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cyclura lesson
(Taken from Cyclura.com)
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Unlike their ancestry, what is certain is that most species in the genus are critically endangered, with some considered the most endangered species of lizards in the world. About 60 or so people have dedicated themselves to the survival of Cyclura under the umbrella of the IUCN/SSC (World Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission) Iguana Specialist Group and the IIF (International Iguana Foundation). Members of these organizations are professionals in various disciplines who work together to promote the conservation of iguanas. Even so, many populations struggle to exist.
An Annotated Checklist of Species in the GENUS CYCLURA (IGUANIDAE)
Cyclura pinguis - Anegada Island or Stout Iguana. Virgin Islands
This critically endangered species survives only on Anegada and a couple of small cays in the British Virgin Islands. Captive breeding efforts raise young iguanas until they are large enough to avoid many predators, but other predators, competition from cattle and goats for the limited supply of vegetation, and development have rendered available habitats on Anegada incapable of sustaining a wild population.
Cyclura portoricensis - Puerto Rican Iguana. Puerto Rico
Apparently once widespread throughout Puerto Rico, the species is now EXTINCT.
Cyclura cornuta - Rhinoceros Iguana. Hispaniola - (Navassa Island)
Some wild populations are stable, but many are known to be declining or are of undetermined status (including those in Haiti). The species has been successfully bred in the Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and other zoos, including several in the U.S.
Cyclura stejnegeri - Mona Island Rhinoceros Iguana. Mona Island (Puerto Rico).
The close relationship with Hispaniolan C. cornuta suggests a recent arrival on Mona Island, possibly via human agency. The single population is stable and is effectively protected by U.S. and international laws. However, like any species with such a restricted range, the species is vulnerable to catastrophic events affecting its habitat.
Cyclura onchiopsis - Navassa Island Rhinoceros Iguana. Navassa Island
These lizards undoubtedly were descendants of Hispaniolan founder stock that probably reached Navassa as a consequence of hurricane-mediated dispersal. The population is EXTINCT, probably exterminated by workers during the late 19th century when Navassa was commercially mined for mineralized phosphates.
Cyclura ricordii - Ricord's Iguana. Hispaniola (Dominican Republic).
A few scattered populations of this critically endangered species remain. Only the population in Isla Cabritos National Park appears to be stable.
Cyclura carinata - Turks and Caicos Iguana. Turks and Caicos Islands
Numerous small populations remain on many cays, but most are threatened by introduced predators and development, and all are vulnerable to catastrophic events. One population, commonly recognized as a distinct subspecies, C. c. bartschi, the Booby Cay Iguana, is known only from a single cay off Mayaguana, Bahamas. About 700 individuals survive on Booby Cay, but the ability of the habitat to sustain iguanas is threatened by goats.
Cyclura collei - Jamaican Iguana. Jamaica
This critically endangered species was thought to be extinct until an individual was discovered during the 1980s in the rugged Hellshire Hills. The Hope Zoo in Kingston as well as several U.S. zoos have undertaken a recovery program and are breeding animals for release into the wild once they are large enough to avoid most predators. The habitat remains threatened by potential development.
Cyclura rileyi - San Salvador Iguana. Southern Bahama Islands.
Distinctive populations inhabiting different island groups are generally recognized as subspecies. Cyclura r. rileyi, the San Salvador Iguana is restricted to that island and several nearby cays. Like all other Bahamian populations, these are vulnerable to poaching, predation by feral mammals, competition for food with goats and cattle, and catastrophic events affecting the small, low islands on which they live. Fewer than 500 animals survive, and recent surveys suggest that all populations are declining. Cyclura r. nuchalis, the Acklins Iguana, is known only from the Crooked Acklins Group, where a few hundred survive. Cyclura r. cristata, the White Cay Iguana, is known only from a single cay; the most recent survey indicated that fewer than 200 individuals exist.
Cyclura cychlura - Andros Iguana. Central Bahama Islands
Distinctive populations inhabiting different island groups are generally recognized as subspecies. Cyclura c. cychlura, the Andros Iguana, is restricted to Andros Island. No lizards remain on the North Island, due primarily to hunting for food. South Island populations still exist, but iguana hunters are moving south. A few populations of Cyclura c. figginsi, the Exuma Island Iguana, occur on small cays. Some animals have been translocated in an effort to recolonize previously inhabited islands and minimize impact. Survey work is being done to determine remaining numbers. Cyclura c. inornata, the Allen's Cay Iguana, occur in one large (approximately 400 animals) and several smaller populations on the Allen's Cays.
Cyclura nubila - Cuban Iguana. Cuba
Two subspecies are currently recognized. Cyclura n. nubila, the Cuban Iguana, is widely distributed across Cuba. Although the status of many populations is unknown, the population at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay and an introduced population on a Puerto Rican satellite island are stable. This species breeds well in captivity. Cyclura n. caymanensis, the Little Cayman Iguana, occurs on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac islands. Populations are threatened by introduced predators and habitat alteration. A survey in 1991 estimated that a total of 500 animals remain.
Cyclura lewisi - Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. Grand Cayman Island
Until recently considered a subspecies of C. nubila, this species is the most critically endangered of all Cyclura. The wild population, numbering only 10-25 individuals, may be functionally extinct. About 100 lizards exist in captivity, but habitats into which captive reared animals could be released are scattered, marginal in quality, and vulnerable to further alteration. A new recovery plan has been developed and is currently being implemented.
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