General Impact
Iguana iguana (green iguana) in its introduced range in Florida provides prey for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris; Meshaka et al. 2004, in McKie et al 2005.), the yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea; Engeman et al. In press, in McKie et al 2005.) and the Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana McKie et al 2005.). There is fear that iguanas will disrupt native bird nests or even destroy native bird nestlings and eggs (McKie et al 2005.). The keeping of reptiles as pets has been cited as the source of a number of laboratory-confirmed cases of human salmonellosis associated with exposure to exotic pets including iguanas (Woodward Khakhria and Johnson 1997). The green iguana is also a hazard to planes and operations at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico (Engeman Smith and Constantin 2005).
Location Specific Impacts:Îles des Saintes (Guadeloupe) Competition: Competition and hybridization between Iguana iguana and the Lesser Antilles iguana (Iguana delicatissima), which is classified as endangered by IUCN (see Iguana delicatissima in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), are mentioned as the main causes of the virtual disappearance of the Lesser Antilles iguana from Iles des Saintes in the second half of the 20th century (Breuil and Sastre, 1993). Hybridisation Guadeloupe Competition: Iguana iguana, which is larger and more opportunistic in its food choices than the Lesser Antilles iguana (Iguana delicatissima), is a strong competitor for the latter (Breuil, 2002), which is endemic of the Lesser Antilles and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (see Iguana delicatissima in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Hybridisation Martinique Competition: Iguana iguana, which is larger and more opportunistic in its food choices than the Lesser Antilles iguana (Iguana delicatissima), is a strong competitor for the latter (Breuil, 2002), which is endemic of the Lesser Antilles and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (see Iguana delicatissima in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). However, at present, the population of these two species do not seem to be in contact. The iguana of the Lesser Antilles is located on the Chancel islet and in forests in the North that are difficult to access. Hybridisation Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (Puerto Rico) Human nuisance: At the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport operations had to be halted six times within two months due to the hazard presented by the presence of iguanas on the tarmac.
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