Ctenosaura palearis
| Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana | |
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| Ctenosaura palearis | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Ctenosaura |
| Species: | C. palearis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenosaura palearis Stejneger, 1899 |
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The Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) is a species of spiny-tailed iguana endemic to the Motagua Valley, Guatemala. This species is threatened by habitat loss and illegal trade. These iguanas are used as a source of food by natives. Its eggs are a food source for the equally threatened Motagua Valley beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti), thereby possibly linking the status of the two species. It is included in CITES appendix II so that trade on this species is regulated.[1]
The Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana feeds on leaves and the fruits of the cactus Stenocereus pruinosus and occasionally insects (crickets, beetles, ants and wasp). The habitat of C. palearis is characterized by a greater frequency of S. pruinosus, Albizzia idiopoda, Ximena americana and Acacia deamii. The Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana can be regarded as a keystone species because it plays an important role in seed dispersal of S. pruinosus.
[edit] References
- ^ a b ChundawatAriano-Sánchez, D. & Pasachnik, S. (2011). "Ctenosaura palearis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/44192. Retrieved September 2011.
- Coti, P. y D. Ariano. 2008. Ecology and traditional use of the Guatemalan black iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) in the dry forests of the Motagua Valley, Guatemala. Iguana 15 (3): 142-149.[1]
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