Effect of diet on nitrogenous wastes of the iguana, Cyclura nubila

Abstract

1. 1. Cuban iguanas excrete nitrogenous wastes as precipitated urate and in liquid urine. 2. 2. Diet significantly influenced the relative amounts of nitrogenous wastes in liquid urine as well as the amount of precipitated urate. 3. 3. A diet of cabbage and carrots resulted in the smallest amount of precipitated urate but the greatest amount of soluble urate. A tuna fish diet resulted in the largest amount of precipitated urate. 4. 4. Urea and ammonia were produced in small but measurable amounts. The concentration of urea was greatest in the liquid urine produced by a diet of tuna. 5. 5. The diet of cabbage and carrots resulted in the largest amount of nitrogenous wastes in liquid urine, but the diet of tuna produced the largest amount of nitrogenous wastes considering both liquid urine and precipitated urate.