Anolis cuvieri

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Anolis cuvieri
Anolis cuvieri image 2.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Dactyloidae
Genus: Anolis
Species:
A. cuvieri
Binomial name
Anolis cuvieri
Merrem, 1820 [2] [3]
Synonyms [4] [5]
  • Anolis cuvieri
    Merrem, 1820
  • Xiphosurus cuvieri
    — Fitzinger, 1826
  • Dactyloa cuvieri
    — Wagler, 1830
  • Ctenonotus (Semiurus) cuvieri
    — Fitzinger, 1843
  • Anolis cuvieri
    — Boulenger, 1885
  • Xiphosurus cuvieri
    — Nicholson et al., 2012
  • Ctenonotus cuvieri
    — Nicholson et al., 2018

Anolis cuvieri (Vernacular Spanish: lagarto verde, [5] [6] lagarto chipojo; [7] Vernacular English: Puerto Rican giant anole, [5] [6] [8] Cuvier's anole, [5] [9] green giant anole.) [5] is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico, [10] and is common in the Toro Negro State Forest. [11]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, cuvieri, is in honor of French naturalist Georges Cuvier. [12]

Description

A. cuvieri is a relatively large (for an anole) lizard with a mean snout–vent length (SVL) of up to 132 mm (5.2 in). It has a large, robust skull and long hind legs, as well as a serrated ridge of raised scales along its back. Like most anoles, this species has large flattened disks under the second and third phalanges of each toe which enable it to adhere to vertical surfaces. This species is predominantly green in body coloration with some individuals displaying faint light green stripes on the sides and dorsal surface.[ citation needed ]

In some specimens, particularly large adult males, the head is heavily blotched with sky blue coloration which suffuses onto the nape. This coloration may extend onto the neck area or even onto the dorsal surface running the length of the spine. In females where the blue coloration is present it is only as a sky blue tint on the head which does not extend onto the neck.[ citation needed ]

Rare brown morph of A.cuvieri. Anolis cuvieri -- Geoff Gallice 002.jpg
Rare brown morph of A.cuvieri.

In both males and females the orbital area is either bright yellow or vibrant yellow-green. Both male and female Puerto Rican giant anoles possess a large dewlap; however, it is noticeably larger and colored bright yellow in males whereas in females it is light green with a blue green superior portion and faint black stripes running horizontally across the upper two thirds. The coloration of A. cuvieri is ontogenic, with juveniles of both sexes being gray brown or brown in color with brown vertical stripes running along the entire dorsal surface of the body as well as the limbs. As they mature, juveniles gradually acquire the green adult coloration. There also exists a rare brown adult morph of A. cuvieri which is solid brown in body coloration with black spots on the sides and neck and a yellow blotched orbital area. Both sexes possess a large erectile crest on the tail, though it is usually higher in males.[ citation needed ]

Habitat

A. cuvieri belongs to a group of anoles known as crown giants, these are large species which inhabit the uppermost canopy of tall trees and rarely descend to ground level. A. cuvieri is only found in intact forest regions where large quantities of large trees are present. They are typically active several meters above the ground and are found mainly in palm, Ficus , and other large trees. This species locomotes by jumping from branch to branch within the canopy, a lifestyle for which it has evolved long hind limbs. It is a mesic species, preferring areas of wet forest over more xeric conditions, where it is rarely found.[ citation needed ]

Diet

Like all anoles, A. cuvieri is primarily insectivorous, feeding on arboreal insects such as large beetles and lepidopterans. This species is also an opportunist species, and its robust skull and powerful bite allow it to take a wide range of prey including other anoles, juveniles of its own species and small birds as well as large snails and occasionally fruit.[ citation needed ]

