Researchers from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) have reported the first known natural nest of the Yucatecan spiny-tailed iguana found inside a toxic tree. The discovery was made in Parque Nacional Mirador-Río Azul, located in northern Guatemala, by students Frida Yanes, Adriana Echeverría, and Christian Chinchilla under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Ariano Sánchez.
The team found an adult female iguana, also known as the Yucatecan spiny-tailed iguana, inside a hollow trunk of a chechén negro tree, which is native to the region’s dry tropical forests. According to their observations, three freshly laid eggs were present on a bed of decomposed wood. Remnants of old eggshells suggested that the same site may have been used for nesting in previous years. This behavior indicates possible site fidelity for nesting among these reptiles.
"The position of the mother inside the trunk suggests she was likely protecting her nest, something unusual for reptiles of this type," stated the research team. "The discovery was documented with photographs and detailed analysis. Therefore, it became the first scientific record of a wild nest for this species."
The chechén negro tree produces an irritating sap that can burn skin on contact with people and animals. Researchers believe that this toxicity could help protect iguana eggs from potential predators. Additionally, because the nesting site is located about one meter above ground in an area prone to flooding, this height may prevent eggs from drowning during rainy seasons.
The project was led by M.Sc. researchers from UVG and other institutions, with participation from Rony García and Seyner Luis Valenzuela of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as well as Walter García from CONAP.
The Yucatecan spiny-tailed iguana is endemic to dry forests and thorny scrublands in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It is currently considered endangered due to habitat loss and environmental threats. Understanding its nesting habits can support improved conservation strategies for its threatened habitats.
"This detail led researchers to think that the species might return to the same place to nest—a behavior known as site fidelity," said those involved in the study.
Findings like these highlight Guatemala’s biodiversity and contribute valuable information for conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered species such as this iguana.
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