Title: An Isotopic Study of Diet and Muscles of the Green Iguana (Iguana
iguana) in Puerto Rico
Author(s): Govender, Y; Munoz, MC; Camejo, LAR; Puente-Rolon, AR; Cuevas, E; Sternberg, L
Source: JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY Volume: 46 Issue: 2 Pages: 167-170 Published: JUN 2012
Abstract: In Puerto Rico, the number of nonnative Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, has increased and the species has proliferated throughout the island….The gut contents consisted primarily of black mangrove leaves (Avicennia germinans), suggesting a higher impact of herbivory on this species of mangrove. Another plant species of interest found in the gut was Brazilian pepper, Schinus terebinthifolius. We suspect that I. iguana may be a disperser of this aggressive invasive plant in Puerto Rico. Our study indicates that I. iguana impacts the native flora and fauna in Puerto Rico, and that the ecological role of this species in introduced ranges warrants further investigation.
Author(s): Govender, Y; Munoz, MC; Camejo, LAR; Puente-Rolon, AR; Cuevas, E; Sternberg, L
Source: JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY Volume: 46 Issue: 2 Pages: 167-170 Published: JUN 2012
Abstract: In Puerto Rico, the number of nonnative Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, has increased and the species has proliferated throughout the island….The gut contents consisted primarily of black mangrove leaves (Avicennia germinans), suggesting a higher impact of herbivory on this species of mangrove. Another plant species of interest found in the gut was Brazilian pepper, Schinus terebinthifolius. We suspect that I. iguana may be a disperser of this aggressive invasive plant in Puerto Rico. Our study indicates that I. iguana impacts the native flora and fauna in Puerto Rico, and that the ecological role of this species in introduced ranges warrants further investigation.
