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The pink land iguana, Conolophus marthae, is one of four species of iguanas (three terrestrial and one marine) in the Galápagos Islands, and the only one listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The species can only be found on the north-west slopes of the highest volcano on the island of Isabela and was first described to science in 2009. As part of a population telemetry study, a health assessment was authorized by the Galápagos National Park. Wild adult iguanas were captured on Wolf Volcano in September 2019 and April 2021 to record morphological and physiological parameters including body temperature, heart rate, body measurements, intraocular pressures, tear formation, and infrared iris images. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed. An i-STAT portable blood analyzer was used to obtain values for base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment (BEECF), glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, ionized calcium (iCa), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), percent oxygen saturation (sO2%), pH, potassium (K), and sodium (Na). Standard laboratory hematology techniques were employed for packed-cell-volume (PCV) determination. When possible, data were compared to previously published and available data for the other Galápagos iguanas. The results reported here provide baseline values that may be useful in detecting changes in health status among pink land iguanas affected by climate change, invasive species, anthropogenic threats, or natural disturbances.

Había una vez una iguana que se llamaba Juana que vivía en las Islas Galápagos. Le encantaba nadar, era la iguana más rápida en el agua. Todos los días por las mañanas se daba un chapuzón en el océano Pacífico, al medio día salía del agua y caminaba lentamente hacia las rocas. Fuera del agua ya no era rápida, por el contrario, era muy lenta. Azogues

The improper use of antibiotics by humans may promote the dissemination of resistance in wildlife. The persistence and spread of acquired antibiotic resistance and human-associated bacteria in the environment, while representing a threat to wildlife, can also be exploited as a tool to monitor the extent of human impact, particularly on endangered animal species. Hence, we investigated both the associated enterobacterial species and the presence of acquired resistance traits in the cloacal microbiota of the critically endangered lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima), by comparing two separate populations living in similar climatic conditions but exposed to different anthropic pressures. A combination of techniques, including direct plating, DNA sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing allowed us to characterize the dominant enterobacterial populations, the antibiotic resistant strains and their profiles. A higher frequency of Escherichia coli was found in the samples from the more anthropized site, where multi-drug resistant strains were also isolated. These results confirm how human-associated bacteria as well as their antibiotic-resistance determinants may be transferred to wildlife, which, in turn, may act as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance.

The predicted rise of global temperatures is of major concern for ectotherms because of its direct impact on their behavior and physiology. As physiological performance mediates a species’ resilience to warming exposure, physiological plasticity could greatly reduce the susceptibility to climate change. We studied the degree to which Diplolaemus leopardinus lizards are able to adjust behavioral and physiological traits in response to short periods of temperature change. We used a split cross design to measure the acclimation response of preferred body temperature (Tp), and the thermal performance curve of resting metabolic rate (RMR) and evaporative water loss (EWL). Our results showed that plasticity differs among traits: whereas Tp and EWL showed lower values in warm conditions, the body temperature at which RMR was highest increased. Moreover, RMR was affected by thermal history, showing a large increase in response to cold exposure in the group initially acclimated to warm temperatures. The reduction of EWL and the increase in optimal temperature will give lizards the potential to partially mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the energy cost and water balance. However, the decrease in Tp and the sensitivity to the warm thermal history of RMR could be detrimental to the energy net gain, increasing the species’ vulnerability, especially considering the increase of heat waves predicted for the next 50 years. The integration of acclimation responses in behavioral and physiological traits provides a better understanding of the range of possible responses of lizards to cope with the upcoming climatic and environmental modifications expected as a result of climate change.

