Brachylophus bulabula, commonly known as the Central Fijian Banded Iguana is a species of iguanidlizardendemic to some of the larger central and northwestern islands of Fiji (Ovalau, Kadavu and Viti Levu), where it occurs in Fijian wet forest. It was described by a team led by a scientist from the Australian National University in 2008. It is one of the few species of iguana found outside of the New World and one of the most geographically isolated members of the family Iguanidae. Initially also reported from Gau Island, in 2017 this population was described as a separate species, B. gau. They can grow up to 2 feet long and have an average lifespan of 10-15 years. However, there have been some captive Fiji banded iguanas that have lived as long as 25 years. Fijian banded iguana typically are found in tropical wet islands that are typically 650-1700 feet above sea level. They also like to bask in temperatures ranging from 75–95 °F (24–35 °C). The areas that are most suitable for Fiji banded iguanas are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau, Viwa, and Kadavu. Males are typically are green with blue stripes and the females are green with white stripes.
The generic name, Brachylophus, is derived from two Greek words: brachys (βραχυς) meaning "short" and lophos (λοφος) meaning "crest" or "plume", denoting the short spiny crests along the back of this species. The specific name, bulabula, is a doubling of the Fijian word for "hello": bula.
The species is closely related to the Fiji banded iguana and the Fiji crested iguana. This species was described after a mitochondrial DNA analysis of 61 iguanas from 13 islands showed that B. bulabula was genetically and physically different from the two other species.
All species in this genus are thought to have evolved from ancestors that rafted 9,000 km (5,600 mi) west across the Pacific Ocean from the Americas, where their closest relatives are found.[3][4] It has also been suggested that the genus evolved from iguanas that crossed, in part over dry land bridges, to Fiji from Southeast Asia.[5]
ReproductionEdit
Fiji banded Iguanas reach reproductive maturity around 3 or 4 years old. To attract a mate, male Fiji banded iguanas will often times stick out their tongues and flick them repeatedly. They also will bob their heads in a rhythmic way to attract mates. Females will typically lay a clutch of 5–7 eggs, and those eggs incubate for 7–9 months. One major complication that has impacted the reproductions of Fijian banded iguanas is yolk coelomitis. Yolk coelomitis is a condition in most reptiles that occurs as a result of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis. The yolk and other nutrients of the body are not well absorbed and as a result the yolk never develops a membrane. The yolk keeps growing and breaks eventually. When it breaks, the materials from the yolk cause an infection in the coelomic cavity called Yolk Peritonitis.
DietEdit
Fiji iguanas are herbivorous; they feed on the leaves, fruit, and flowers of trees and shrubs, particularly hibiscus flowers of the Vau tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus) and fruit such as banana and papaya. When certain fruits are not as abundant, Fiji banded iguanas may also forage for leaves and other native plant species. [6][page needed] Hatchlings may feed on insects; however, adults usually will not.[6][page needed]
ReferencesEdit
^Fisher, R.; Grant, T.; Harlow, P. (2012). "Brachylophus bulabula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T174471A1414101. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T174471A1414101.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Cogger, Harold (1974). "Voyage of the Banded Iguana". Australia Natural History. 18 (4): 144–149.
^Gibbons, J. R. H. (Jul 31, 1981). "The Biogeography of Brachylophus (Iguanidae) including the Description of a New Species, B. vitiensis, from Fiji". Journal of Herpetology. 15 (3): 255–273. doi:10.2307/1563429. JSTOR 1563429.
^Noonan, B.P.; Sites, J.W. Jr. (2009). "Tracing the origins of iguanid lizards and boine snakes of the Pacific". The American Naturalist. 175 (1): 61–72. doi:10.1086/648607. PMID 19929634.
^ abSprackland, Robert George (1992). Giant lizards. T.F.H. Publications. ISBN978-0-86622-634-9.
Additional readingEdit
Jones, Oliver (2021-08-09). "Fiji Banded Iguana: Care Sheet, Lifespan & More (With Pictures)". Pet Keen. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
Stacy, Brian A.; Howard, Lauren; Kinkaid, John; Vidal, Justin D.; Papendick, Rebecca (2008). "Yolk Coelomitis in Fiji Island Banded Iguanas (Brachylophus fasciatus)". Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. 39 (2): 161–169. doi:10.1638/2007-0047r1.1. ISSN 1042-7260.
Gibbons, John R. H. (1981-07-31). "The Biogeography of Brachylophus (Iguanidae) including the Description of a New Species, B. vitiensis, from Fiji". Journal of Herpetology. JSTOR. 15 (3): 255. doi:10.2307/1563429. ISSN 0022-1511.
