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The Hybrid Iguana is a first generation hybrid, the result of intergeneric breeding between a male Marine Iguana (genus Amblyrhynchus) and a female Land Iguana (genus Conolophus) on South Plaza Island in the Galápagos Islands where the territories of the two species overlap.

Contents 1 Anatomy and morphology 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Anatomy and morphology

Marine Iguanas have sharp claws and are able to grip rock under seawater and eat seaweed, whereas land iguanas lack sharp claws making them unable to climb on the very cacti which are their staple foods. Due to decreased quantities of seaweed, Marine Iguanas will often seek food on the land, taking over the food source from the colonies of Land Iguanas.

The Hybrid iguana can be considered a genetic success; They have sharp claws and can climb on cacti and also eat seaweed underwater. It is held that the hybrid iguana can survive in both sea and land environment.^[1][2] Despite their long separation time and there being two distinct species from different genera, the offspring are viable, although likely sterile.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Hybrid (biology)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 21-a Hybrid iguana - Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
• Hybrid Iguana, Princeton University press

v • d • e Iguanidae Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Sauropsida · Order: Squamata   Extant species Amblyrhynchus Marine Iguana · Hybrid Iguana Brachylophus Fiji Banded Iguana · Fiji Crested Iguana · Brachylophus bulabula Conolophus Barrington Land Iguana · Galápagos Land Iguana · Galápagos Pink Land Iguana Ctenosaura Northeastern Spinytail Iguana · Campeche Spinytail Iguana · Utila Iguana · Balsas Armed Lizard · Yucatán Spinytail Iguana · Yellowback Spinytail Iguana · Cape Spinytail Iguana · Honduran Paleate Spinytail Iguana · Oaxacan Spinytail Iguana · Roatán Spinytail Iguana · Guatemalan Spinytail Iguana · Mexican Spinytail Iguana · Club Tail Iguana · Black Spinytail Iguana Cyclura Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana · Bartsch's Iguana · Jamaican Iguana · Rhinoceros Iguana · Navassa Island Iguana · Mona Ground Iguana · Northern Bahamian Rock Iguana · Andros Island Iguana · Exuma Island Iguana · Allen Cays Iguana · Grand Cayman Blue Iguana · Cuban Iguana · Lesser Caymans Iguana · Anegada Ground Iguana · Ricord's Iguana · San Salvador Iguana · White Cay Iguana · Acklins Ground Iguana Dipsosaurus Desert iguana Iguana Green Iguana · Lesser Antillean Iguana Sauromalus Common Chuckwalla · Peninsular Chuckwalla · Angel Island Chuckwalla · Monserrat Chuckwalla · San Esteban Chuckwalla