Date of Award:

5-2026

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Karen Kapheim

Committee

Karen Kapheim

Committee

Susannah French

Committee

John Stevens

Committee

Amita Kaundal

Abstract

Rock Iguanas are large, endangered lizards found throughout the Northern Bahamas that have become popular attractions for tourists visiting the islands. When tourists feed these iguanas, often giving them foods like grapes, lettuce, and other items that aren't part of their natural diet, it changes what the animals eat and can affect their health. At the same time, these iguanas also face natural challenges throughout the year, especially during breeding season when their bodies and behaviors change significantly. 

This research explores how both human activities, specifically ecotourism, and natural seasonal changes impact the health of Rock Iguanas, with a particular focus on the community of bacteria living in their digestive systems, called the gut microbiome. Just like in humans, this community of microscopic organisms plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and overall health. 

The second chapter examined how natural seasonal cycles and differences between male and female iguanas affect their health and gut bacteria. Samples were collected during two key times of year: the breeding season in June and the post-breeding period in September. During the breeding season, female iguanas had less gut bacterial diversity compared to males and females after the breeding season. This likely reflects the enormous physical demands of reproduction; female iguanas must produce and lay eggs, which requires significant energy and can change their eating patterns and body condition. Our study also found that various health indicators, including blood sugar levels, cellular stress markers, and body weight, were associated with changes in the diversity of gut bacteria. However, despite these seasonal changes, the overall bacterial community remained relatively stable throughout the year. 

Together, both chapters provide important insights for protecting these endangered iguanas. They demonstrate that both human activities and natural biological processes create distinct changes in the iguana gut microbiome, and they identify specific biological markers that can help scientists monitor these changes. Our research also highlights the importance of considering both human impacts and natural cycles when developing conservation strategies for threatened wildlife. It also shows how studying multiple populations under different conditions can reveal complex patterns in how both human activities and natural processes affect animal health, with different responses depending on species and sex. Most importantly, this work provides evidence that ecotourism, while potentially beneficial for conservation funding, does alter wildlife health in measurable ways and that reducing these impacts can help animals recover, at least partially, toward their natural state.

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