Saban black iguana
The Saban black iguana (Iguana melanoderma) is a species of iguana endemic to the islands of Saba and Montserrat. It was described in 2020.
| Saban black iguana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Iguana |
| Species: | I. melanoderma |
| Binomial name | |
| Iguana melanoderma Breuil et al., 2020 | |
Taxonomy
The species was previously considered to represent melanistic individuals of the green iguana. It was reclassified as a separate species based on a number of genomic distinctions (private microsatellite alleles and unique mitochondrial ND4 haplotypes) and consistent morphological characteristics.[1]
Description
The Saban black iguana is darker coloured than the green iguana, with colouration deepening in older individuals. It possesses a black dewlap, high dorsal spikes, no horns on the snout, and carries a noticeable black spot between the eye and tympanum.[1]
Conservation
It has been suggested that the species is threatened by unsustainable harvest for consumption and the pet trade, and by competition with and hybridization from escaped or released non-native iguana species from the mainland.[1]
References
- Breuil, M.; Schikorski, D.; Vuillaume, B.; Krauss, U.; Morton, M.N.; Corry, E.; Bech, N.; Jelić, M.; Grandjean, F. (2020). "Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles)". ZooKeys. 926: 95–131. doi:10.3897/zookeys.926.48679.