Catastrophic events, like hurricanes, bring lethal conditions that can have population-altering effects. The threatened Caribbean dry forest occurs in a region known for its high-intensity hurricane seasons and high species endemism, highlighting the necessity to better understand hurricane impacts as fragmentation and clearing of natural habitat continues. However, such studies remain rare, and for reptiles are mostly restricted toAnolis. Here we used single-season occupancy modeling to infer the impact of the intense 2017 Atlantic hurricane season on the critically endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana,Iguana delicatissima. We surveyed 30 transects across eight habitats on St. Eustatius during 2017-2019, which resulted in 344 individual surveys and 98 iguana observations. Analyses of abundance and site occupancy indicated both measures for 2018 and 2019 were strongly reduced compared to the pre-hurricane 2017 state. Iguanas at higher elevations were affected more profoundly, likely due to higher wind speeds, tree damage and extensive defoliation. Overall, our results indicate a decrease in population estimates (23.3-26.5%) and abundance (22-23.8%) for 2018 and 2019, and a 75% reduction in the number of opportunistic sightings of tagged iguanas between 2017-2018. As only small and isolatedI.delicatissimapopulations remain, our study further demonstrates their vulnerability to stochastic events. Considering the frequency and intensity of hurricanes are projected to increase, our results stress the urgent need for population-increasing conservation actions in order to secure the long-term survival ofI.delicatissimathroughout its range.

Había una vez una iguana que se llamaba Juana que vivía en las Islas Galápagos. Le encantaba nadar, era la iguana más rápida en el agua. Todos los días por las mañanas se daba un chapuzón en el océano Pacífico, al medio día salía del agua y caminaba lentamente hacia las rocas. Fuera del agua ya no era rápida, por el contrario, era muy lenta. Azogues

The aim of this study is to explore translation of theatre texts through a comparative analysis of two Turkish translations of the play The Night of the Iguana (1961) by Tennessee Williams: İguananın Gecesi (1990) translated by Ülker İnce as a play and İguana Gecesi (1966) translated by Canset Unan as a novel, both of which are interlingual translations. What makes the case of the two Turkish translations under scrutiny unique is that while İnce’s translation is an intragenre translation, Unan’s translation is an intergenre translation. In the study, both target texts have been analyzed in terms of the strategies employed by the translators with a focus on additions, omissions and transformation of tense. The results of the analysis discussed in the light of Skopos Theory have revealed that the main source of difference between the translation strategies deployed by the two translators is the shift of genre. Thus, it is argued that the different strategies used in the translations might be explained on the basis of the two different skopoi as manifest in the translation strategies examined. It is further claimed that the case illustrates how agents of translation might take the liberty of specifying their own translation skopos under the shaping influence of socio-historical, cultural and even economic circumstances of the target literary system.

Co-invasion of naive ecosystems by non-native parasites is a serious threat to global biodiversity, though such events are difficult to detect early in the invasion process. Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are an emerging invasive species and have colonised several countries in the Asia–Pacific. A survey was undertaken to determine whether parasites of the green iguana had co-invaded naive ecosystems with their introduced host. Over a 10-month period, wild green iguanas were trapped and euthanised in Singapore. All animals were necropsied and sampled for parasites. Parasites were then identified morphologically and subsequently characterised molecularly at the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) locus. The reptile nematode Ozolaimus megatyphlon was found in 38% of the sampled green iguanas, with burdens of 100 + worms in all infected animals. This represents the first recorded co-invasion of this species with wild green iguanas in the Asia–Pacific. Based on the molecular characterisation of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) locus, the first DNA barcode is provided for O. megatyphlon. For the first time, the reptile nematode Ozolaimus megatyphlon is shown to be invasive and to have colonised the Asia–Pacific region with its introduced host, the green iguana. The DNA barcode provided here will facilitate future monitoring programmes as O. megatyphlon invades new habitats and countries.

