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BIODIVERSITY& NATURE
Galapagos Penguin
The
Galapagos penguin (Sphenicus mendiculus) is the second smallest
penguin species in the world. It measures approximately 35 centimetres
in height. It is the only species found in the Northern hemisphere
and the only species that nests in the tropics. The largest
reproductive colonies are found to the west of Isabela and on
Fernandina, where the waters are rich in food.
They feed while swimming at great speed under the water. These
birds mate and stay together for life; they are somewhat blind
and emit a sound similar to the braying of a donkey. It is easy
to see these birds at the dock in Puerto Villamil feeding or
sunbathing on the rocks.
Flamingos
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The
Galapagos Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber var. gliphorinchus)
has a population of around 700 individuals (it is an endangered
species). They live in saline lagoons or brackish water and
feed on tiny animals that float in the water. They reproduce
during the warm season (January to May) and their main nesting
area is in the South of Isabela Island.
Near Puerto Villamil in the Diablas lagoon you can see flamingos
during daylight hours. At night they migrate to the Poza de
las Salinas in the centre of town. From 6pm you can usually
see flamingos in this area. The largest population of flamingos
is found at Fifth Beach (South Isabela) where flamingos can
live up to fifteen years.
White Tip Sharks
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The
white tip sharks (Triaenodon obesus) are carnivorous animals
that are non aggressive towards human beings. During the day
they rest near the coast in mangrove swamps and lava canals
so that the fish can remove their parasites. They feed at night.
Just ten minutes from Puerto Villamil you can visit an islet
known as ´Las Tintoreras` where you will see white tip
sharks relaxing in a lava canal of crystal clear water. You
can snorkel in this unique habitat and watch these majestic
animals glide slowly through the depths.
Darwin Finches
The Darwin Finches are the most common birds on the Galapagos
Islands and can be seen in the arid and wet zones. Of the 14
species of Darwin Finch in the world, thirteen are found on
these islands and the fourteenth species on the Coco Islands.
Some populations are commonly found but others such as the mangrove
finch which has a population of approximately 100, is only found
in one particular area on Isabela Island.
The feeding of finches is very varied and depends on each species,
some eat fruit and seeds, other insects, and some can even suck
the blood from marine birds on the islands when they can't find
their usual food. Certain varieties of finch clean the ticks
from the shells of the giant tortoises.
Species of finch found in Galapagos:
1. Small billed ground finch Geospiza fuliginosa
2. Medium billed ground finch Geospiza fortis
3. Large billed ground finch Geospiza magnirostris
4. Sharpbill ground finch Geospiza difficillis
5. Cactus finch Geospiza scandens
6. Large cactus finch Geospiza conirostris
7. Vegetarian finch Platyspiza crassirostris
8. Small tree finch Camarhynchus parvulus
9. Medium tree finch Camarhynchus pauper
10. Large tree finch Camarhynchus psittacula
11. Carpenter finch Cactospiza pallida
12. Mangrove finch Cactospiza heliobates
13. Warbler finch Certhidea olivacea
Giant Tortoises
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The
giant tortoises are the emblem of the Galapagos Islands. Isabela
Island is the only island in the world that has 5 different
sub-species of these reptiles. Each sub species is geographically
isolated in its own volcano: Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra, Alcedo,
Darwin and Wolf.
On Isabela Island there is a Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
where tortoises are bred and reproduce in captivity. These tortoises
are then later released into the wild in an attempt to increase
the populations of these reptiles. In the breeding centre you
will find species from Sierra Negra (Geochelone guntheri) and
Cerro Azul (Geochelone vicina) two of the most vulnerable species.
Estimated population of giant tortoises on Isabela:
- Cerro Azul Volcano - several hundred.
- Sierra Negra Volcano - several hundred.
- Alcedo Volcano - 3.000 to 4.000.
- Darwin Volcano - 1.000 to 2.000.
- Wolf Volcano - 2.000 to 3.000.
Did you know…the
only native predator of the giant tortoises is the Galapagos
sparrow hawk Buteo galapaguensis.
Marine Iguanas
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The
marine iguana (Amblyrhyncus cristatus) is an endemic species
found only in Galapagos. They are found throughout the archipelago
including urban areas.
Marine Iguanas vary according to where they are found, for example
the most colourful iguanas are found on Española Island,
the smallest on Genovesa Island and the largest on Isabela and
Fernandina. There are 7 sub species and an estimated population
of between 200.000 - 300.000 individuals. They can live for
up to 60 years.
Marine iguanas are vegetarian and feed on seaweed. They are
expert divers; adults can dive up to 12 metres deep and can
breathe underwater for up to 50 minutes. Juvenile iguanas feed
off exposed rocks.
Did you know…the
marine iguana is the only true marine lizard in the world!
Boobies
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There
are three species of boobies found on the Galapagos Islands:
blue footed boobies, red footed boobies and masked boobies.
Masked boobies are the easiest to see as they feed in coastal
areas.
