The pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae, is one of four species of iguanas (three terrestrial and one marine) in the Galapagos Islands, and the only one listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The species can only be found on the north-west slopes of the highest volcano on Isabela Island and was first described to science in 2009. As part of a population telemetry study, a health assessment was authorized by the Galapagos National Park. Wild adult iguanas were captured on Wolf Volcano in September 2019 and April 2021 to record morphological and physiological parameters including body temperature, heart rate, intraocular pressures, tear formation, and infrared iris images. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed. An i-STAT portable blood analyzer was used to obtain values for base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment (BEecf), glucose (Glu), hematocrit (HctPCV), hemoglobin (Hb), ionized calcium (iCa), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2))(,) percent oxygen saturation (sO(2)%), pH, potassium (K), and sodium (Na). When possible, data were compared to previously published and available data for the other Galapagos iguanas. The results reported here provide baseline values that will be useful in detecting changes in health status among pink land iguanas affected by climate change, invasive species, anthropogenic threats, or natural disturbances. The collected data also provide an invaluable resource for conservation scientists planning to implement conservation strategies, like translocations, that may temporarily alter these baseline values.

Colosimo, G., Gentile, G., Vera, C.a., Sevilla, C., Gerber, G.p., Westermeyer, H.d., et al. (2022). Conservation of a flagship species: Health assessment of the pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae. PLOS ONE, 17(3), 1-13 [10.1371/journal.pone.0257179].

Conservation of a flagship species: Health assessment of the pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae

Colosimo, Giuliano;Gentile, Gabriele;
2022-01-01

Abstract

The pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae, is one of four species of iguanas (three terrestrial and one marine) in the Galapagos Islands, and the only one listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The species can only be found on the north-west slopes of the highest volcano on Isabela Island and was first described to science in 2009. As part of a population telemetry study, a health assessment was authorized by the Galapagos National Park. Wild adult iguanas were captured on Wolf Volcano in September 2019 and April 2021 to record morphological and physiological parameters including body temperature, heart rate, intraocular pressures, tear formation, and infrared iris images. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed. An i-STAT portable blood analyzer was used to obtain values for base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment (BEecf), glucose (Glu), hematocrit (HctPCV), hemoglobin (Hb), ionized calcium (iCa), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2))(,) percent oxygen saturation (sO(2)%), pH, potassium (K), and sodium (Na). When possible, data were compared to previously published and available data for the other Galapagos iguanas. The results reported here provide baseline values that will be useful in detecting changes in health status among pink land iguanas affected by climate change, invasive species, anthropogenic threats, or natural disturbances. The collected data also provide an invaluable resource for conservation scientists planning to implement conservation strategies, like translocations, that may temporarily alter these baseline values.
2022
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/05 - ZOOLOGIA
English
Colosimo, G., Gentile, G., Vera, C.a., Sevilla, C., Gerber, G.p., Westermeyer, H.d., et al. (2022). Conservation of a flagship species: Health assessment of the pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae. PLOS ONE, 17(3), 1-13 [10.1371/journal.pone.0257179].
Colosimo, G; Gentile, G; Vera, Ca; Sevilla, C; Gerber, Gp; Westermeyer, Hd; Lewbart, Ga
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/311748
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact