Studying the effects of inbreeding on a small, isolated population of the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) on Little Water Cay.

Author

Jordan Walters, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major(s)

Microbiology

Document Type

Immediate Campus-Only Restricted Access

Abstract

Cyclura carinata, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, is a critically endangered species endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The remaining populations of this iguana are restricted to small cays and islets. Inbreeding is largely unavoidable in small, isolated populations. As a result, inbreeding depression, reduced fitness observed in the offspring of relatives, is likely and may elevate extinction risks in small populations. Heterozygosity should correlate with inbreeding and can hence be used to infer the degree to which an individual’s parents are related. This study tested the hypothesis that inbreeding depression influences the population genetic dynamics of small populations by assessing levels of heterozygosity at 26 microsatellite loci in hatchlings, juveniles, and adults of C. carinata on Little Water Cay. Results revealed that homozygosity was greatest in hatchlings, lower in juveniles, and lowest in adults. This finding is consistent with inbreeding depression reducing the viability of hatchlings and juveniles, and suggests that outbred individuals are more likely to survive to adulthood.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54718/BEUX2346

Date Defended

4-25-2025

Thesis Director

Dr. Mark Welch

Second Committee Member

Dr. Jean-Francois Gout

Third Committee Member

Dr. Eric Vivier

Recommended Citation

Walters, Jordan, "Studying the effects of inbreeding on a small, isolated population of the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) on Little Water Cay." (2025). Honors Theses. 169.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/169

Rights Statement

"Studying the effects of inbreeding on a small, isolated population of the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) on Little Water Cay.", Copyright 2025 by Jordan Walters. My thesis may be used for non-profit educational and research purposes. Note that in addition to my own works of authorship, this thesis may contain and provide citations to third party content. If your use goes beyond fair use, you would need to contact those rights holders for additional licensing/permissions.