Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. nanus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
REPTILIA |
SQUAMATA |
IGUANIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. nanus
|
| Species Authority: |
Garman, 1892 |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Galapagos Marine Iguana, Genovesa Marine Iguana, Sea Iguana |
| French |
– |
Amblyrhynche à crête, Iguane marin |
| Spanish |
– |
Iguana Marina |
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Endangered
A2b
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2004 |
| Assessor/s: |
Nelson, K., Snell, H. & Wikelski, M. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Hudson, R. & Alberts, A. (Iguana Red List Authority) |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
The marine iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. A. c. nanus is found on Genovesa Island. Extent of occurrence is estimated at less than 100 km² and area of occupancy at less than 10 km². The current population is estimated to be around 1,500 individuals and is declining. Census data and informal observations have shown that the population has declined by more than 80% over the last 10 years due to the effects of El Niño.
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
A. c. nanus occurs on Genovesa Island. Extent of occurrence is estimated at less than 1,000 km² and area of occupancy at less than 10 km². |
| Countries: |
Native: Ecuador (Galápagos) |
| FAO Marine Fishing Areas: |
Native:
Pacific – southeast
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population: |
Average generation length is five years for females and 12 years for males. The total current population is estimated at around 1,500 individuals. The population has declined by more than 80% over the last ten years.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
The world's only marine lizard species. Adults and juveniles occur on rocky coast and intertidal zones. Adult females can be found nesting up to 2 km inland and adult males can be found in marine waters, up to depths of 20 m.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial; Marine |
| Major Threat(s): |
El Niño has resulted in the population declines seen in this subspecies.
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
A. cristatus is included on CITES Appendix II. It is under "Special Law" in the Galápagos and occurs in three protected areas: Galápagos National Park and National Marine Reserve; Galápagos Islands Man and Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO); and Galápagos Islands World Heritage Site.
Conservation actions recommended for the subspecies include: further surveys for the subspecies, taxonomic and limiting factor research. Population Viability Analysis is also recommended along with the setting up of a captive breeding programme (pending recommendations from a PVHA workshop).
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