Abstract We evaluated the role that endangered species reintroduction efforts can play in larger context of ecosystem restoration. To do so, we examined interactions between giant tortoises ( Geochelone nigra hoodensis ), currently being reintroduced to Isla Española, Galápagos, and an arboreal cactus Opuntia megasperma var. which is itself a keystone resource for many animals on island. collected information spatial patterns occurrence cacti, tortoises, woody vegetation compared recruitment...

As once boldly stated, 'bad taxonomy can kill', highlighting the critical importance of accurate for conservation endangered taxa. The concept continues to evolve almost 15 years later largely because most legal protections aimed at preserving biological diversity are based on formal taxonomic designations. In this paper we report unrecognized genetic divisions within giant tortoises Galápagos. We found three distinct lineages among populations formerly considered a single taxon populous and...

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...

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, is undergoing significant environmental degradation, which has adverse health effects on nearby rural communities, who are primarily Latinx and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian. Over the past two decades, lake’s water levels have steadily dropped. Water conditions in characterized by low oxygen high nutrient levels, favor production of H2S. This study investigates connection between Sea’s changing conditions, particularly worsening quality,...

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...

Galápagos tortoises represent the only surviving lineage of giant that exhibit two different types shell morphology. The taxonomy was initially based mainly on diagnostic morphological characters shell, but has been clarified by molecular studies indicating most islands harbor monophyletic lineages, with exception Isabela and Santa Cruz. On Cruz there is strong genetic differentiation between tortoise populations (Cerro Fatal La Reserva) exhibiting domed Here we integrate nuclear...

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...

Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) inhabit the coastlines of large and small islands throughout Galápagos archipelago, providing a rich system to study spatial temporal factors influencing phylogeographic distribution population structure species. Here, we analyze microevolution marine using complete mitochondrial control region (CR) as well 13 microsatellite loci representing more than 1200 individuals from islands.CR data show that occupy three general clades: one is widely...

Volcanic islands represent excellent models with which to study the effect of vicariance on colonization and dispersal, particularly when evolution genetic diversity mirrors sequence geological events that led island formation. Phylogeographic inference, however, can be challenging for recent dispersal within islands, where antagonistic effects land bridge formation affect movements organisms limited ability. We investigated levels divergence recovered signatures 631 Galápagos giant...

Abstract Ex situ conservation strategies may be substantially informed by genetic data, and yet only recently have such approaches been used to facilitate captive population management of endangered species. The Galápagos tortoise Geochelone nigra is an species that has benefited greatly from the application molecular but remains vulnerable throughout its range. geographic evolutionary origins 98 tortoises in private collections zoos on three continents were identified using mitochondrial...

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a major source of climatic disturbance, impacting the dynamics ecosystems worldwide. Recent models predict that human-generated rises in green-house gas levels will cause an increase strength and frequency Niño warming events next several decades, highlighting need to understand potential biological consequences increased ENSO activity. Studies have focused on ecological demographic implications range organisms, but there been few systematic...

Se estudió el estado actual de las poblaciones tortugas terrestres gigantes (Geochelone) en islas Galápagos. Métodos distribución geográfica, marca-recaptura, estructura, densidad, relación sexo, depredación y amenazas, son usados contexto del estudio. Resultados registros antiguos indican que la demografía poblacional está muy por debajo existió los siglos XVI-XVIII fue diferente entre 1974 1992-2002. La es similar a estimada MacFarland. Demografías poblacionales actuales diferentes 1974....

Abstract Giant tortoises once thrived throughout the Galápagos archipelago, but today three island populations are extinct, only one individual survives from of Pinta, and several critically endangered. We established geographic origin 59 captive housed at Charles Darwin Research Station in Islands an effort to find a mate for sole survivor Pinta (‘Lonesome George’) augment number breeders other imperilled populations. By comparison with extensive database mtDNA control region (CR)...

Abstract The distribution of the Galápagos land iguanas Conolophus subcristatus has been strongly affected by human activities in last century. Previously widespread throughout whole archipelago, today they inhabit only few islands, with populations often small and isolated. In this study, we analyzed population genetic structure from Santa Cruz Island to investigate implications a semi‐captive conservation program that started middle 1970s is still ongoing. Nine microsatellites were used...

Abstract In this study, the growth rates of a group Galapagos giant tortoises raised in their natural habitat at Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS; Islands, Ecuador) and captive‐bred specimens (Zoo Zurich, Switzerland) were compared for first time. A great discrepancy was observed after year. When animals 4 years old, carapace Zurich approximately twice as long that CDRS tortoises, weighed 10 times more than animals. The zoo diet modified by reduction nutrients an increase fiber to...

Abstract Efforts to eradicate nonnative mammals restore oceanic island ecosystems have become increasingly successful but parallel tracking of response by native species for which control efforts are intended benefit has been rare. A major campaign goats and burros was initiated in 1995 on Alcedo Volcano the Galápagos Archipelago that ultimately removed 62,868 eliminated them 2006. Planners eradication program had foresight invest intensive monitoring status volcano's giant tortoise (...

The Salton Sea (SS), California's largest inland lake at 816 square kilometers, formed in 1905 from a levee breach an area historically characterized by natural wet-dry cycles as Lake Cahuilla. Despite more than century of untreated agricultural drainage inputs, there has not been systematic assessment nutrient loading, cycling, and associated ecological impacts this iconic waterbody. is now experiencing unprecedented degradation, particularly following the 2003 Quantification Settlement...

El presente trabajo intenta explicar por qué Opuntia megasperma var. orientalis (Howell 1933) es actualmente rara en la isla Española, Galápagos. Se hace una descripción detallada de cómo los principales componentes del ecosistema pudieron haber interactuado, desde el pasado hasta presente, y moldeado las etapas sucesión ecológica dando como resultado rareza actual cactos Opuntia. Desconociendo si esta especie fue abundante o pasado, nuestra investigación parte estudio situación aquellos...

Abstract Although the killing of giant tortoises in Galapagos Islands has been prohibited since 1933, poaching still occurs. Personnel National Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station regularly survey populations throughout archipelago report all dead found. For 10-year period 1995–2004 field personnel reported evidence 190 killed, primarily on southern portion Isabela Island. first 6 years number found killed was <15 per year, but 2001 increased dramatically, with 49 poached...

Se estudió Anolis aquaticus (Taylor, 1956) en la quebrada La Palma de Puriscal (9º45'N, 84º27'O). Métodos muestreo sistemáticos mensuales captura, recaptura y medidas fueron desarrollados durante el estudio. El color ambos sexos los A. a. es marrón con bandas verde claro verticales cuerpo cola; cuando salieron las grietas presentaron oscuro sin bandas. macho mayor tamaño que hembra 13 regiones corporales medidas. Los machos mantienen su territorio una a tres hembras, hembras no toleran...

We describe two new species of Draconura-clade semiaquatic anoles from the central Pacific versant Costa Rica. The are similar to Anolis aquaticus in external appearance and ecology but differ this male dewlap coloration scalation. robinsoni sp. nov. A. riparius each other mainly color. All three distinct according diagnostic morphological traits a phylogenetic analysis mitochondrial DNA sequences (669 bases COI gene). discuss distribution species.