The population of an endemic land iguana has increased significantly in the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galapagos, where the species nevertheless remains threatened by constant volcanic eruptions, we learned Thursday from an official source.
The number of yellow iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) has "
increased
" on the island of Fernandina, west of the archipelago, indicated the National Park of Galapagos (PNG).
There are now some 46,000 specimens of this species, fifteen times the population estimated in 2010, according to the PNG, which however stresses that "
the greatest threat to these reptiles is the
constant eruption
of the La Cumbre volcano
".
Good news for biodiversity
This volcano, one of the most active in the world which culminates at around 1,500 meters above sea level, last erupted in 2018 and 2020. Snakes and hawks are among the main predators of the yellow iguana in the first months of his life.
Conolophus subcristatus also occurs on the islands of Isabela and Santa Cruz, both inhabited by humans.
"
Having a high population (of iguanas), in very good health and with an adequate population structure, ensures that the ecological systems of Fernandina continue to develop
," explained the director of the Park, Danny Rueda.
The yellow iguana is one of the four species of iguanas (including a marine iguana) that inhabit the Galapagos, a paradise of biodiversity in the Pacific, located a thousand kilometers from the coast of Ecuador and listed as a World Heritage Site. 'UNESCO.
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“
Galapagos land iguanas can live up to thirty years or more.
This monitoring also helps us form a solid basis for understanding the evolution of this population
,” commented Luis Ortiz Catedral, a Mexican scientist involved in studies on this animal.
With its 638 km2, Fernandina Island is the third largest island of the Ecuadorian archipelago which owes its name to the giant tortoises that live there.
The Galapagos have unique flora and fauna in the world.