Hybrid Land Iguana-Marine Iguana, South Plaza, Galapagos

Isla Plaza Sur, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (August 2023)

This image was taken during the Gems of Galapagos trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). An eight-day cruise was undertaken aboard the catamaran Nemo II following the south itinerary:

Day 1 Baltra (midday start), North Seymour (pm)
Day 2 San Cristobal: Lobos Island - Kicker Rock (am), Brujo Hill (pm)
Day 3 Floreana: Champion Islet - Cormorant Point (am), Post Office Bay - The Baroness Viewpoint (pm)
Day 4 Espanola: Osborn Islet - Gardner Island - Gardner Bay (am), Suarez Point (pm)
Day 5 Santa Cruz: Highlands (am), Charles Darwin Station (pm)
Day 6 South Plaza (am), Santa Fe (pm)
Day 7 Bartolome (am), Chinese Hat (pm)
Day 8 Daphne Major - Baltra (8:30 am end)

Status is classified as Vulnerable. Galapagos Land Iguana is one of three species endemic to the Galapagos; the other two are Santa Fe land iguana Conolophus pallidus and Galapagos pink land iguana Conolophus marthae.
For more information on this species of iguana see the following links:
Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) / Wikipedia
Galápagos Land Iguana Conolophus subcristatus / IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Galapagos land iguana Conolophus subcristatus / Galapagos Conservation Trust

South Plaza is the only island in the Galapagos where Galapagos Land Iguanas and Marine Iguanas are known to inter-breed leading to hybrid iquanas (for more information see here).

Shooting Time 06:48
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/2000
Av(Aperture Value) 4.5
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 800

Latitude 00 34 57.9 S
Longitude 90 09 53.0 W
Altitude 17.90m