RESUMO
We provide a detailed and first description of the skull, hyoid apparatus, and trachea of the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, Cyclura carinata (Squamata: Iguanidae). Cyclura is a radiation of iguanas restricted to islands of the Caribbean Sea. Species of Cyclura have high rates of endemism, and all species are severely threatened with extinction. Our anatomical description of this threatened iguana is based on high-resolution computed tomography scans of one adult, one putative adult or near adult, and one juvenile specimen, and includes three-dimensional segmented renderings and visualizations. We discuss some observations of intraspecific and ontogenetic variation, and provide a brief comparison with specimens of another species of Cyclura and published descriptions of other iguanas. Our study provides a cranial osteological framework for Cyclura and augments the body of knowledge on iguana anatomy generally. Finally, we posit that our description and future studies may facilitate identification of fossil Cyclura, which could help understand the paleobiogeography of the genus.
Assuntos
Iguanas , Crânio , Animais , Crânio/anatomia & histologia , Crânio/diagnóstico por imagem , Iguanas/anatomia & histologia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Masculino , Feminino , Osso Hioide/anatomia & histologia , Osso Hioide/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
Growth hormone (GH) is a pituitary protein that exerts pleiotropic roles in vertebrates. The mechanisms regulating GH synthesis and secretion are finely controlled by hypothalamic neuropeptides and other factors. These processes have been considerably studied in mammals but are still poorly understood in other groups. To better understand the pituitary GH regulation during vertebrate phylogeny, we compared the effects of incubating several peptides on cultures of ex-vivo pituitary fragments obtained from representative specimens of reptiles (iguana), birds (chicken) and mammals (rat). The peptides used were: growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), ghrelin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and somatostatin (SST). In rat pituitary cultures, GH secretion was stimulated by GHRH and TRH, while gh mRNA expression was increased by GHRH and PACAP. In the case of chicken pituitaries, GH release was promoted by GHRH, ghrelin, PACAP, and GnRH, although the latter two had a dual effect since at a shorter incubation time they decreased GH secretion; in turn, gh mRNA expression was significantly stimulated by TRH, PACAP, and GnRH. The most intense effects were observed in iguana pituitary cultures, where GH secretion was significantly augmented by GHRH, PACAP, TRH, ghrelin, and GnRH; while gh mRNA expression was stimulated by GHRH, TRH, and PACAP, but inhibited by ghrelin and SST. Also, in the three species, SST was able to block the GHRH-stimulated GH release. Furthermore, it was found that the expression of Pou1f1 mRNA was increased with greater potency by GHRH and PACAP in the iguana, than in chicken or rat pituitary cultures. Additionally, in-silico analysis of the gh gene promoter structures in the three species showed that the reptilian promoter has more Pit-1 consensus binding sites than their avian and mammalian counterparts. Taken together, results demonstrate that pituitary peptide-mediated GH regulatory mechanisms are differentially controlled along vertebrate evolution.
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Carnivorous reptiles exhibit an intense metabolic increment during digestion, which is accompanied by several cardiovascular adjustments responsible for meeting the physiological demands of the gastrointestinal system. Postprandial tachycardia, a well-documented phenomenon in these animals, is mediated by the withdrawal of vagal tone associated with the chronotropic effects of non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (NANC) factors. However, herbivorous reptiles exhibit a modest metabolic increment during digestion and there is no information about postprandial cardiovascular adjustments. Considering the significant impact of feeding characteristics on physiological responses, we investigated cardiovascular and metabolic responses, as well as the neurohumoral mechanisms of cardiac control, in the herbivorous lizard Iguana iguana during digestion. We measured oxygen consumption rate (O2), heart rate (fH), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), myocardial activity, cardiac autonomic tone, fH/MAP variability and baroreflex efficiency in both fasting and digesting animals before and after parasympathetic blockade with atropine followed by double autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol. Our results revealed that the peak of O2 in iguanas was reached 24â h after feeding, accompanied by an increase in myocardial activity and a subtle tachycardia mediated exclusively by a reduction in cardiac parasympathetic activity. This represents the first reported case of postprandial tachycardia in digesting reptiles without the involvement of NANC factors. Furthermore, this withdrawal of vagal stimulation during digestion may reduce the regulatory range for short-term fH adjustments, subsequently intensifying the blood pressure variability as a consequence of limiting baroreflex efficiency.
