A recent study by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco has revealed that iguanas journeyed an impressive 5,000 miles from the western coast of North America to reach Fiji. This remarkable transoceanic dispersal of terrestrial vertebrates has been deemed the longest recorded so far.
Scheduled for publication next week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the analysis indicates that the ancestors of Fiji iguanas, known scientifically as Brachylophus, likely arrived on the islands between 34 million years ago and more recently. The research draws on genetic data that shows the closest living relatives of Brachylophus are the North American desert iguanas, or Dipsosaurus.
Lead author Simon Scarpetta, a herpetologist and paleontologist, emphasized the significance of this finding, stating that the relationship between Fiji iguanas and North American desert iguanas had remained unknown until now. Co-author Jimmy McGuire, a professor at UC Berkeley, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the notion of iguanas traveling directly from North America to Fiji seemed improbable initially, but no other models could sufficiently explain their arrival time frame, which coincides with the establishment of land in the area that is now Fiji.
The research also highlights the resilience of iguanas, which are large and herbivorous creatures well-adapted to survive long periods without food and water, possibly aiding their extensive journey across the ocean. As scientists continue to explore the evolutionary history and adaptation of species like the Fiji iguana, this discovery not only enhances our understanding of the ecological past but also brings hope for preservation efforts as these unique species navigate challenges posed by climate change.
In a broader context, the attention on Fiji’s unique wildlife resonates with ongoing concerns about conservation and ecological balance in island ecosystems, inviting more comprehensive studies and inspiring collective action towards protecting biodiversity.
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