Afternoon! I research Tegus :)

[TeguResearcheR]

Hello everyone, excited to finally join! My name is Rachel, I am a Science Teacher, Graduate Student, Environmental Biologist, and Tegu mom of 4! I have worked with Tegus in captivity for ten years, and this past summer I began my thesis work studying Tegus in Mato Grosso Brazil. I continued my work by networking with University of Florida and Florida FWC on invasive Tegu capture and study in August. I returned this January to Florida to work with a trapper in Homestead FL where the invasive problem is estimated in the tens of thousands, and to continue to work with a few breeders I know. My research is a 3 year data collection analyzing the phenotypic (visual scale counts, unique markings, juvenile features) and genetic makeups (blood draw from tail, processed for mitochondrial taxonomy and genetic AFLP markers related to phenotypes) of the Tegus I process. My work is supported by graduate professor Dr. Wyatt Hoback (Oklahoma State) and veterinarian Dr. Derek Nolan (Cedar Creek Vet, MI), who have directly trained me on techniques, and certified my competence and expertise in all handling and procedures of this study.

The goal of this study is 3-fold:
1) To officially classify/declassify the Brazilian Blue Tegu (beginning by declaring it as not red/white, not black/gold, and not black/white)
2) To further document genetic relationships among 3 Tegu species with genetic marker AFLP tests (only mitochondrial has been done so far)
Tupinambis merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) – Black/White
Tupinambis rufescens (Günther, 1871) – Red/White
Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758) – Gold/Black
3) Trace the genetic variation among Tegus in comparing wild Tegus from Brazil, Columbia, and Argentina with wild invasive Florida Tegus, and captive bred Tegus across the United States.

In order to produce quality data a large sample size of all three species and any variety of color morphs or cross breeds must be acquired.

Because of this I am expanding my partnership from breeders, trappers, and FWC to individual pet owners across the U.S.! If you live in MI I am sampling from now until November 2015, if you live south or East of MI I am planning my next data travel trip for early August 2015!
GET in touch with me to make your pet a part of helping it's species! Plus I give you a few cool Tegu gifts as a thank you!
See you all in the message boards, and contact me if you have ANY questions about my work, tegu health/feeding/behavior/housing or any general questions a reptile specialist/biologist can answer

 

[N8bub]

Wow, you may be in the wrong place. We get people who want to know if they can feed their tegu turkey and cat foodas a staple diet. You come in swinging with mitochondrial data and wheww. Anyway glad to have some big brains aboard. Ok, so 2 things, first very interested in your work towards defining the blue tegu as its own species, subspecies, or remaining within the std umbrella of merianae. 2ndly I was under the impression that taxonomicly tupinambis had been changed to salvator at least in regards to merianae and rufescens. also is there any plans to do work with T. Duseni, yellow tegus . You should also get in touch with roadkill, he's a member on the forum and I believe he's a big brain like you, did some thesis work in Brazil with tegus I seem to recall reading?

 

[RedFox]

Hey Rachel,

As N8bub said, it sounds like some very interesting work you're doing! I live in Indianapolis and recently obtained an Argentine tegu from TegusOnly. I assume Rod, of TegusOnly, is the trapper you were working with in Homestead, FL. If that's the case, you may not need to see my tegu (or may have already seen him/her ). However, if you are interested in seeing him/her, you're more than welcome to. A buddy of mine here in Indy also just purchased a tegu from him so I'm sure you'd be welcome to see both of them if your research brings you as far south as central Indiana.

Good luck with your research!

Roger

 

[TeguResearcheR]

Thank you both!
Yes Salvator is NO longer used, all 7 species of tegu are Tupinambis. It was changed, and then changed back. In fact teguixin used to be merianae! As new information is presented taxonomiy constantly updates, it can get confusing! But the original findings are honored by date, unless refuted.

I would have already sampled any tegus through Tegus Only, except the new ones he is trapping this season who won't be sold yet. Thank you for he offer, I probably already saw both your tegus! If you guys know anyone with a Blue or red have them contact me, those are the samples I am short on .

 

[TeguBuzz]

Welcome.