Assuntos
Iguanas , Lagartos , Animais , Atropina/farmacologia , Pressão Sanguínea , Digestão/fisiologia , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Iguanas/fisiologia , Lagartos/fisiologia , Miocárdio , TaquicardiaRESUMO
Infections after reptile bites are uncommon, and microbial etiologies are not well defined. We describe a case of Mycobacterium marinum soft-tissue infection after an iguana bite in Costa Rica that was diagnosed through 16S rRNA sequencing and mycobacterial culture. This case informs providers of potential etiologies of infection after iguana bites.
Assuntos
Mordeduras e Picadas , Iguanas , Infecções por Mycobacterium não Tuberculosas , Animais , Humanos , Costa Rica/epidemiologia , Infecções por Mycobacterium não Tuberculosas/diagnóstico , Infecções por Mycobacterium não Tuberculosas/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Mycobacterium não Tuberculosas/microbiologia , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Mordeduras e Picadas/complicaçõesRESUMO
This study aimed to redescribe two species of Ozolaimus, parasites of free-living green iguanas native to Marajó Island. The gastrointestinal system of four iguana specimens was evaluated for the presence of helminths. Altogether, 12,028 nematodes were found, with a prevalence of 100%, an infection range of 780 to 7,736 nematodes, an infection intensity of 3.007, and a mean abundance of 3,007. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the species of nematodes found. The cecum was the site of infection that had the highest parasitic load. Morphologically, the nematodes were compatible with the genus Ozolaimus Dujardin, 1844, with the species Ozolaimus megatyphlon (Rudolphi, 1819) Dujardin, 1845, and Ozolaimus cirratus Linstow, 1906. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of small structures (serrated in Ozolaimus cirratus and rounded in Ozolaimus megatyphlon) located below the esophageal leaves. We also evidenced the phasmids in both species; this is the first record of these structures in nematodes of the genus Ozolaimus. In addition, this work expands the records on the geographic distribution of these parasites.(AU)
Este estudo tem como objetivo redescrever duas espécies de Ozolaimus, parasitas de iguanas verdes de vida livre nativas da Ilha de Marajó. O sistema gastrointestinal de quatro espécimes de iguana foi avaliado quanto à presença de helmintos. Ao todo, foram encontrados 12.028 nematoides, com prevalência de 100%, intervalo de infecção de 780 a 7.736 nematoides, intensidade de infecção de 3.007 e abundância média de 3.007. Microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura foram utilizadas para determinar as espécies de nematoides encontradas. O ceco foi o local de infecção que apresentou maior carga parasitária. Morfologicamente, os nematoides eram compatíveis com o gênero Ozolaimus Dujardin, 1844, com as espécies Ozolaimus megatyphlon (Rudolphi, 1819) Dujardin, 1845 e Ozolaimus cirratus Linstow, 1906. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostrou a presença de pequenas estruturas (serrilhadas em Ozolaimus cirratus e arredondadas em Ozolaimus megatyphlon) localizado abaixo das folhas esofágicas. Também foram evidenciados os fasmídeos em ambas as espécies; este é o primeiro registro dessas estruturas em nematoides do gênero Ozolaimus. Além disso, este trabalho amplia os registros sobre a distribuição geográfica desses parasitos.(AU)
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Animais , Infecções por Oxyurida/epidemiologia , Iguanas/parasitologia , Brasil , OxyuridaRESUMO
Registered hunters harvested over 1.3 million non-native invasive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) on Grand Cayman between October 2018 and August 2021. We used islandwide post-reproduction survey-based abundance estimates in August 2014-2021 and model-based abundance predictions for August 2022-2030 to assist natural resource managers with reassessment and modification of the harvest strategy due to diminishing returns to hunters paid per green iguana harvested. We need harvest rates > 0.600 for desired abundance ≤ 50,000 and > 0.700 for desired abundance ≤ 10,000 green iguanas. With harvest rates < 0.600, the population would likely remain above desired abundance. Without harvesting, the green iguana population would likely reach carrying capacity by August 2026.
