Reproductive and Seasonal Impacts on Rock Iguana Health: A Cross-sectional Study of Microbiome and Physiological Changes

In this study, we examined how natural seasonal cycles and sex-based differences interact together using wild northern rock iguana as a study system. We collected samples during two seasons: reproductive (June) and post-reproductive (September) in 2016, this chapter demonstrates that sex and season both shaped microbiome composition. Reproductive females exhibited reduced microbial diversity during breeding compared to males and post-reproductive females, likely reflecting reproductive demands and dietary shifts. Physiological metrics including triglycerides, glucose, oxidative stress, and body mass index also influenced microbiome diversity, though the microbial community remained relatively stable across seasons.