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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T44176A10856296
Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi, San Cristóbal
Marine Iguana
Assessment by: Nelson, K., Snell, H. & Wikelski, M.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Nelson, K., Snell, H. & Wikelski, M. 2004. Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi. The IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T44176A10856296.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Reptilia
Squamata
Iguanidae
Taxon Name: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1962
Parent Species: See Amblyrhynchus cristatus
Common Name(s):
• English:
• French:
• Spanish:
San Cristóbal Marine Iguana, Galapagos Marine Iguana, Sea Iguana
Amblyrhynche à crête, Iguane marin
Iguana Marina
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered A2ce; C2b ver 3.1
Year Published:
2004
Date Assessed:
April 30, 2004
Annotations:
Needs Updating
Justification:
The marine iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. A. c. mertensi
is found on San Cristobal and Santiago Islands. Extent of occurrence is estimated at less than 100 km²
and area of occupancy at less than 10 km². San Cristobal Island was the site of a shipwreck in January
2001, which spilled diesel oil/bunker fuel along the southwest coast of the island.
Although A. c. mertensi is found on two different islands, the population is low on Santiago and
unknown (but probably low) on San Cristobal. The 2001 oil spill is likely to have caused high (around
60%) mortality to the San Cristobal population, based on the location of the spill and its effects on other
nearby islands (Santa Fe). feral dogs and cats associated with the human population pose an ongoing
threat for marine iguanas on San Cristobal.
Geographic Range
Range Description:
A. c. mertensi occurs on San Cristobal and Santiago Islands. Extent of occurrence is estimated at less
than 1000 km² and area of occupancy at less than 10 km².
Country Occurrence:
Native: Ecuador (Galápagos)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native: Pacific - southeast
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
1
Population
Average generation length is five years for females and 12 years for males. The total population is not
known.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
The world's only marine lizard species. Adults and juveniles occur on rocky coast and intertidal zones.
Adult females can be found nesting up to 2 km inland and adult males can be found in marine waters,
up to depths of 20 m.
Systems: Terrestrial, Marine
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
El Niño causes periodic dramatic (> 85%) mortality in A. cristatus. In 2000 extensive habitat
contamination occurred after an oil spill. The population declined as a result of this spill. A. c. mertensi is
also inder threat from predation by introduced species.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
A. cristatus is included on CITES Appendix II. It is under "Special Law" in the Galápagos and occurs in
three protected areas: Galápagos National Park and National Marine Reserve; Galápagos Islands Man
and Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO); and Galápagos Islands World Heritage Site.
Conservation actions recommended for the subspecies include: further surveys for the subspecies,
taxonomic and limiting factor research, public education, control of introduced predators on the island,
and monitoring of the population and habitat.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Nelson, K., Snell, H. & Wikelski, M.
Reviewer(s):
Hudson, R. & Alberts, A. (Iguana Red List Authority)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
2
Bibliography
Carpenter, C. 1966. The marine iguana of the Galápagos Islands, its behavior and ecology. Proceedings of
the California Academy of Sciences 34(6): 329-376.
IUCN. 1994. Iguanidae and Varanidae Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Taxon
Reports. IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
IUCN. 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 23
November 2004.
Kruuk, H. and Snell, H. 1981. Prey selection by feral dogs from a population of marine iguanas
(Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Journal of Applied Ecology 18: 197-204.
Laurie, A. 1981. Marine iguana census. Unpublished document.
Laurie, A. 1983. Marine iguanas in the Galápagos. Oryx 17: 18-25.
Laurie, A. 1987. Marine iguana project to continue. Noticas de Galápagos 45: 19-22.
Laurie, A. and Brown, D. 1990a. Population biology of marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). I.
Changes infecundity related to a population crash. Journal of Animal Ecology. 59: 515-528.
Laurie, A. and Brown, D. 1990b. Changes in annual survival rates and the effects of size, sex, age and
fecundity in a population crash. Journal of Animal Ecology 59: 529-544.
Laurie, A. and Brown, D. 1990c. Population biology of marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). III.
Factors affecting survival. Journal of Animal Ecology. 59: 545-568.
Merlen, G. 1984. The 1982-83 El Niño: Some of its consequences for Galápagos wildlife. Noticas de
Galápagos 41: 8-15.
Rassmann, K., Tautz, D., Trillmich, F. and Gliddon, C. 1997. The microevolution of the Galápagos marine
iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus assessed by nuclear and mitochondrial genetic analyses. Molecular
Ecology 6: 437-452.
Trillmich, K. 1983. The mating system of the Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Z. Tierpsychology
63: 141-172.
Wikelski, M. and Trillmich, F. 1997. Body size and sexual size dimorphism in marine iguanas fluctuate as
a result of opposing natural and sexual selection: an island comparison. Evolution 51(3): 922-936.
Wikelski, M., Carborne, C. and Trillmich, F. 1996. Lekking in marine iguanas: female grouping and male
reproductive strategies. Animal Behaviour 52: 581-596.
Citation
Nelson, K., Snell, H. & Wikelski, M. 2004. Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2004: e.T44176A10856296.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
3
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
9. Marine Neritic -> 9.1. Marine Neritic - Pelagic
-
Suitable
-
10. Marine Oceanic -> 10.1. Marine Oceanic - Epipelagic (0-200m)
-
Suitable
-
12. Marine Intertidal -> 12.1. Marine Intertidal - Rocky Shoreline
-
Suitable
-
12. Marine Intertidal -> 12.4. Marine Intertidal - Mud Flats and Salt Flats
-
Suitable
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.1.
Unspecified species
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
9. Pollution -> 9.2. Industrial & military effluents ->
9.2.1. Oil spills
11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.4. Storms
& flooding
-
-
-
-
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
5
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amblyrhynchus cristatus ssp. mertensi – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44176A10856296.en
6
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™