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BACKGROUND: The black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis) is an endemic animal in Mesoamerica, whose meat is consumed by the local population. OBJECTIVES: Because the black spiny-tailed iguana may be potential reservoirs of pathogens, this study aimed to isolate and characterise Salmonella spp. in their meat commercialised in markets of the city of León, Nicaragua. METHODS: Thirteen specimens were analysed for the isolation of Salmonella spp., as well as their antimicrobial resistance patterns, including the presence of genes encoding extended-spectrum ß-lactamases. RESULTS: Salmonella spp. isolates were found in eight out of 13 samples, with S. enterica serovar Enteritidis being found in six out of eight samples. Moreover, eight Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid and cephalexin, but sensitive to other tested antibiotics. The blaSHV gene was detected in seven out of eight Salmonella spp. isolates, followed by the blaTEM (two out of eight) and blaCXT-M (one out of eight) genes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings represent an important contribution to the implementation of appropriate strategies to prevent foodborne diseases.
Assuntos
Iguanas , Animais , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Carne , Nicarágua/epidemiologia , Salmonella/genéticaRESUMO
Gut microorganisms are crucial for many biological functions playing a pivotal role in the host's well-being. We studied gut bacterial community structure of marine iguana populations across the Galápagos archipelago. Marine iguanas depend heavily on their specialized gut microbiome for the digestion of dietary algae, a resource whose growth was strongly reduced by severe "El Niño"-related climatic fluctuations in 2015/2016. As a consequence, marine iguana populations showed signs of starvation as expressed by a poor body condition. Body condition indices (BCI) varied between island populations indicating that food resources (i.e., algae) are affected differently across the archipelago during 'El Niño' events. Though this event impacted food availability for marine iguanas, we found that reductions in body condition due to "El Niño"-related starvation did not result in differences in bacterial gut community structure. Species richness of gut microorganisms was instead correlated with levels of neutral genetic diversity in the distinct host populations. Our data suggest that marine iguana populations with a higher level of gene diversity and allelic richness may harbor a more diverse gut microbiome than those populations with lower genetic diversity. Since low values of these diversity parameters usually correlate with small census and effective population sizes, we use our results to propose a novel hypothesis according to which small and genetically less diverse host populations might be characterized by less diverse microbiomes. Whether such genetically depauperate populations may experience additional threats from reduced dietary flexibility due to a limited intestinal microbiome is currently unclear and calls for further investigation.
Assuntos
El Niño Oscilação Sul , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/fisiologia , Iguanas/microbiologia , Animais , Biodiversidade , EquadorRESUMO
Chrysosporium-related fungi, the cause of superficial and deep mycoses, are an emerging infectious disease affecting not only reptiles but also immunocompromized humans. However, the information on Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides is extremely scarce. We herein characterized N. arthrosporioides isolated from a Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila). Three skin ulcers were found in a Cuban rock iguana after captivity for 8 years. Microscopic examination revealed hyperplastic, hyperkeratotic, and ulcerative dermatitis coupled with numerous branched, septate fungal hyphae. The fungal culture yielded growth of zonate, felted cottony-powdery colonies with lobate margins on medium. Maximum-likelihood phylogeny tree based on the combined partial actin and partial ß-tubulin genes demonstrated that current isolates were mostly close to N. arthrosporioides. Furthermore, antifungal susceptibility test demonstrated that N. arthrosporioides had lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to isavuconazole, efinaconazole, and luliconazole, which may be the potential treatment of choice for N. arthrosporioides infection. The current study describes the first confirmed case of dermatomycosis caused by N. arthrosporioides of a captive reptile in Asia with detailed descriptions of the clinical, histopathological, and mycological features. The current findings provide new information on global distribution and host range of N. arthrosporioides and can raise the concern on the transboundary or emerging disease of N. arthrosporioides in Asian region.
