Iguanas made epic 5,000-mile journey to Fiji on rafts of vegetation
- Researchers studied the genetics of 14 iguana species, linking Fijian iguanas to North American desert iguanas.
- The study suggested that iguanas traveled 5,000 miles to Fiji via mats of uprooted vegetation.
- The findings highlight the resilience of iguanas and have implications for conservation efforts.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers explored how iguanas, native to the Americas, arrived on the remote Pacific islands of Fiji. Upon analyzing the genetics of 14 iguana species, they discovered that the last common ancestor of Fijian iguanas and desert iguanas from North America split approximately 31 million years ago. This timeframe coincides with volcanic activity that formed the Fijian archipelago, indicating a plausible pathway for these reptiles. The team proposed that the iguanas made an extraordinary journey of nearly 5,000 miles on mats of uprooted trees and vegetation, which they termed ‘rafting.’ Additionally, previous observations had shown iguanas making shorter rafting trips, thereby supporting the feasibility of such a long voyage. The study emphasized that iguanas' unique characteristics, including their resistance to dehydration and herbivorous diet, would have equipped them well for the grueling journey. The implications of this research illuminate the incredible survival strategies of these reptiles, as well as the impact of evolutionary genetics in tracing species origins. Understanding how Fijian iguanas arrived on their isolated archipelago is crucial for conservation efforts, particularly in light of the presence of invasive species threatening their survival, and the ongoing efforts required to protect endangered iguana populations.