October 18, 2023
brachylophus, bulabula, commonly, known, central, fijian, banded, iguana, species, iguanid, lizard, endemic, some, larger, central, northwestern, islands, fiji, ovalau, kadavu, viti, levu, where, occurs, fijian, forest, described, team, scientist, from, austra. Brachylophus bulabula commonly known as the Central Fijian Banded Iguana is a species of iguanid lizard endemic to some of the larger central and northwestern islands of Fiji Ovalau Kadavu and Viti Levu where it occurs in Fijian wet forest It was described by a team led by a scientist from the Australian National University in 2008 It is one of the few species of iguana found outside of the New World and one of the most geographically isolated members of the family Iguanidae Initially also reported from Gau Island in 2017 this population was described as a separate species B gau They can grow up to 2 feet long and have an average lifespan of 10 15 years However there have been some captive Fiji banded iguanas that have lived as long as 25 years Fijian banded iguana typically are found in tropical wet islands that are typically 650 1700 feet above sea level They also like to bask in temperatures ranging from 75 95 F 24 35 C The areas that are most suitable for Fiji banded iguanas are Viti Levu Vanua Levu Ovalau Viwa and Kadavu Males are typically are green with blue stripes and the females are green with white stripes Brachylophus bulabulaFemale Cologne Zoological GardenMaleConservation statusEndangered IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder SquamataSuborder IguaniaFamily IguanidaeGenus BrachylophusSpecies B bulabulaBinomial nameBrachylophus bulabulaKeogh Edwards Fisher amp Harlow 2008 Contents 1 Taxonomy and etymology 2 Reproduction 3 Diet 4 References 5 Additional readingTaxonomy and etymology EditThe generic name Brachylophus is derived from two Greek words brachys braxys meaning short and lophos lofos meaning crest or plume denoting the short spiny crests along the back of this species The specific name bulabula is a doubling of the Fijian word for hello bula The species is closely related to the Fiji banded iguana and the Fiji crested iguana This species was described after a mitochondrial DNA analysis of 61 iguanas from 13 islands showed that B bulabula was genetically and physically different from the two other species All species in this genus are thought to have evolved from ancestors that rafted 9 000 km 5 600 mi west across the Pacific Ocean from the Americas where their closest relatives are found 3 4 It has also been suggested that the genus evolved from iguanas that crossed in part over dry land bridges to Fiji from Southeast Asia 5 Reproduction EditFiji banded Iguanas reach reproductive maturity around 3 or 4 years old To attract a mate male Fiji banded iguanas will often times stick out their tongues and flick them repeatedly They also will bob their heads in a rhythmic way to attract mates Females will typically lay a clutch of 5 7 eggs and those eggs incubate for 7 9 months One major complication that has impacted the reproductions of Fijian banded iguanas is yolk coelomitis Yolk coelomitis is a condition in most reptiles that occurs as a result of pre ovulatory follicular stasis The yolk and other nutrients of the body are not well absorbed and as a result the yolk never develops a membrane The yolk keeps growing and breaks eventually When it breaks the materials from the yolk cause an infection in the coelomic cavity called Yolk Peritonitis Diet EditFiji iguanas are herbivorous they feed on the leaves fruit and flowers of trees and shrubs particularly hibiscus flowers of the Vau tree Hibiscus tiliaceus and fruit such as banana and papaya When certain fruits are not as abundant Fiji banded iguanas may also forage for leaves and other native plant species 6 page needed Hatchlings may feed on insects however adults usually will not 6 page needed References Edit Fisher R Grant T Harlow P 2012 Brachylophus bulabula IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012 e T174471A1414101 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2012 RLTS T174471A1414101 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 Cogger Harold 1974 Voyage of the Banded Iguana Australia Natural History 18 4 144 149 Gibbons J R H Jul 31 1981 The Biogeography of Brachylophus Iguanidae including the Description of a New Species B vitiensis from Fiji Journal of Herpetology 15 3 255 273 doi 10 2307 1563429 JSTOR 1563429 Noonan B P Sites J W Jr 2009 Tracing the origins of iguanid lizards and boine snakes of the Pacific The American Naturalist 175 1 61 72 doi 10 1086 648607 PMID 19929634 a b Sprackland Robert George 1992 Giant lizards T F H Publications ISBN 978 0 86622 634 9 Additional reading EditJones Oliver 2021 08 09 Fiji Banded Iguana Care Sheet Lifespan amp More With Pictures Pet Keen Retrieved 2023 03 19 Stacy Brian A Howard Lauren Kinkaid John Vidal Justin D Papendick Rebecca 2008 Yolk Coelomitis in Fiji Island Banded Iguanas Brachylophus fasciatus Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 39 2 161 169 doi 10 1638 2007 0047r1 1 ISSN 1042 7260 Gibbons John R H 1981 07 31 The Biogeography of Brachylophus Iguanidae including the Description of a New Species B vitiensis from Fiji Journal of Herpetology JSTOR 15 3 255 doi 10 2307 1563429 ISSN 0022 1511 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brachylophus bulabula amp oldid 1145580533, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
