Stats
Range: Rio Aguán Valley and Cayos Cochinos Archipelago, Honduras
Population: Less than 5,000 among 2 range areas
Size: Males average 9.5″ in length and 1.3 lbs in Cayos Cochinos, max up to 12.5″ length and 3.1 lbs. Males in Rio Aguán Valley are 2″ shorter and half the weight
Threats: Habitat destruction; introduced predators; over-exploitation for local consumption; illegal international pet trade.
Population: Less than 5,000 among 2 range areas
Size: Males average 9.5″ in length and 1.3 lbs in Cayos Cochinos, max up to 12.5″ length and 3.1 lbs. Males in Rio Aguán Valley are 2″ shorter and half the weight
Threats: Habitat destruction; introduced predators; over-exploitation for local consumption; illegal international pet trade.
Species Information
- The Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguana is Endangered, little-studied, and only found in the Valle de Aguán and on the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago, Honduras. It also has striking good looks, with blocks of black and white, speckles and streaks, multiple colors on the head and dewlap, and the dark chest that gives it its name. And it has startling orange eyes!
- These iguanas inhabit tropical and subtropical dry forest and scrubland, which are threatened by conversion to agriculture land in the Rio Aguán Valley.
- They are threatened also by poaching for meat and eggs, despite being protected by a national ban on iguana hunting in Honduras.
- Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguanas are omnivorous, munching on flowers, fruits, and leaves as well as insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. They tend to eat a more vegetarian diet as they get older.
- Adult males defend territories from other males, sometimes leading to aggressive tussles. Females and juveniles can roam as they please. Breeding season is from March to June, when males do their best head bobbing and showing off to attract females. They may develop a bluish tinge to their skin accented with turquoise, and the yellows, oranges, and reds on their heads and dewlaps are even more pronounced.
- Once females have mated, they dig subterranean nests in loose, sandy soil along beaches and in low vegetation and palm forest. Nests have an entrance that leads to a chamber 12 inches—but occasionally up to 22 inches—below the surface where the eggs incubate.
Researchers have conducted some ecological studies with the Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguana to better understand population numbers and the species’ habitat and resource uses. But more research is needed in order to help these handsome iguanas make a stand and keep a foothold in their habitat.
2008 Grant $6,950
Geographic Distribution of the Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura melanosterna, in the Valle de Aguán, Honduras
Stesha Pasachnik, Edoardo Pineda, and Jeffrey Corneil
$6,950
There is currently a lack of information concerning all aspects of this species’ biology including knowledge of its actual range in the Valle de Aguán. This study, focusing on the distribution of C. melanosterna, was given the highest priority at the 2008 ISG meeting. Objectives are to create a potential distribution map targeting areas that need to be evaluated for occurrence, evaluate all potential areas of occurrence, collect natural history data on all populations found, create an actual distribution map, and make projections about the future distribution of C. melanosterna in the Valle de Aguán.
2007 Grant $6,050
Geographic Distribution of the Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura melanosterna) in the Valle de Aguán, Honduras
Stesha Pasachnik and Edoardo Antunez
$6,050
2006 Grant $5,500
Status and Conservation of the Black-chested Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura melanosterna, in the Cayo Cochinos Archipelago
Chad Montgomery
$5,500
This project will provide support for the study the ecology, demography, population size, and genetic relatedness of Ctenosaura melanosterna on Cayo Pequeo and Cayo Grande to gather information necessary for the development of a management plan for the species.
2006b Grant $5,000
Molecular Evaluation of the Ctenosaura melanosterna Clade
Stesha Pasachnik
$5,000
This project will use a molecular phylogenetic approach to evaluate species boundaries and define new boundaries if needed within the Ctenosaura melanosterna clade, to evaluate the degree and direction of introgression between the island endemic Ctenosaura bakeri and a wide ranging congener C. similis, and to date the colonization events of C. bakeri, C. oedirhina, C. similis, and C. melanosterna to the Bay Islands. In completing these goals conservation biologists and managers will be able to know where and how to target conservation efforts that will aid in the protection of four endangered species.