Assuntos
Dermatomicoses , Iguanas , Onygenales , Animais , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Ásia , Dermatomicoses/tratamento farmacológico , Dermatomicoses/microbiologia , Humanos , Iguanas/microbiologia , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Onygenales/efeitos dos fármacos , Onygenales/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Communication between individuals via molecules, termed chemosignaling, is widespread among animal and plant species. However, we lack knowledge on the specific functions of the substances involved for most systems. The femoral gland is an organ that secretes a waxy substance involved in chemical communication in lizards. Although the lipids and volatile substances secreted by the femoral glands have been investigated in several biochemical studies, the protein composition and functions of secretions remain completely unknown. Applying a proteomic approach, we provide the first attempt to comprehensively characterize the protein composition of femoral gland secretions from the Galápagos marine iguana. Using samples from several organs, the marine iguana proteome was assembled by next-generation sequencing and MS, resulting in 7513 proteins. Of these, 4305 proteins were present in the femoral gland, including keratins, small serum proteins, and fatty acid-binding proteins. Surprisingly, no proteins with discernible roles in partner recognition or inter-species communication could be identified. However, we did find several proteins with direct associations to the innate immune system, including lysozyme C, antileukoproteinase (ALP), pulmonary surfactant protein (SFTPD), and galectin (LGALS1) suggesting that the femoral glands function as an important barrier to infection. Furthermore, we report several novel anti-microbial peptides from the femoral glands that show similar action against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis such as oncocin, a peptide known for its effectiveness against Gram-negative pathogens. This proteomics data set is a valuable resource for future functional protein analysis and demonstrates that femoral gland secretions also perform functions of the innate immune system.
Assuntos
Anti-Infecciosos/metabolismo , Anti-Infecciosos/farmacologia , Iguanas/metabolismo , Sistema Imunitário/metabolismo , Imunidade Inata , Proteoma/metabolismo , Transcriptoma , Animais , Apoproteínas/genética , Apoproteínas/metabolismo , Bacillus subtilis/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Fatores Quimiotáticos/genética , Fatores Quimiotáticos/metabolismo , Equador , Endopeptidases/genética , Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/efeitos dos fármacos , Galectinas/genética , Galectinas/metabolismo , Coração/fisiologia , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Humanos , Iguanas/genética , Iguanas/imunologia , Imunidade Inata/genética , Pulmão/metabolismo , Muramidase/genética , Muramidase/metabolismo , Músculos/metabolismo , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Especificidade de Órgãos , Proteoma/genética , Proteoma/imunologia , Proteômica , Proteínas Associadas a Surfactantes Pulmonares/genética , Proteínas Associadas a Surfactantes Pulmonares/metabolismo , Pele/metabolismo , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Transcriptoma/genéticaRESUMO
The green iguana appears to be a carrier for bacteria causing gastrointestinal infections in humans. The presence of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes, however, has not been studied in this reptile. The aim of the current work was to investigate the prevalence of DEC in the intestines of 240 captive green iguanas, their phylogenetic groups, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile. E. coli strains were isolated from 41.7% (N = 100/240) of the intestinal content of green iguanas. DEC strains was identified in 25.9% of the screened population and were detected in the majority (62%, p = 0.009) of those reptiles carrying E. coli strains. Among DEC strains, STEC strains carrying the stx1 gene were the most prevalent pathotype isolated (38.7%), followed by EAEC and ETEC (27.4% each). Genetic markers of DEC strains belonging to the EHEC pathotype were not detected. More than a half of DEC strains were classified into the Clade I-II phylogroup (64.5%), followed by the phylogroup A (14.5%). The antibiotic susceptibility method demonstrated that a high proportion of DEC strains were resistance, or non-susceptible, to carbenicillin, amikacin, and ampicillin. We conclude that the green iguana kept in captivity is a carrier of DEC strains bearing resistance to first-line antibiotics, including penicillins. Given the increase presence of the green iguana in Latin American households, these reptiles represent a potential source of transmission to susceptible humans and therefore a potential source of gastrointestinal disease.
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The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three Iguana species: the Lesser Antillean iguanaIguana delicatissima, which is endemic to the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles, the introduced common iguana from South America, Iguana iguana iguana, represented also by the two newly described endemic subspecies Iguana iguana sanctaluciae from Saint Lucia and Iguana iguana insularis from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, and the introduced Iguana rhinolopha from Central America. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes the Iguana populations from Saba and Montserrat as a new species, Iguana melanoderma. This species is recognized on the basis of the following combination of characteristics: private microsatellite alleles, unique mitochondrial ND4 haplotypes, a distinctive black spot between the eye and tympanum, a dorsal carpet pattern on juveniles and young adults, a darkening of body coloration with aging (except for the anterior part of the snout), a black dewlap, pink on the jowl, the high number of large tubercular nape scales, fewer than ten medium sized-triangular dewlap spikes, high dorsal spikes, and lack of horns on the snout. This new melanistic taxon is threatened by unsustainable harvesting (including for the pet trade) and both competition and hybridization from escaped or released invasive alien iguanas (I. iguana iguana and I. rhinolopha) from South and Central America, respectively. The authors call for action to conserve Iguana melanoderma in Saba and Montserrat and for further research to investigate its relationship to other melanistic iguanas from the Virgin Islands and coastal islands of Venezuela.
