Ctenosaura_melanosterna
Ctenosaura melanosterna
Species of reptile
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]
| Ctenosaura melanosterna | |
|---|---|
| Black-chested spiny-tailed iguana | |
Scientific 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 | |
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]
The natural habitat of the black-chested spiny-tailed iguana is the scrubland and 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.
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.
- Pasachnik, S.; Montgomery, C.E.; Henningheim, E. (2012). "Ctenosaura melanosterna". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T44189A14857036. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T44189A14857036.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- "Appendices". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- "Ctenosaura melanosterna". IUCN. February 19, 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.