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of rodent behavioral tests to assess the effects of midazolam and flumazenil in green iguanas. Four tests commonly used to assess sedation in rodents—the open field test, forced swim test, behavioral scale, and traction test—were conducted in 10 juveniles iguanas. The animals received midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) or 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM), and the tests were conducted between 0 and 300 min thereafter. To verify the effects of midazolam and flumazenil, the most informative tests from the evaluation stage and the limb withdrawal latency time (LWLT) were used. All 10 iguanas were tested under 4 conditions, as follows: MS, midazolam (2 mg/kg IM), followed 30 min later by 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM); FS, flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg IM), followed by 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM) 30 min later; MF, midazolam (2 mg/ kg IM), followed by flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg IM) 30 min later; and CON, 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM). The behavioral scale and the forced swim test showed the best detection of the onset, peak effect, and the differences between the sedated and control iguanas, with testing done between 15 and 240 min after drug administration. The sedative effect of midazolam began at 15 min and persisted through 180 min when assessed on the behavioral scale and 240 min when assessed by the forced swim test; flumazenil administration reversed the sedative effect. An increase in the LWLT was observed in the midazolam treatment groups between 15 and 30 min after drug administration. Flumazenil decreased LWLT between 15 and 180 min in the FS and at 60 min in the MF. In conclusion, the best methods to assess sedation in iguanas were the behavioral scale and the forced swim test. A dose of 2 mg/kg of midazolam was effective at inducing sedation in these juvenile iguanas, and this effect could be reversed by flumazenil.

Part one of this series discussed husbandry. This article (part 2) covers clinical procedures including sample collection, fluid therapy and anaesthesia and common presenting health concerns. These can be subdivided into non-infectious or husbandry associated conditions, and infectious disease. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, reproductive disease in females and renal disease are common reasons for seeking veterinary care. Presentation, diagnosis and treatment options are discussed for the common conditions.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is a large arboreal lizard with complex environmental requirements, generally making this a poor choice as a companion animal. Husbandry deficiencies are a common contributor to clinical disease, and it is important to be aware of the environmental conditions for this species and relevance of any deficiencies to animal health. This article covers the husbandry of this species. Part 2 will focus on sample collection and common presenting health concerns.

Reproductive disease is common in female green iguanas (Iguana iguana) in captivity if environmental conditions are sub-optimal. This case report describes a 25-year-old female green iguana that presented collapsed and emaciated, with a 5-week history of anorexia and lethargy, a distended coelomic cavity, and a report of unproductive straining after passing a single large deformed egg 1 week before presentation. The case involved both pre- and postovulatory stasis, associated with an oviductal torsion. The iguana was treated successfully by bilateral ovariectomy and salpingectomy. Presurgical stabilisation was an essential part of management.

Oxidative stress is a potential cost of reproduction, but conclusive evidence for this relationship is lacking. The goal of this study was to serially assess across a seasonal gradient the relationship between reproduction, circulating plasma energy metabolites and oxidative state. Here, we examine a study animal ideally suited to test for the oxidative costs of reproduction: the Allen Cays Rock Iguana. Female rock iguanas reproduce at varying frequencies, often skipping years, allowing for a comparison between reproductive and non-reproductive females during the same narrow, annual breeding season. This feature of iguana life history enabled us to address not just sex and seasonal differences in physiology, but also potential oxidative costs of reproduction in females. Male and female iguanas were sampled during the early (vitellogenic), late (gravid) and post-reproductive seasons. Ultrasound examinations were performed on females to quantify reproductive investment, and blood samples were collected for physiology assays, which included reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), antioxidants, triglycerides, free glycerol and glucose. The early reproductive season was characterized by significant increases in reproductive female's triglycerides, free glycerol and oxidative stress compared to late and post-reproductive periods and non-reproductive females and males during all sampling periods. Antioxidants were significantly elevated during the early reproductive season for reproductive females, non-reproductive females and males when compared to late and post-season. Follicle number in early reproductive females was positively related to d-ROMs, triglycerides and free glycerol, negatively related to antioxidants and showed no relationship with glucose. Measures of oxidative stress, d-ROMs and oxidative index were positively correlated with circulating levels of the lipid metabolite free glycerol during the early reproductive period, but this relationship weakened in the late season and disappeared in the post-season. Broadly, this study supports the hypothesis that the relationship between reproduction and oxidative stress is driven by energy investment, being greatest during early reproduction when vitellogenesis is occurring.