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Feces (n = 226; 2004-2015) from healthy captive and wild blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, were examined for endoparasites. Parasites identified included Nyctotherus sp. and Entamoeba sp. cysts and trophozoites, trichomonad trophozoites, and oxyurid and trichostrongylid eggs. Endoparasites from postmortem examinations (n = 13) included adult and larval nematodes: Ozolaimus megatyphlon, Ozolaimus monhystera, Alaeuris travassosi, Atractis mega, and an unidentified species of Oswaldocruzia. Entamoeba spp. were more likely in captive juveniles of both sexes than captive or wild adults of either sex; Entamoeba spp. were more likely in captive adult females than captive adult males; trichomonad trophozoites were more likely in adult captive and wild iguanas of both sexes than in captive juveniles of either sex; and Nyctotherus spp. were more likely in juvenile captive males than captive adult males or females and more likely in adult wild males than captive juvenile males. Trichostrongylid eggs were more likely in adult wild females than adult captive females and more likely in captive and wild adults of both sexes than in captive juveniles of both sexes. Oxyurid eggs were more likely in adult captive and wild iguanas of both sexes than captive juveniles of either sex. Blue iguanas have a variety of endoparasites regardless of age, sex, or captive vs wild status, with no type found exclusively in either captive or wild populations. Ectoparasites from wild adults included adult ticks (Amblyomma torrei) and a single adult mite (Hirstiella trombidiformis). All are new host records for this species and Grand Cayman. Knowledge of parasite status of captive and wild populations is important to evaluate the relative risk of introduction of captive animals into wild populations.
Assuntos
Iguanas/parasitologia , Doenças Parasitárias em Animais/parasitologia , Envelhecimento , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Doenças Parasitárias em Animais/epidemiologia , Índias Ocidentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Background: The Green iguana (Iguana iguana) is a reptile belonging to the Iguanidae family. It is an ectothermic animalwith arboreal habits and a daytime activity pattern. Leaves, fruits, and eggs are part of their diet. These animals can be foundin the South, North and Central America. Free-living Green iguanas may suffer stress during environmental changes, whichcan lead to a homeostatic imbalance. There is a correlation between stress and anorexia which results in an increase in theoccurrence of fractures. Reptile fractures are generally treated by providing rigid stabilization and alignment maintenance.The present study reports the use of locking-plate osteosynthesis in one iguana.Case: One female green iguana, weighing 1.690 kg, was assisted at the Hospital Veterinário (Hovet) - Federal da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT). During anamnesis, it was observed that this iguana was a non-captive animal,which had fallen from a tree. The animal was unable to perform physical movements with the forearm displaying bonecrepitation. It was also observed apathy and dehydration. The iguana was subjected to a range of supplementary examinations and on the x-ray image, it was detected that there was a complete right humerus fracture. Following examination,the animal underwent surgery for fracture stabilization. Humerus osteosynthesis was performed with compression in a 1.5mm 6-hole locking-plate. During the osteosynthesis procedure a morphogenetic graft was inserted. Immediate post-surgeryradiographic evaluation was performed, and that confirmed fracture reduction and bone alignment. The animal displayedclinical improvement after the second post-operative day once it returned to regular ingestion of diet. On the 30th postoperative day, the radiographic evaluation showed evidence of bone consolidation. On the 40th post-operative day, theanimal displayed satisfactory gait and voluntary ingestion of food, thus enabling its return to...(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Feminino , Iguanas/fisiologia , Fixação Interna de Fraturas/veterinária , Fraturas do Úmero/cirurgia , Fraturas do Úmero/veterinária , Placas Ósseas/veterinária , Proteína Morfogenética Óssea 1RESUMO
The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus Iguana Laurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the Common green iguana Iguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. No subspecies are currently recognised. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana iguana and those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes two subspecies of the Common green iguana Iguana iguana from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia Iguana iguana sanctaluciae and Iguana iguana insularis from St Vincent the Grenadines, and Grenada. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. The new subspecies are described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males. Iguana iguana sanctaluciae has in adults vertical black stripes on body and tail and a black dewlap whereas Iguana iguana insularis is pale grey or creamy white in adults. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive iguanas from South and Central America (I. iguana iguana and I. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebred Iguana i. insularis and Iguana i. sanctaluciae ssp. nov. throughout their ranges and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles.
