Vol 3 Land Resource Inventory Report - Department of Environment ...

Targeted Nocturnal Survey for Iguanas
A site for a targeted nocturnal survey was selected based on the presence of a dense
patch of Hibiscus tiliaceus in the south-western part of the island (Figure 1).
The targeted nocturnal survey was conducted over two hours after dark (18:00 –
20:00). Cloud cover and rainfall were 100% and heavy respectively before and during
the two hours survey.
No iguanas were found during the survey.
Weather Conditions
Cloud (80% cover) and heavy rainfall were prevalent on both days of the survey; with
only a maximum of 3 hours of strong sunshine.
Figure 3: The ground cover of the north-western parts of the island is dominated by
boulders and loose cobbles.
Discussion
It is highly likely that not all resident herpetofauna were recorded during this survey.
The observed differences in skink abundance between different parts of the island are
probably not indicative of their distribution and require further investigation. The
presence of two endemic skinks: C. cryptoblepharus and E. concolor is encouraging.
Makodraga had been experiencing a dry spell prior to the survey. The effects of the
dry spell were evident in the dry (flammable) ground cover; making the island and its
resident fauna and flora very vulnerable to fires. The fact that not a single Iguana was
observed during the nocturnal survey was solely due to the very bad weather
conditions (wind and rain) encountered prior and during the survey.
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