Iguana (Green)

## Evolutionary Timeline of the Green Iguana The green iguana (*Iguana iguana*) belongs to the Iguanidae family, with roots tracing back to ancient reptiles. Its evolution involved adaptations to tropical environments, herbivory, and arboreal lifestyles, driven by climatic changes and predation pressures. ### Key Milestones: - **~240 million years ago (Triassic)**: Emergence of squamates (lizards and snakes) from early diapsid reptiles, setting the stage for lizard diversification amid continental shifts. - **~150-100 million years ago (Cretaceous)**: Divergence of Iguania clade, with ancestors adapting to warmer climates and developing traits like strong limbs for climbing. - **~65 million years ago (Paleogene)**: Post-extinction radiation; iguanids spread to the Americas, influenced by isolation after the K-Pg event and evolving herbivorous diets in lush forests. - **~5-2 million years ago (Pliocene-Pleistocene)**: Speciation of modern green iguanas in Central/South America, shaped by ice age fluctuations, leading to enhanced thermoregulation and camouflage in tropical habitats.