Defense Date

4-20-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Omar T. Eldakar

Second Advisor

Dr. Andrew Ozga

Third Advisor

Dr. Christopher Blanar

Keywords

reptile, green iguana, microbiome, microbiota, 16S rRNA, invasive, iguana iguana

Abstract

The common green iguana (Iguana iguana) was introduced to South Florida in 1965 and has since been an especially pernicious threat both environmentally and economically. This highly invasive species is also expanding in range and populations at an astonishing rate. Understanding how this reptile is able to adapt and thrive in novel environments is of imperative need in order to begin managing their disruptive populations. Notwithstanding their negative impacts and significance, the microbiome of wild populations has not yet been characterized. Here, using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, this study is the first to characterize the microbiome composition of 31 wild individuals across anatomical sites (the oral cavity and cloaca) and geographic locations (East and West Coasts of Florida; n=62 paired samples after filtering). Given that South Florida represents regions of differing climates, habitats, and environmental variability, this study provides insight into how anatomical sites of an individual and how geographic locations influence the microbial communities in this invasive reptile. We analyze the microbial taxonomic composition, alpha diversity, beta diversity, and linear discriminant analysis between anatomical sampling sites and geographic locations. We find evidence of dominant bacterial phyla including Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and also taxa unique to each group. Significant differences in microbial diversity were revealed between oral and cloacal sites, with cloacal sites showing greater diversity than oral sites. Greater differences were observed across coasts, with East Coast populations exhibiting both greater diversity and dispersion of microbial communities than West Coast populations. This research emphasizes the need for continued research into green iguana microbiomes and how they may assist in shaping their adaptability and invasive potential.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9427-1877

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