Biodiversity and wild populations are globally threatened by a wide range of actors. The genus Iguana, widely distributed throughout the Americas, is under threat by invasive species, hybridization, the global pet trade, and habitat destruction. This holds especially true for the insular lineages, with the Critically Endangered I. delicatissima having experienced a > 75% range decrease, primarily through hybridization with non-native iguanas. We collated published microsatellite data and genotyped samples from new localities to construct a distribution-wide Iguana dataset built from 190 individuals for 17 microsatellite loci. This enabled us to identify patterns of genetic differentiation within and among populations, and identify key loci and private alleles for use in conservation management. Our analyses reveal clear separation between I. delicatissima and the I. iguana complex, highlighting the power of eight key microsatellite loci for the study of hybridization dynamics. Genetic differentiation within I. delicatissima identifies four clusters that aid decision making for conservation management action. Within the I. iguana complex, we increase mainland localities by 11-fold and recover 3.5 × more alleles across all loci than previously known. Overall, we identify 112 (48% private) and 76 (25% private) alleles for mainland and island lineages, respectively. We highlight loci sets to identify (1) non-native or hybrid iguanas in insular populations and their genetic origin, and (2) genetic origin of insular iguanas in the global pet trade. Overall, we provide a reference for Iguana microsatellite loci in order to allow standardization and comparison among studies, aiding broader assessment of research and conservation hypotheses., We thank Ty Park and all donators to IguanaFest 2019 for financial support.

The Roatan Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) is an endangered species endemic to only two islands in the Bay of Honduras and a few of its surrounding cays. Ctenosaura oedirhina is currently threatened by different impacts, including habitat modification, invasive predators, and illegal collection and harvesting. Although previous work has monitored population numbers, animal distributions, and genetic variation, very little is known about the reproductive ecology and physiology of the species. Physiological indicators provide valuable information regarding the health of animals and populations. Commonly used metrics include circulating hormone concentrations, energetic indicators, and immunological indices. However, the aforementioned physiological measures can also be difficult to interpret because they are not static but rather vary according to sex, season, reproductive state, and body condition. Therefore, to understand the health status of an individual better, it is important to concomitantly measure multiple related and relevant physiological systems, and to examine these responses under different individual and environmental contexts (e.g., reproductive state, site). In the current study, we measured circulating plasma oxidative stress markers and energy metabolites in five populations of Roatan Spiny-tailed Iguanas during the prenesting season. We found significant physiological variation in females according to breeding state, and males according to population. Understanding the natural variation in the physiology of free-living animals will allow us to determine the significance of physiological measures such as health indicators in the future and thus better manage these threatened populations.

While herpesviruses are well-known pathogens in a wide variety of chelonian species, they have only sporadically been documented in squamate reptiles. Those that have been described have most often been associated with hepatic disease and oral lesions. During a study on infectious disease in pet reptiles in Poland, herpesviruses were detected in swabs from three green iguanas (Iguana iguana) from two different owners that were presented to two different veterinary clinics in Warsaw. One iguana was presented for abscesses on the head, while the other two were partner animals and remained clinically healthy throughout the course of this study. Virus was detected in oral swabs as well as combined swab samples from the oral cavity and cloaca using a panherpesvirus PCR. PCR products from all three animals were sequenced, and the detected viruses were most closely related to iguanid herpesvirus 2 from a San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius) in the United States (GenBank accession No. AY236869.1). The single animal was retested again 1 y later and remained clinically healthy and continued to shed the same herpesvirus. This is the first description of a herpesvirus infection in pet iguanas in Europe. While the clinical relevance of the infection is not known, it is of interest that the infected animals appeared to continue to shed virus over an extended period of time.

