Species Divergence and Pink Iguanas

Charles Darwin gave the Galapagos fame, but the gave the pink iguana the shaft. In his defense, Darwin couldn't have possibly cataloged every species in the Galapagos (it's hard to visit more than 100 islands), but that's of little consolation to this lizard, who is only found on one of the islands, on the shoulders of a volcano. He's only recently received his fifteen minutes of fame. But maybe he'll be assuaged with the knowledge that my daughters are thrilled at the discovery of pink iguanas (pink anything evokes squeals).

Maybe you scientists and evolutionists can weigh in on this one. Genetic analysis of the pink iguana supposedly hints at species divergence far earlier than Darwin's famous finches. How does that impact the conclusions Darwin arrived at? The article gives some good cursory information, but doesn't bring it home. So what? What does that mean? Why? Why not? Who am I? What's for dinner? Where was I? Australia...no the Galapagos.

Anyone?

UPDATE: Lab Boy points out that Greg Laden has a good post on this creature (it's also a much better post than mine, since Greg actually knows what he's talking about, and he addresses the evolution angle head on).

Thanks for the article, Ida.

Photo source: Michael Kahn via Reuters via Yahoo!