| Cyclura carinata bartschi | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Cyclura |
| Species: | C. carinata |
| Subspecies: | C. c. bartschi |
| Trinomial name | |
| Cyclura carinata bartschi (Doris M. Cochran, 1931) |
|
Bartsch's iguana or Booby Cay iguana (Cyclura carinata bartschi) is an endangered subspecies of lizard of the genus Cyclura endemic to a single cay, Booby Cay, in the Turks and Caicos islands.[1]
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A subspecies of the Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) as it has different morphological characteristics; Bartsch's iguana, Cyclura carinata bartschi, was first described by American herpetologist Doris M. Cochran in 1931.[2] The generic name (Cyclura) is derived from the Ancient Greek cyclos (κύκλος) meaning "circular" and ourá (οὐρά) meaning "tail", after the thick-ringed tail characteristic of all Cyclura.[3] Its specific name carinata means "keeled" and refers to the animal's scalation. Its subspecific name is after Dutch botanist Johann Bartsch. Further phylogenic study of mtDNA haplotypes by scientists at Utah Valley State College has determined that this animal is a valid subspecies and not merely a population variant of the Turks and Caicos Iguana.[4] Morphological and genetic data indicate that the closest living relative of C. carinata is C. ricordi of Hispaniola.[5]
Measuring less than 770mm in length when full grown, Bartschi's iguana, like its parent species, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, is one of the smaller species of Cyclura.[6] Bartsch's iguana is greenish to brownish-gray, with a yellow dorsal crest, faint yellow-brown reticulations on the bodies of the adults, and a golden iris.[1]
Like other members of the genus cyclura, males of this species have larger femoral pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones. Females have smaller pores, making the animals sexually dimorphic.[7]
Bartschi's iguana is found only on Booby Cay in the Bahamas.[8] It is estimated that 1,000 of these iguanas live on this small cay and their population appears to be stable, despite the small number.[1][8] It is rumored that this subspecies once lived on the larger island of Mayaguana and was referred to as the Mayaguana iguana.[2][6]
Like all Cyclura species, Bartschi's iguana is primarily herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, and fruits from different plant species.[1] This diet is very rarely supplemented with insects, mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids, lizards, and carrion.[9]
The Bahamas National Trust has proposed to the Bahamas Government that Booby Cay, which also is a significant area for nesting seabirds, be protected under the national parks system.[1] A program to remove feral goats from the cay has also been initiated.[1][8] It has been noted that "Australian pine" trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) introduced by man to the Cay may pose a problem as the needles are inedible and their tall size prevents native plants, which the iguanas rely on for food, from growing.[8]
In 1998 a colony of these iguanas was established on Mayaguana. This population appears to be stable despite the presence of feral goats on the island.[10]