The work aims were to describe the histological and histochemical structure of the gastroesophageal tube of Iguana iguana and verify the occurrence and distribution of immunoreactive serotonin (5-HT) and somatostatin (SS) cells. Fragments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of five iguanas were which underwent standard histological and immunohistochemistry technique. Immunoreactive cells for 5-HT and SS were quantified using the STEPanizer. The oesophagus has ciliated columnar pseudostratified epithelium with staining Alcian blue (AB) + and goblet cells highly reactive to periodic acid Schiff (PAS). In the cervical oesophagus, the numerical density of 5-HT cells per unit area (QA [5-HT cells]/µm2) was 4.6x10-2 ± 2.0 and celomatic oesophagus presented QA = 4.0x10-2 ± 1.0. The epithelium of the stomach is simple columnar, PAS and AB +. The cranial and middle regions of the stomach presented (QA [5-HT cells]/µm2) = 6.18x10-2 ± 3.2 and the caudal region, QA = 0.6x10-2 ± 0.2. The SS cells were only observed in the caudal stomach, with numerical density (QA [SS cells]/µm2) = 1.4x10-2 ± 0.9 In I. iguana, variation was observed in terms of the distribution of mucus secretions and the pattern of occurrence of serotonin and somatostatin-secreting enteroendocrine cells in the TGI, which possibly will result in an interspecific adaptive response. Resumo Os objetivos do trabalho foram descrever a estrutura histológica e histoquímica do tubo gastroesofágico da Iguana iguana e verificar a ocorrência e distribuição de células serotonina (5-HT) e somatostatina (SS) imunorreativas. Fragmentos do trato gastrointestinal (TGI) de cinco iguanas foram submetidos à técnica histológica e imunohistoquímica padrão. As células imunorreativas para 5-HT e SS foram quantificadas usando o STEPanizer. O esôfago apresenta epitélio pseudoestratificado colunar ciliado Alcian blue (AB) positivo, com células caliciformes altamente reativas ao ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS). No esôfago cervical, a densidade numérica de células 5-HT por unidade de área (QA [células 5-HT] / µm2) foi de 4.6x10-2 ± 2.0 e o esôfago celomático apresentou QA = 4.0x10-2 ± 1.0. O epitélio do estômago é colunar simples, PAS e AB positivo. As regiões cranial e média do estômago apresentaram (QA [células 5-HT] / µm2) = 6.18x10-2 ± 3.2 e a região caudal, QA = 0.6x10-2 ± 0.2. As células SS foram observadas apenas no estômago caudal, com densidade numérica (QA [células SS] / µm2) = 1.4x10-2 ± 0.9. Em I. iguana, foi observada variações em termos da distribuição das secreções de muco e padrão de ocorrência das células enteroendócrinas secretoras de serotonina e somatostatina no TGI, o que possivelmente reflete uma resposta adaptativa interespecifica.

Fluid therapy selection is an important consideration for managing hemodynamically unstable patients. When working with reptiles, limited information is available for species-specific osmolality. A further understanding of reptile fluid balance and plasma osmolality is needed to select the most appropriate fluid for each situation. To date, osmolality has not been reported in a chameleon. Blood was collected from the ventral tail vein of 12 veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and 12 panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) to measure plasma osmolality using an osmometer and to measure sodium, potassium, glucose, and uric acid concentrations using a standard chemistry analyzer. The chemistries were used to calculate osmolality using seven different formulas. The osmometer measured osmolalities in the veiled and panther chameleons were 330.5 mOsm/kg (range: 285–346.5 mOsm/kg) and 308.0 mOsm/kg (294–358.5 mOsm/kg), respectively. Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the level of agreement between these measured osmolalities and the seven calculated osmolalities. There was poor agreement between the measured and calculated osmolalities. Multiple linear regression was used to develop a species-specific equation for calculated osmolality; this was useful for veiled chameleons (osmolality = 2.098 [Na+]), but not panther chameleons. When comparing the measured osmolalities of these chameleons to other reptiles, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between all groups, except veiled chameleons and green iguanas (Iguana iguana). The results of this study suggest that plasma osmolality should be considered species-specific in reptiles, and that an osmometer is the preferred method for measuring osmolality in veiled and panther chameleons.

