Galapagos marine Iguana
Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Sauropsida
Order - Squamata
Family - Iguanidae
Genus - Amblyrhynchus
Species - cristatus
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Sauropsida
Order - Squamata
Family - Iguanidae
Genus - Amblyrhynchus
Species - cristatus
Common Name
Galapagos Marine Iguana
MorphologyAdult males are up to 5.6 ft. long, females 2-3.3 ft. long, males weigh up to 3.5 lbs. The marine iguana lacks agility on land, but it is a graceful swimmer. Its laterally flattened tail and spiky dorsal fins aid in water movement, while its long, sharp claws allow it to hold onto rocks in strong currents. Its diet consists of seaweed and algae. Its flat snout and sharp teeth allow it to munch on algae growing on rocks. A nasal gland filters its blood for excess salt ingested while eating, which is expelled through the nostrils, leaving white salt patches on its face.
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BiologyAs an ectothermic animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in cold water diving for algae before it needs to breathe. Dives of more than 15 meters may last up to half an hour. Afterwards it basks in the sun to warm up. Until it can do so it is unable to move effectively, making it vulnerable to attacks from predators. Marine iguanas become highly defensive when in this state, attacking any and all potential threats. During the breeding season males assemble large groups of females, which they guard aggressively against rivals.
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Distribution Map
Importance: Economical and Ecological
The Galapagos Marine Iguana is completely protected under the laws of Ecuador, and is listed under CITES Appendix II. Decreases in food supply due to El Niño cause periodic major declines in the population sizes of the Marine Iguana. The species is threatened by predation due to introduced species such as domesticated and wild cats and dogs, which prey particularly upon the species' young. The total population size is unknown, but it is, according to IUCN, at least 50,000, while estimates from the Charles Darwin Research Station are in the hundreds of thousands.
Interesting facts
- Its generic name, Amblyrhynchus, is a combination of two Greek words, Ambly- meaning "blunt" and -rhynchus meaning "snout".
- Amblyrhynchus is a monotypic genus.
- During breeding season, adult males on the southern islands are the most colorful and will acquire red and teal-green colors.
- The Galapagos Marine Iguana is not always black; the young have a lighter colored dorsal stripe, and some adult specimens are gray.
- Charles Darwin, The discoverer of the Galapagos Island, was actually revolted by the animals' appearance.
Vocabulary
Monotypic Genus- It is a genus with only one species under it.
Snout- It is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of the nose, mouth, and jaw.
Predation- A biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey.
Ectothermic- An organism's internal sources of heat are of relatively small importance in controlling body temperature.
Harems- a social organization consisting of a group of females, their offspring, and one to two males.
Snout- It is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of the nose, mouth, and jaw.
Predation- A biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey.
Ectothermic- An organism's internal sources of heat are of relatively small importance in controlling body temperature.
Harems- a social organization consisting of a group of females, their offspring, and one to two males.