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Fiji Iguanas Rafted 5,000 Miles from North America 34 Million Years Ago

Genetic analysis confirms the longest-known transoceanic dispersal by a terrestrial vertebrate, offering insights into evolutionary processes and conservation efforts.

A Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) resting on a coconut palm on the island of Fiji in the South Pacific. The four species of iguanas that inhabit Fiji and Tonga today are descended from ancestors that colonized the island within the past 34 million years, probably by rafting 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from western North America.
green and white striped iguana on a branch
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Overview

  • A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Fiji iguanas traveled 5,000 miles from North America to Fiji on vegetation rafts approximately 34 million years ago.
  • Genetic analysis shows that Fiji iguanas are most closely related to North American desert iguanas, ruling out earlier theories of South American or Pacific origins.
  • The iguanas likely arrived in Fiji around the time the islands were formed by volcanic activity, between 31 and 34 million years ago.
  • Iguanas' resistance to dehydration and starvation made them well-suited for such a long oceanic journey, which may have taken several months.
  • The findings highlight the role of rare evolutionary events and provide critical insights for conserving endangered Fiji iguana species threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.