A prospective study was performed in 12 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) to compare the radiographic appearance of coelomic viscera. Five radiographic projections (views) of the coelom were obtained: dorsoventral, right lateral vertical beam, left lateral vertical beam, right lateral horizontal beam, and left lateral horizontal beam. One week later, the same radiographic projections were obtained after oral administration of barium. In 4 of the 12 green iguanas, an additional vertical beam ventrodorsal view was obtained. In comparing lateral projections, lung, liver, and gonads were best imaged in horizontal beam lateral projections, before distention of the stomach with barium, whereas the gastrointestinal tract including the colon was best visualized in vertical beam lateral projections. The shape and size of the cardiac silhouette was considered equivalent between analogous lateral projections in most green iguanas (10 [83%] of 12). In comparing ventrodorsal and dorsoventral projections, the ventrodorsal projections improved visibility of the cardiac silhouette and lung in 4 (100%) of 4 green iguanas, while reducing cardiac length. Dorsoventral projections were preferred for the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. This study demonstrates that radiographic beam orientation and patient position result in obvious radiographic differences of the iguanid coelom and that projections are not interchangeable.

This study screened reptiles presented to specialized veterinary practices in Poland for DNA and RNA of six pathogens and evaluated connections between infections and animal husbandry. Four clinics with veterinarians specializing in exotic animal medicine collected swabs from the soft palate, cloaca, and any lesions from reptiles during routine visits. All samples were screened for the presence of herpesvirus, adenovirus, ranavirus, and mycoplasma DNA. Snake samples were also screened for reptarenavirus and nidovirus RNA. A short questionnaire was filled out by the owner(s) that included questions about the animal and its husbandry. Samples were collected from 254 animals; 107 (42.1%) tested positive for at least one pathogen. The most common agents detected were mycoplasmas (29.1% positive) and adenoviruses (10.6% positive); no rana- or reptarenaviruses were detected. Herpes and nidoviruses were each found in a few cases (2 and 13, respectively). Mycoplasmas were most often detected in Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii; 88.9% positive) and green tree pythons (Morelia viridis; 76.9% positive). Adenoviruses were detected primarily in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps; 35.2% positive). Nidoviruses were found only in pythons in the genera Python and Morelia. Herpesviruses were detected in green iguanas (Iguana iguana). There was no correlation between husbandry and mycoplasma or virus detection. Although the detection of many of these pathogens corresponds to findings in other countries, several (high rates of mycoplasma-positive snakes and herpesvirus-positive iguanas) were surprising and may reflect specific disease dynamics within Poland.

Invasive populations of green iguanas (Iguanidae: Iguana iguana) are widely established beyond their native Central, South American, and Lesser Antillean range in various islands of the Pacific, Florida USA, and in the Greater Caribbean Region. Although widespread, information about these invasions is scarce. Here we determine the origin of invasive populations of green iguanas in Puerto Rico, Fiji, The Caymans, Florida USA, The Dominican Republic, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) of St. Thomas and St. Croix, and a U.S.A pet store. We sampled 120 individuals from these locations and sequenced one mitochondrial (ND4) and two nuclear (PAC and NT3) loci. We also include a preliminary characterization of population structure throughout Puerto Rico using six microsatellite loci to genotype individuals across 10 sampling sites. Comparing the genealogical relationships of all our samples to published sequencing data from the native range, we found that sampled populations were largely a product of populations from Colombia and El Salvador; two countries with multiple, industrial-size pet iguana farming operations. Notably, we found that haplotypes detected exclusively in the USVI and Puerto Rico’s outlying island of Vieques are closely linked to green iguanas native to Saba and Montserrat (Lesser Antilles); a clade not reported in the pet trade. Our population genetic analyses did not reveal isolation among sampling sites in Puerto Rico, rather the evidence supported admixture across the island. This study highlights the roles of the pet trade and lack of regulation in the spread of green iguanas beyond their native range.

