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Ctenosaura defensor
– Vulnerable
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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REPTILIA
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Order:
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SQUAMATA
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Family:
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IGUANIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Ctenosaura defensor
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Species Authority:
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(Cope, 1866)
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | YUCATAN SPINY-TAILED IGUANA |
| Spanish | — | CHOP |
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Taxonomic Notes:
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Synonyms = Cachryx annectens (Werner, 1911); Cachryx defensor Cope, 1866; Cachryx erythromelas (Boulenger, 1886); Ctenosaura annectens Werner, 1911; Ctenosaura erythromelas Boulenger, 1886; Enyaliosaurus defensor (Cope, 1866).
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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VU A3cd; B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2004
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Assessor/s:
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Köhler, G.
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Evaluator/s:
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Hudson, R. & Alberts, A. (Iguana Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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Ctenosaura defensor is known only from the northern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km² and area of occupancy is less than 2,000 km². Number of locations is not known, however, the population is severely fragmented. Habitat is fragmented and is declining in quality. The population is also threatened by illegal collecting for the international pet trade. As a result of both these threats, the population is predicted to decline by at least 30% over the next ten years. Current population size is not known, but is thought to be several thousand.
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Ctenosaura defensor is restricted to northern Yucatán, Mexico.
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Countries:
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Native:
Mexico (Yucatán)
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Population
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Population:
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Total population size is not known, but perhaps is less than 2,500 mature individuals.
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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Tropical dry forest formation (Holdridge 1967) from 0–100 m asl. The species is mostly terrestrial. Preferred habitat is rocky terrain. Hollows in rock formations are used as retreats.
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System:
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Terrestrial
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List of Habitats:
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| 1.5 | Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry |
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Threats
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Threats:
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Habitat is fragmented and is decreasing in quality. The species is also harvested for the international pet trade.
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List of Threats:
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| 1 | Habitat Loss/Degradation (human induced) (ongoing) |
| 3.5.3 | Harvesting (hunting/gathering) - Cultural/scientific/leisure activities - Regional/international trade (ongoing) |
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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This species is not known to occur within any protected areas, however all wildlife is currently protected under Mexican national law and permits are required to collect and export the species.
Conservation actions recommended include further surveys for the species, research into genetics and life history, management and monitoring of the wild population and its habitat.
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List of Conservation Actions:
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| 1.2.1.2 | Policy-based actions - Legislation - Development - National level (in place) |
| 3.2 | Research actions - Population numbers and range (needed) |
| 3.3 | Research actions - Biology and Ecology (needed) |
| 3.9 | Research actions - Trends/Monitoring (needed) |
| 4.1 | Habitat and site-based actions - Maintenance/Conservation (needed) |
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Bibliography
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Bibliography:
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Holdridge, L.R. 1967. Life zone ecology. Revised edition. Tropical Science Centre, San José, Costa Rica. Köhler, G. 1996. Freilanduntersuchungen zur Morphologie, Verbreitung und Lebensweise des Yucatán-Schwartzleguans (Ctenosaura defensor). Salamandra, Rheinbach 32(3): 153-162.
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