighbouring islands to enhance the genetic diversity of the population.</jats:p>
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Critically Endangered, DNA analysis, Lesser Antilles, Iguana delicatissima, Translocation |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Mar 2020 15:22 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Oct 2023 17:06 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10592-020-01258-6 |
| Open Access URL: | https://rdcu.be/b14i6 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3077783 |
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