The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme maintains a captive breeding and head-starting program for endangered Grand Cayman blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. In May 2015, program staff encountered two lethargic wild Grand Cayman blue iguanas within the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (QEIIBP). Spiral-shaped bacteria were identified on peripheral blood smears from both animals, which molecular diagnostics identified as a novel Helicobacter species (provisionary name Helicobacter sp. GCBI1). Between March 2015 and February 2017, 11 Grand Cayman blue iguanas were identified with the infection. Two of these were found dead and nine were treated; five of the nine treated animals survived the initial infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene suggests Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 is most closely related to Helicobacter spp. in chelonians. We developed a Taqman qPCR assay specific for Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 to screen tissue and/or blood samples from clinical cases, fecal and cloacal samples from clinically healthy Grand Cayman blue iguanas, including previously infected and recovered iguanas, and iguanas housed adjacent to clinical cases. Fecal and/or cloacal swab samples were all negative, suggesting that Grand Cayman blue iguanas do not asymptomatically carry this organism nor shed this pathogen per cloaca post infection. Retrospective analysis of a 2014 mortality event affecting green iguanas (Iguana iguana) from a separate Grand Cayman location identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 in two of three cases. The source of infection and mode of transmission are yet to be confirmed. Analysis of rainfall data reveal that all infections occurred during a multi-year dry period, and most occurred shortly after the first rains at the end of seasonal drought. Additionally, further screening has identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 from choanal swabs of clinically normal green iguanas in the QEIIBP, suggesting they could be asymptomatic carriers and a potential source of the pathogen.

Background Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to a destructive process with exuberant new bone formation. Osteomyelitis can produce a distortion of the bone architecture, degenerative joint changes and ankyloses of adjacent vertebrae. In reptiles, intervertebral discs are absent, so the term discospondylitis is not used. In lizards, vertebral lesions have not been well studied. The present paper describes the first case of Klebsiella sp.-related spondylitis in a pet lizard (Pogona vitticeps). Case presentation A 2-year-old, female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for clinical examination due to a decreased activity level, decreased appetite and constipation. Blood tests showed no remarkable alterations. The haemogram showed normal parameters with relative lymphocytosis, although the absolute number of lymphocytes did not differ from the reference values. A computed tomography scan revealed a mixed osteolytic-proliferative bone lesion diffusing to the first and last tracts of the pre-sacral vertebrae together. A small amount of material obtained from the spinal swelling was sampled with an aseptic technique for bacterial culture, which was positive for Klebsiella sp. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and chloramphenicol and intermediate sensitivity to gentamicin. Complete return to spontaneous feeding was achieved 15 days after the beginning of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Conclusions In veterinary medicine, spondylitis represents a well-known disease in small companion animals. In mammals, the most common aetiologic agents are fungi and bacteria. Antibiotic therapy was set based on the antibiogram, and marbofloxacin was chosen at a dosage of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) once per day (SID). After only 7 days of antibiotic therapy, the clinical condition improved significantly; the patient started feeding and drinking spontaneously and gained weight. This case should remind clinicians of the importance of always performing antibiograms before choosing any antibiotic therapy. Considering reptiles, there have been few papers about spinal diseases, mostly regarding snakes and a few about Iguana iguana. Relative to other species of saurians, the literature remains lacking.

The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is an endangered rock iguana species native to Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands. Health assessments were conducted on captive and free-roaming iguanas in 2001 and 2003-2014 and were performed in the summer wet season (June-July) of 2003-2004 and 2010-2014 and in the winter dry season (November-December) of 2001 and 2005-2009. Morphometric data were recorded from iguanas when blood samples were collected: 903 samples were collected and data from 890 samples from 775 iguanas were included. Samples were analyzed for hematology, plasma biochemistry, protein electrophoresis, mineral panels, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and testosterone. Reference intervals were created for captive subadults, captive adults, and free-roaming adults when data were sufficient. Significant differences among these groups were described, as were differences on the basis of sex, season, and origin (captive vs free-roaming). In captive iguanas, most analytes were significantly different between subadults and adults, mature heterophils and copper were significantly higher in the dry season, zinc levels were significantly higher in the wet season, and cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in adult females than adult males. Testosterone in adult males was significantly higher in the dry season. These results will aid in future health assessments and disease investigations in wild and captive populations of blue iguanas and are of comparative value for other Cyclura species that are free-roaming, captive, and, especially, in similar conservation release programs.