EThese sea birds feed by hurling themselves from an altitude
of 25 metres into the sea. They differ from other sea birds
in that they are always found close to the coast. A particularity
of the boobies is the nuptial dance they perform prior to breeding
where they raise their blue feet into the air. After breeding
they turn their heads and cross their wings behind their back.
Their nests are surrounded by excrement (guano).
It is common for them to feed en masse when they find huge banks
of fish. The population of boobies found in Galapagos is estimated
at between 10 - 12 thousand individuals
Vermillion Fly Catcher
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The
vermillion fly catcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) lives in the highlands
of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela and other islands.
The population of this bird found in San Cristóbal is
a different species: Pyrocephalus rubinus dubius. On Marchena
Island it can be observed on the coast.
Males have a bright red breast and crown, their back, tail and
the border of their eyes is black in colour. Females have a
yellow breast and a brown back.
The vermillion fly catchers feed on insects. They reproduce
in the warm, rainy season when insects are more abundant. They
build their nests with moss and lichen in the trees.
Pelicans
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The
Galapagos pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis urinator) is a sub
species endemic to the archipelago. They normally fly alone
or in small groups, diving in search of fish in shallow coastal
waters. They can easily capture prey up to 35 centimetres in
length and can store 2 to 3 gallons of water in the pouch below
their beaks. They nest in mangroves and bushes and lay 2 to
3 eggs.
LANDSCAPES
Sandy beaches
The
south of Isabela Island has the most extensive beaches in the
archipelago. Puerto Villamil has a three kilometre long, sandy
white beach where numerous sea birds can be observed such as
boobies, frigate birds and gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas
lounge on the lava rocks basking in the sun. Sea lions use this
area to rest and reproduce, marine turtles to nest and various
species of birds to feed on crustaceans that are found buried
in the sand.
Lagoons and mangroves
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This
is one of the most incredible eco systems found on Isabela.
It is of great importance to scientists, educators and tourists.
In the lagoons and mangroves life processes take pace every
day. They have become nesting areas for various species of birds,
reproductions sites for fish, resting areas for marine turtles
and white tip sharks and sea lions and marine iguanas use their
shade to protect themselves from the sun. In the Galapagos archipelago
there are approx. 1000 hectares of mangroves. There are 4 different
species of mangrove: red, white, button and black mangrove and
50 lagoons.
Dry Forest
Dry forest occupies the mainland mass of the Galapagos Islands.
Located in low altitude zones, it is in these areas where the
main varieties of native and endemic plants are found. They
have adapted so they can resist the long droughts that occur
on the islands. Many of these species lose their leaves in the
dry season but change colour a few days after the first of the
winter rains.
The majority of land birds reproduce in the winter season when
the forests become green again and produce a sufficient quantity
of seeds and insects to feed the finches.
Lava fields
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The
youngest of the Galapagos Islands are located on the west
side of the archipelago. It is for this reason that Isabela
and Fernandina are still in full volcanic activity and have
been formed by extensive lava fields with scarce vegetation
due to the slow colonization of plants in dry, stony ground.
On Isabela you can observe incredible lava formations such
as those known as pahoe-hoe which are flows of lava that have
formed sheets or platforms and lava type 'aa' which is sharp,
porous formations of irregular shape.
At Volcano Chico and Sulphur Volcano you can see fumaroles
in a landscape dominated by streams of petrified lava from
recent eruptions.
Transition zone
The surprising change of climate and vegetation in very short
distances is one of the more surprising elements of Galapagos.
This is due to various factors, the main factor being the
collision of the south east trade winds that are high in humidity,
with the highlands. It is for this reason that in a trip from
the coast of south Isabela through the highlands to Volcano
Sierra Negra, you pass through dry forests of cactus and scrubland
and wet forest with large trees. Between these two zones you
find a transition zone where little by little the cacti (Opuntia
echios) and palo santo (Bursera graveolens) trees disappear
to give way to soapberry trees (Sapindus saponaria) and hawthorn
(Zanthosylum fagara).
Wet forest zone
One of the main threats to native vegetation on the Galapagos
Islands is certain plants that have been introduced by man
and have become "invasive species", many of which
have become impossible to eradicate. The wet forest zone is
the eco system most affected by these invasive species.
In this zone you can find enormous cedar trees (Cedrela odorata)
which is a species originating in the American tropics and
the majestic ceibo (Ceiba pentandra) that were sown by the
first settlers on Isabela Island.
Pampa Zone
IIsabela once had the most extensive area of pampas in Galapagos.
Today however, due to the invasion of guava (Psidium guajava),
only a very small area remains. The Galapagos National Park
has a permanent program to control this pest in the pampas
zone with the objective of allowing the normal development
of native and endemic vegetation on the island.
One of the most endangered and interesting plants in this
zone is the tree fern of Galapagos (Cyathea waterviana) which
can be observed in the site known as El Cura.
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