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Iguanas , Animais , Região do Caribe , Ilhas , MasculinoRESUMO
We utilized natural experiment opportunities presented by differential conditions (presence/absence of seabirds and invasive species) on cays in the Bahamas to study whether interisland variations in food resources contributed to gigantism in Allen Cays Rock Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura inornata). We analyzed the stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values from iguana tissues and resources from each island food web to test the predictions that (1) food webs on islands with seabirds exhibit the influence of marine subsidies from seabird guano, whereas those from non-seabird islands do not, and (2) size differences in iguanas among cays were due to either (a) supplemental food availability from mice and/or seabird carcasses killed by barn owls (Tyto alba) and/or (b) access to more nutrient-rich vegetation fertilized by seabird guano. Food web components from the seabird island (Allen Cay) had 5-9 higher δ15N values than those on the other cays and Allen Cay plants contained nearly two times more nitrogen. Bayesian stable isotope mixing models indicated that C3 plants dominated iguana diets on all islands and showed no evidence for consumption of mice or shearwaters. The iguanas on Allen Cay were ~ 2 times longer (48.3 ± 11.6 cm) and ~ 6 times heavier (5499 ± 2847 g) than iguanas on other cays and this was likely from marine-derived subsidies from seabird guano which caused an increase in nitrogen concentration in the plants and a resultant increase in the δ15N values across the entire food web relative to non-seabird islands.
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Tamanho Corporal , Iguanas , Animais , Bahamas , Teorema de Bayes , Espécies Introduzidas , Ilhas , CamundongosRESUMO
Since cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems of reptiles are affected by temperature, accurate measurements are of great importance in both captive husbandry and research. Ectothermic animals generally have core body temperatures close to ambient temperature but can differ from the immediate environment if they are using sunlight to thermoregulate. Many zoological facilities and exotic pet caregivers have begun using infrared temperature guns to assess ambient temperatures of reptile enclosures but there are currently few studies assessing the efficacy of these devices for measuring the body temperatures of reptiles. Conolophus subcristatus, Conolophus pallidus (Galápagos land iguanas), and Amblyrhynchus cristatus X C. subcristatus hybrid are robust land iguanas endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. By comparing the infrared body temperature measurements of land iguanas against virtual simultaneous collection of cloacal temperatures obtained using a thermocouple thermometer, we sought to assess the efficacy of this non-invasive method. We found that internal body temperature can be predicted with a high level of accuracy from three external body temperature sites, providing a good non-invasive method that avoids the capture of animals.
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Background: The Green iguana (Iguana iguana) is a reptile belonging to the Iguanidae family. It is an ectothermic animalwith arboreal habits and a daytime activity pattern. Leaves, fruits, and eggs are part of their diet. These animals can be foundin the South, North and Central America. Free-living Green iguanas may suffer stress during environmental changes, whichcan lead to a homeostatic imbalance. There is a correlation between stress and anorexia which results in an increase in theoccurrence of fractures. Reptile fractures are generally treated by providing rigid stabilization and alignment maintenance.The present study reports the use of locking-plate osteosynthesis in one iguana.Case: One female green iguana, weighing 1.690 kg, was assisted at the Hospital Veterinário (Hovet) - Federal da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT). During anamnesis, it was observed that this iguana was a non-captive animal,which had fallen from a tree. The animal was unable to perform physical movements with the forearm displaying bonecrepitation. It was also observed apathy and dehydration. The iguana was subjected to a range of supplementary examinations and on the x-ray image, it was detected that there was a complete right humerus fracture. Following examination,the animal underwent surgery for fracture stabilization. Humerus osteosynthesis was performed with compression in a 1.5mm 6-hole locking-plate. During the osteosynthesis procedure a morphogenetic graft was inserted. Immediate post-surgeryradiographic evaluation was performed, and that confirmed fracture reduction and bone alignment. The animal displayedclinical improvement after the second post-operative day once it returned to regular ingestion of diet. On the 30th postoperative day, the radiographic evaluation showed evidence of bone consolidation. On the 40th post-operative day, theanimal displayed satisfactory gait and voluntary ingestion of food, thus enabling its return to...