Philippon Alain. Reptiles domestiques (NAC) et Salmonella. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 174, 2021. pp. 226-229.

Human conservation success stories with species like Przewalski’s horse, gray whales, black rhinos, Boeseman’s rainbowfish, the Madagascar fossa, the Apollo butterfly, and Jamaican iguana convey an impression that our species’ previous penchant for ecocide has somehow subsided. It hasn’t, and the stark contrast between ourselves and all others, particularly those viruses with whom we are at war, suggests a long way to go ethically and rationally, if Homo sapiens are to every truly rally to the ecologically critical impulses of biophilia.

Background : The reptile class could be considered one of the biggest vertebrate groups and are divided in orders and suborders according to their characteristics. These animals’ maintenance in captivity, either at home, captive bred or at zoos, can generate risk to their health, if the required cares are not given for each respective species. The lack of individual cares could lead to bone and muscular diseases and to traumatic lesions in soft tissues, mainly in the coelomic cavity. The report that is being presented aims to describe the case of a green iguana ( Iguana iguana ) that presented an increase of volume in the coelomic cavity. The animal belongs to the squad of the Zoo “Dr. Fabio de Sa Barreto”. Case : A green iguana arrived at the Zoo in February 2019 coming from another Zoo, with already an increase of volume in the coelomic cavity. The animal was put in quarantine and later on, it was put in display at a terrarium in the Zoo considered adequate to reptiles, with another seven green iguanas along with an argentine tegu ( Salvator rufescens ). Their feed was offered in the morning and was composed of fruits, vegetables and flowers like hibiscus. In the end of July 2019, it was reported by the attendant that the animal was presented with anorexia and prostration, and these symptoms progressed to neurologic signs, as it walked in circles. So, the animal was evaluated by the Zoo veterinarians and on exam they noticed lethargy, dehydration, absence of reflexes (pupillary, eyelid and painful), locomotion difficulty and when the iguana moves, it walks in circles. The increase in volume had the same size as reported in February and a soft consistency. After that, the animal was interned and treated according to the symptoms and the clinical evolution. Ten days after the hospitalization, the animal was still not eating, and locomotion stopped completely. It was performed in an ultrasonographic exam evaluating all the coelomic cavity, in which a great anechoic area was visualized, and a true hernia was diagnosed. However, the content of the hernia was not identified. In the next day, the animal died, and, in the necropsy, it was possible to verify that the increase in volume was actually a bladder eventration. The eventration occurred due to a laceration in the coelomic cavity musculature that allows the passage of the bladder to the subcutaneous space and its incarceration. So, the elimination of the urine and of nitrogen compounds was difficult and a large accumulation of uric acid from the bladder to the urodeo. Discussion : Iguana iguana is a uricotelic animal, which means that the main nitrogenous waste product is uric acid. Nevertheless, ammonia is also eliminated in less quantity, because of the excess of protein in the diet. These animals eliminate around 98 to 99% of the nitrogen compounds as uric acid and less than 1% as ammonia, which prove that it is possible for the accumulation of ammonia in reptiles, if any obstacle in its elimination exists. The excess of ammonia is extremely toxic to the organism, leading to emesis, irritability, lethargy, anorexia, ataxia, motor difficulties, behavioral and neurological changes, and could progress to coma or even death. The bladder incarceration reported in this case, made it impossible for the excretion of urine, uric acid and ammonia, and these compounds remained accumulated. So, the clinical signs, along with the necropsy findings, were suggestive of intoxication by ammonia accumulation which could be responsible for the signs presented by the animal and the evolution to neurologic symptoms, coma and death.