The status of a single species in the Dutch Caribbean can vary significantly among the islands. For example, the green iguana, which is native to some islands, is regarded as invasive in others. The presence of non-native iguanas on the northern Dutch Caribbean islands has resulted in considerable ecological consequences and poses a risk of extinction to the local iguana species. Continued surveillance is essential to avert further dissemination and hybridization of the non-native green iguana with the indigenous iguana species.
Native Iguanas
Saba green iguana
Photo credit: (Christian König)
Saba and St. Eustatius each have their own unique native iguana populations. On Saba, the Saba Green iguana, despite its name, becomes darker in color compared to non-native iguanas, with black or dark brown skin and occasional lighter markings on its throat and belly. On St. Eustatius, the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana is distinguishable by the lack of the large scale on the corner of their jaw and the absence of black stripes on its tail that the non-native green iguanas are known for.
Native iguanas are critical to local ecosystems as they serve as important seed dispersers. However, like many species from the islands, these iguanas are vulnerable to habitat loss and competition from introduced species like the green iguana. Green iguanas can compete with native iguanas for resources, and interbreeding between the species can lead to hybridization through which the native populations is slowly displaced.
Green iguana. Photo credit: Hans Smulders
The green iguana
The introduction of the green iguana’s to St. Eustatius is believed to have occurred through the pet trade, where they are popular pets due to their striking appearance and docile nature. Unfortunately, many pet owners are not prepared for the long-term commitment, leading to releasing them into the wild. Additionally, green iguanas find their way to the SSS-islands as hitchhikers on container ships that are transported between the islands.
Once introduced, green iguanas can quickly establish themselves in new environments. With females laying up to 70 eggs per year, they can breed prolifically, outnumbering the native iguanas who lay fewer eggs. As a consequence, the green iguana population can grow rapidly, leading to hybridization, and competition with native species for resource and habitat.
Lesser Antillean iguana. Photo credit: Philippa King-Stenapa
Management Strategies
On Saba and St. Eustatius, local conservation organizations and government agencies have implemented control measures to reduce the numbers of non-native green iguana populations. These include trapping and euthanasia programs, and public education campaigns to discourage pet ownership and release.
While these efforts have been successful in reducing the green iguana population on Saba and St. Eustatius, ongoing vigilance is needed to identify remaining non-native animals and to prevent more iguanas arrive from St. Maarten. Strict biosecurity measures between the islands are essential, especially at the harbors on St. Maarten to prevent non-native iguanas from being transferred to Saba and St. Eustatius. Invasive species pose a significant threat to the unique biodiversity of island ecosystems, and their management requires sustained cooperation and commitment from all stakeholders.
DCNA
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports science communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related scientific information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article is part of a series of articles on ‘Invasive Alien Species in the Dutch Caribbean”. This article contains the results from several scientific studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.
