Ctenosaura melanosterna

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Ctenosaura melanosterna
Black-chested spiny-tailed iguana
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Iguanidae
Genus: Ctenosaura
Species:
C. melanosterna
Binomial name
Ctenosaura melanosterna
Buckley & Axtell, 1997

Ctenosaura melanosterna, commonly known as the black-chested spiny-tailed iguana or Honduran spinytailed iguana, is a species of iguana in the genus Ctenosaura. It is considered endangered.[3]

Geographic range

The black-chested spiny-tailed iguana is

endemic to Honduras. It is only found in the Valle de Aguán in northern Honduras, and on the Cayos Cochinos archipelago off the Caribbean coast, mainly on the islands Cayo Mayor and Cayo Pequeño.[3]

Habitat

The natural habitat of the black-chested spiny-tailed iguana is the

dry forest. In the Valle de Aguán, the iguanas can be found inside forests mainly consisting of Acacia and cacti. However, in the Cayos Cochinos archipelago, the iguanas are usually found in open forest and on cliffs. The iguanas are able to prey on smaller animals living in its habitat, such as arthropods
, lizards, and fledglings. They are known to eat plant matter as well, such fruit and flowers.

Threats

There are a few reasons as to why the black-chested spiny-tailed iguana is endangered, but the most significant reason is human activity.[3] Threats from humans include from hunting, trading, and habitat destruction and fragmentation.[3][4] The forests in which the iguanas live are being cleared, mainly for agricultural purposes.[3] The iguanas and their eggs are poached for human consumption as well.[5] In addition, the Green iguana is also much more numerous throughout Central America, making it a competitor for food and resources.

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T44189A14857036.en
    . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ctenosaura melanosterna". IUCN. February 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Pasachnik, Stesha A.; Montgomery, Chad E.; Ruyle, Leslie E.; Corneal, Jeffrey P.; Antunez, Edoardo E. (31 December 2012). "Morphological and Demographic Analyses of the Blackchested Spiney-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura melanosterna, Across Their Range: Implications for Population Level Management". Herpetogical Biology and Conservation. 7 (3): 399–406.
  5. ^ Montgomery, Chad E., S. A. Pasaschnik, L. E. Ruyle, J. A. Frazier, and S. E. W. Green. 2014. Natural History of the Black-Chested Spiny-Tailed Iguanas, Ctenosaura melanosterna (Igunaidae), on Cayo Cochino Menor, Honduras. The Southwestern Naturalist 59:280–285.

Further reading

Wikispecies has information related to Ctenosaura melanosterna.
  • Buckley, L.J., and R.W. Axtell. 1997. Evidence for the Specific Status of the Honduran Lizards Formerly Referred to Ctenosaura palearis (Reptilia: Squamata: Iguanidae). Copeia 1997 (1): 138–150.
  • Montgomery, Chad E., S. A. Pasaschnik, L. E. Ruyle, J. A. Frazier, and S. E. W. Green. 2014. Natural History of the Black-Chested Spiny-Tailed Iguanas, Ctenosaura melanosterna (Igunaidae), on Cayo Cochino Menor, Honduras. The Southwestern Naturalist 59:280–285.


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