Wikelski, M., Foufopoulos, J., Vargas, H., Snell, H. 2004. Galápagos Birds and Diseases: Invasive Pathogens as Threats for Island Species. Ecology Society 9(1): 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-00605-090105

Successful monitoring underpins effective wildlife management insofar as serves to track the response of resources and identify whether should be continued or changed. Here we provide both general guidelines specific examples for design implementation programs adaptive based, in part, on lessons have learned Galapagos Islands, where development a comprehensive program its is underway. To effective, (1) framed by well-articulated objectives that are closely linked goals; (2) measure subset...

We examined the phylogeography and history of giant Galápagos tortoise populations based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 161 individuals 21 sampling sites representing 11 currently recognized extant taxa. Molecular clock geological considerations indicate a founding monophyletic lineage around 2-3 million years ago, which would allow for all diversification to have occurred islands. Founding events generally geologically older younger islands with some colonized more than once. Six...

Republished here, with permission, in a slightly modified form, from Noticias de Galapagos 55, July 1995, 18–24. Copyright remains, by agreement, Galápagos , which is published The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Islands.

Abstract The formation of islands following a rise in sea level at the end Pleistocene is expected to disrupt equilibrium between genetic drift and gene flow species with limited ability disperse. Here, we test hypothesis that isolation has caused differentiation Galápagos lava lizards ( Microlophus albemarlensis complex) found on 12 islets are likely have been connected larger island, Isla Santa Cruz, during late Pleistocene. Using 11 microsatellite loci, screened 524 individuals from 17...

The "lava lizards" (Microlophus) are distributed throughout the Galápagos Archipelago, and consist of radiations derived from two independent colonizations. "Eastern Radiation" includes M. bivittatus habeli endemic to San Cristobal Marchena Islands. "Western five seven historically recognized species across almost entire Archipelago. We combine dense geographic sampling multilocus sequence data estimate a phylogenetic hypothesis for Western Radiation, delimit boundaries in this radiation,...

The lizard family Iguanidae comprises eight living genera distributed throughout the New and Old World, includes several island endemics. We reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among these using 90 previously published morphological characters, to which we add a molecular (mtDNA sequence) data set that 742 nucleotides of ND4 gene complete sequences histidine, serine, leucine tRNAs (217 nucleotides). Trees were initially constructed separately from three sets, then tested for significant...

As natural populations of endangered species dwindle to precarious levels, remaining members are sometimes brought into captivity, allowed breed and their offspring returned the habitat. One goal such repatriation programmes is retain as much genetic variation possible. A taxon giant Galápagos tortoises on island Española has been subject a captive breeding–repatriation programme for 33 years. Core breeders, consisting 12 females three males, have produced more than 1200 that released where...

Conolophus marthae sp. nov., a new species endemic to Volcan Wolf of northern Isla Isabela the Galápagos archipelago, is described. The morphologically, behaviorally, and genetically distinguished from other two congeneric C. subcristatus pallidus. Besides taxonomic implications, nov. extremely important as it only evidence deep divergence within land iguana lineage.

Despite the attention given to them, Galápagos have not yet finished offering evolutionary novelties. When Darwin visited Galápagos, he observed both marine (Amblyrhynchus) and land (Conolophus) iguanas but did encounter a rare pink black-striped iguana (herein referred as "rosada," meaning "pink" in Spanish), which, surprisingly, remained unseen until 1986. Here, we show that substantial genetic isolation exists between rosada syntopic yellow forms is basal extant taxonomically recognized...

Summary Ectotherms such as lizards are expected to alter their behaviour and microhabitat use experience population declines in response rising temperatures. But the role of changing rainfall patterns on lizard is not understood. We used a 5‐year manipulation experiment piñon pine‐juniper woodland central New Mexico study how species' varies four different treatments. examined ground temperatures sun shade, daily rainfall, within each treatment, during activity periods, address or shade...

A phylogenetic scheme derived via multivariate analyses of adaptively neutral scale characteristics is compared to patterns ecological adaptation in body size and shape, hatchling size, clutch reproductive seasonality, extant populations Galapagos land iguanas (genus Conolophus). Three groups iguana are identified, the oldest being population Isla Santa Fe, followed by central islands (Santa Cruz, Plaza Sur Baltra), youngest those western (Fernandina Isabela). Patterns similarity among these...

Abstract The Galápagos land iguanas (genus Conolophus ) have faced significant anthropogenic disturbances since the 17th century, leading to severe reduction of some populations and extinction others. Conservation activities, including repatriation captive‐bred animals depleted areas, been ongoing late 1970s, but genetic information has not extensively incorporated. Here we use nine species‐specific microsatellite loci 703 from six islands where species occur today characterize diversity...

Reptilian eggs previously categorized with respect to the flexibility of eggshells appear fall into two groups: endohydric are those that invested, by female parent at time oviposition, all water necessary complete embryogenesis; and ectohydric which need absorb from nest medium tocomplete embryogenesis. Eggs Galapagos land iguana unusual among most lepidosaurians having very permeable parchment shells, but containing a large albumen (apparently serving as reservoir for embryo). It appears...

Abstract Many natural processes in the riparian cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ) forest of Middle Rio Grande (MRG) southwestern United States have been disrupted or altered, allowing non‐native plants such as saltcedar Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia to establish. We investigated reptilian responses restoration efforts by sampling communities lizards at 12 study sites invaded along MRG New Mexico for 7 years (2000–2006). Sites within three regions were randomly...

Abstract Physiological responses to organismal stress can have direct impacts on individual fitness. While stressors mediated by glucocorticoid hormones are well studied, the regulation of redox system via pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance as natural causes oxidative in nature remain poorly known, especially for reptiles. In this study, we investigate interpopulation intersex variation damage plasma capacity Galápagos land iguana, Conolophus subcristatus, over a 3-yr study evaluate what...