Assuntos
Feminino , Animais , Fixação Interna de Fraturas/veterinária , Fraturas do Úmero/cirurgia , Fraturas do Úmero/veterinária , Iguanas/fisiologia , Placas Ósseas/veterinária , Proteína Morfogenética Óssea 1RESUMO
From 2005 to 2017, a total of 334 fresh fecal samples was obtained from 236 captive and free-ranging Grand Cayman iguanas ( Cyclura lewisi) in a captive breeding and release program. One-hundred-sixteen samples were obtained from individual captive iguanas living in enclosures with natural substrate, 161 samples from captive iguanas living in elevated wire-bottom enclosures, and 57 samples from free-ranging wild iguanas. These samples were cultured to isolate subspecies of Salmonella enterica. as part of prerelease health evaluations, and to determine baseline health assessments of captive and wild populations of these iguanas. There was a 5.45% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-15.12) prevalence of S. enterica in iguanas housed on natural substrate ( n = 51), 3.85% (CI: 1.42-8.19) in iguanas housed in elevated wire-bottom enclosures ( n = 157), and 6.06% (CI: 0.74-20.23) in wild free-ranging iguanas ( n = 38). These results demonstrate no significant difference ( P = 0.73) in S. enterica prevalence among these housing conditions. The incidence of S. enterica from 2005 to 2017 in the population sampled was 4.19% (CI 3.10-5.29). Ten different serotypes of S. enterica were isolated from 14 iguanas. Salmonella enterica ser. Saintpaul was the most frequent isolate. Annual S. enterica prevalence was calculated for iguanas housed in different enclosure types, for free-roaming wild iguanas, and for all cultured iguanas. The highest yearly prevalence was 23.08% (CI: 5.04-53.81) in iguanas tested in 2007 ( n = 21). No Salmonella enterica were cultured in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. These results suggest that the shedding of S. enterica was not significantly different between housing types or between captive versus wild iguanas and therefore that release of captive iguanas did not significantly affect the health of the wild population or their exposure to S. enterica.
Assuntos
Iguanas , Salmonelose Animal/epidemiologia , Salmonella enterica/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Animais de Zoológico , Espécies em Perigo de Extinção , Incidência , Prevalência , Salmonelose Animal/microbiologia , Índias Ocidentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The somatotropic axis (SA) regulates numerous aspects of vertebrate physiology such as development, growth, and metabolism and has influence on several tissues including neural, immune, reproductive and gastric tract. Growth hormone (GH) is a key component of SA, it is synthesized and released mainly by pituitary somatotrophs, although now it is known that virtually all tissues can express GH, which, in addition to its well-described endocrine roles, also has autocrine/paracrine/intracrine actions. In the pituitary, GH expression is regulated by several hypothalamic neuropeptides including GHRH, PACAP, TRH and SST. GH, in turn, regulates IGF1 synthesis in several target tissues, adding complexity to the system since GH effects can be exerted either directly or mediated by IGF1. In reptiles, little is known about the SA components and their functional interactions. The aim of this work was to characterize the mRNAs of the principal SA components in the green iguana and to develop the tools that allow the study of the structural and functional evolution of this system in reptiles. By employing RT-PCR and RACE, the cDNAs encoding for GHRH, PACAP, TRH, SST and IGF1 were amplified and sequenced. Results showed that these cDNAs coded for the corresponding protein precursors of 154, 170, 243, 113, and 131 amino acids, respectively. Of these, GHRH, PACAP, SST and IGF1 precursors exhibited a high structural conservation with respect to its counterparts in other vertebrates. On the other hand, iguana's TRH precursor showed 7 functional copies of mature TRH (pyr-QHP-NH2), as compared to 4 and 6 copies of TRH in avian and mammalian proTRH sequences, respectively. It was found that in addition to its primary production site (brain for GHRH, PACAP, TRH and SST, and liver for IGF1), they were also expressed in other peripheral tissues, i.e. testes and ovaries expressed all the studied mRNAs, whereas TRH and IGF1 mRNAs were observed ubiquitously in all tissues considered. These results show that the main SA components in reptiles of the Squamata Order maintain a good structural conservation among vertebrate phylogeny, and suggest important physiological interactions (endocrine, autocrine and/or paracrine) between them due to their wide peripheral tissue expression.