In the pink

" In 2009 we are predicting the Darwin effect will encourage more visitors to Ecuador and could see the Galapagos islands join Macchu Picchu at the top of the continent's 'must-visit' list, " says tour operator The Adventure Company. The company reflects the views of many in the tourist industry that believes the Galapagos Islands are likely to attract increased numbers of visitors this year, which sees two important anniversaries for Charles Darwin. And the new description of a 'pink' land iguana is only likely to boost tourist interest. When Darwin visited the Galapagos and made key observations that were to help him in writing the Origin of Species, he observed both marine and land iguanas but did not encounter a rare pink, black-striped iguana, now called 'rosada', which surprisingly remained unseen until 1986. The new study is reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (published online). Land iguanas are among the most spectacular representative species of the Galapagos Islands. They once lived in many areas of the archipelago but are now restricted as a result of human — and domestic animal — encroachment. Two species of Galapagos land iguanas are currently recognised: Conolophus pallidus and C. subcristatus, with the former only occurring on Santa Fe, whereas C. subcristatus is present on Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835. During the five weeks of his stay in the archipelago, he did not explore Volcan Wolf — the northernmost volcano on Isabella. He noticed and commented on both marine and land iguanas, but did not encounter a distinct form of land iguana that occurs only on the Wolf volcano. Surprisingly this form remained unrecorded despite many other visits by scientists to the volcano. Feature Now, a team of researchers led by Gabriele Gentile, at the Tor Vergata University in Rome, with colleagues from Ecuador and the US, has carried out a genetic study of the rosada iguana in comparison with its better-known neighbours. The most surprising result, the researchers The Darwin anniversaries are set to create record tourist visits to the Galapagos Islands this year and the discovery of a new 'rosada' species of land iguana there can only add to the attraction. But managing the numbers is a growing problem. Nigel Williams reports. Under pressure: Tourists are vital to the survival of the Galapagos's fauna but protecting the fragile environment is a growing challenge. (Photo: Morales/Photolibrary.)