West Indian iguana Cyclura spp. reintroduction and recovery programmes: zoo support and involvement.

International Zoo Yearbook 49: 49-55.

Abstract:

Many West Indian rock iguanas Cyclura spp comprise small restricted island populations that are threatened by habitat conversion and degradation, free-ranging domestic animals and invasive species. In the 1980s, concerted conservation efforts were initiated for Caribbean iguanas, using a combination of captive-breeding programmes and head-starting of wild-collected hatchlings for reintroduction, and habitat protection. Zoological facilities have been involved in the conservation efforts from the start, providing expertise, resources and extensive funding for various aspects of the conservation programmes, and by providing space to house ex situ groups of iguanas as assurance populations. Health assessments of wild and captive iguanas, and databases related to the biology and health of the species have benefited not only the wild populations but also those being bred and maintained in captivity. Data compilation and analysis through the use of population-management software have made it possible to manage the genetic diversity of the individuals being captive bred for release. The involvement of zoological facilities has been fundamental to the efforts that have gone into bringing the Grand Cayman blue iguana Cyclura lewisi and the Jamaican iguana Cyclura collei back from the brink of extinction. A review of the conservation efforts for West Indian iguanas, including the role played by zoos, is presented.

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Beobachtungen zur Hybridisierung zwischen Ctenosaura similis (Gray, 1831) und Ctenosaura bakeri Stejneger 1901 auf Utila, Honduras. 

Elaphe N.F. 15: 55-59.

Zusammenfassung:

Die honduranische Karibikinsel Utila ist der einzige bekannte Ort der Welt, an dem drei Großleguanarten vorkommen. Währenddem Iguana iguana rhinolopha primär die Feuchtwälder bewohnt und Ctenosaura bakeri exklusiv die schattigen Mangrovensümpfe besiedelt, bevorzugt Ctenosaura similis semiaride bis aride Lebensdräume mit starker Sonneneinstrahlung. Trotz dieser ökologischen Trennung wurde bereits in der Vergangenheit von fertilen Hybriden zwischen C. similis und C. bakeri berichtet. Neben der Beschreibung eines möglichen Hybridgürtels mit beonbachteten potenziellen Bastarden, wird die ökologische Anpassungs- und Ausbreitungsfähigkeit von C. similis aufgezeigt.

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American Crocodile - Crocodylus acutus.

In: Crocodiles.Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 46-52.
Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin

Aus dem Inhalt:

The American crocodile is the most widely distributed of the New World crocodiles, ranging from the southern tip of Florida, along both the Atlantic and Pacifi c coasts of southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, as well
as the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. The habitat of C.  acutus consists largely of brackish water coastal habitats such as the saltwater sections of rivers, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps. However, populations are
known from freshwater areas located well inland, including a number of reservoirs. A signifi cant population is known from Lago Enriquillo, a landlocked hypersaline lake situated 40 m below sea level in the arid southwestern Dominican Republic.

Cuban Crocodile - Crocodylus rhombifer.

In: Crocodiles.Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 114-118.
Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin.

Aus dem Inhalt:

The Cuban crocodile has the smallest known distribution of any extant crocodilian, and is currently restricted to Zapata Swamp  (mainland  Cuba) and Lanier Swamp (Isla de la Juventud). In the recent past the species was more widely distributed on the main island of Cuba. Skeletal material shows that this species was present on the Cayman Islands. The Cuban crocodile population of Zapata Swamp is restricted to a small area of approximately 300 km², on the southwestern portion of the peninsula, where the species is sympatric with the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Lanier Swamp is a small wetland of approximately 100 km², situated on a west-east axis, across the central portion of Isla de la Juventud. Several hundred C. rhombifer have been released in Lanier Swamp since 1994, as part of an ongoing restocking program.

Case report 7 - Montserrat mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax): Breeding, reintroduction and other conservation measures.

In: DOLLINGER, P. ed. (2007) Amphibien brauchen unsere Hilfe. Verhandlungsbericht des Amphiobienkurses gemeinsam organisiert mit den Zooverbänden im deutschsprachigen Raum. Chemnitz, 27.-30. Juni 2007. WAZA, Bern: S. 118.

Zusammenfassung der Powerpoint-Präsentation:

The mountain chicken is one of the most threatened amphibians in the world. Its range historically included up to seven, Eastern Caribbean islands but the species is now confined to the islands of Dominica and Montserrat. A combination of hunting, introduced predators and habitat loss was thought to have caused the extirpation of the species from the islands of Guadeloupe, St Kitts and Martinique around 500 years ago.

The wild populations on Montserrat were severely affected when the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted after a 350-year period of dormancy in 1995 and destroyed a significant part of its range. The species distribution on Montserrat has fallen to less than 17km2 and the increasingly toxic, acidified environment may have reduced juvenile survivorship and reproduction. The current status of the Montserrat population is unknown after renewed volcanic eruptions on 13th July 2003 covered the island in a thick layer of ash.  Lately, 2005 and 2006 severe impact of the volcano affected the island again.

Chytrid fungus has been found on the populations of Mountain chickens in Dominica.  Although no cases of chytrid disease have been reported in Montserrat, this island may also be at risk.  If Montserrat is unaffected, frog populations on the island may be the last hope for the survival of the species. 

In collaboration with the Government of Montserrat, Durrell Wildlife has initiated captive breeding of the species, and has also undertaken fieldwork to understand the animal in the wild.

We investigated the presence of disease on mountain chickens and the sympatric species within the Centre Hills in Montserrat. No chytrid or exposure to ranavirus was detected.  We draw tentative conclusions about disease threats to the Montserrat mountain chicken population, and present preliminary recommendations for safeguarding this species.
A major biodiversity assessment effort led by Durrell, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Montserrat Government has been recently been completed   and is aiding the management and declaration of the Centre Hills as a national park.

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