Scientists have long puzzled over how iguanas ended up in Fiji, a remote island group in the South Pacific. Most modern-day iguanas live in the Americas, but new research suggests that millions of years ago, they took a 5,000-mile ocean journey on a raft made from floating vegetation to reach the islands.
Researchers analyzed the genes of 14 iguana species across the Americas, Caribbean, and Fiji. They found that Fijian iguanas were closely related to desert iguanas in North America, which suggests they originated from there. The study’s statistical model predicted that the iguanas likely floated to Fiji on a raft.
The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, supports this theory. Iguanas’ ability to resist dehydration and forage on plants make them ideal candidates for long-distance ocean travel. Understanding their origins can help scientists better protect endangered Fijian iguana species from invasive species like the green iguana.
The journey would have taken a few months, but it’s still an impressive feat that sets iguanas apart as one of the most adventurous vertebrates.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/iguana-fiji-raft-float-journey-travel-9732d828c28a8374a6873fbc1b3d4af2