Behaviour

Both sexes of A. cuvieri are extremely territorial and aggressive. Males, however, are particularly aggressive not only towards other males but also towards any organism or object that the anole perceives to be a threat. Males that encounter intruders in their territory will generally perform elaborate bodily displays, extending and recoiling the dewlap and performing various head bobs or pushups. This is usually done well before the intruder manages to get within close proximity of the defender and the display is often successful at warding off the intruder. However, if the intruding male is persistent then a fight may ensue with the males locking jaws and biting at each other's extremities until either male either gives up and flees or dies of exhaustion. Fights may also prove fatal if a serious wound, such as an amputated limb, occurs and subsequently becomes infected. This species attempts to bite when handled and its powerful jaws are capable of breaking skin. It may also display at a potential predator or captor if one is sighted. Like many reptiles the mouth of this species harbors Salmonella and an infection may occur if a bite breaks the skin.[ citation needed ]

Threat and conservation

A. cuvieri is currently under threat in Puerto Rico due to the effects of past deforestation and environmental degradation. It is now only found in a select few areas of intact natural forest but its population appears to be stable. During Puerto Rico's period of rampant deforestation in the early twentieth century this species disappeared almost entirely and was not sighted for many years. It was feared extinct until after the agricultural collapse in Puerto Rico (late 1950s) which resulted in an end to deforestation. After this, the species made a remarkable recovery and, though its distribution is still limited, it has become quite common in some of the remaining areas of natural rainforest on the island.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

Dactyloidae Family of reptiles

Dactyloidae are a family of lizards commonly known as anoles and native to warmer parts of the Americas, ranging from southeastern United States to Paraguay. Instead of treating it as a family, some authorities prefer to treat it as a subfamily, Dactyloidae, of the family Iguanidae. In the past they were included in the family Polychrotidae together with Polychrus, but the latter genus is not closely related to the true anoles.

<i>Anolis carolinensis</i> Transfer of genetic material from one species to another

Anolis carolinensis or green anole is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizard native to the southeastern United States and introduced to islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. A small to medium-sized lizard, the green anole is a trunk-crown ecomorph and can change its color to several shades from brown to green.

Brown anole Species of lizard

The brown anole, also known commonly as the Cuban brown anole, or De la Sagra's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, via the importation and exportation of plants where the anole would lay eggs in the soil of the pots, and is now found in Florida and as far north in the United States as southern Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and Southern California. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.

Dewlap Skin hanging below the jaw of animals

A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin or similar flesh that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. More loosely, it can be various similar structures in the neck area, such as those caused by a double chin or the submandibular vocal sac of a frog. More generally, it can be any hanging mass of skin, such as a fold of loose skin on an elderly person's neck, or the wattle of a bird. Dewlaps can be considered as a caruncle, defined as "a small, fleshy excrescence that is a normal part of an animal's anatomy".

<i>Anolis roosevelti</i> Rare or extinct species of reptile

Anolis roosevelti, also known commonly as the Virgin Islands giant anole, Roosevelt's giant anole or the Culebra giant anole, is an extremely rare or possibly extinct species of lizard of the genus Anolis in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to the Virgin Islands and Vieques.

Knight anole Species of lizard

The knight anole is the largest species of anole in the Dactyloidae family. Other common names include Cuban knight anole or Cuban giant anole, highlighting its native country, but it has also been introduced to Florida. In its native Cuba, this large anole is called chupacocote.

<i>Anolis pulchellus</i> Species of reptile

Anolis pulchellus, the Puerto Rican bush anole, snake anole, or Puerto Rican anole, is a small anole lizard of the family Dactyloidae. The species is among the most common lizards in Puerto Rico, and also native to Vieques, Culebra, and the Virgin Islands.

<i>Anolis cristatellus</i> Species of reptile

Anolis cristatellus is a small species of anole, belonging to the Dactyloidae family of reptiles, which is native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with introduced populations in locations around the Caribbean. The males of A. cristatellus are easily recognizable by the fin running down the top of the tail, which is known as a "caudal crest". The females also have these crests, but these are smaller than those of the males. It is often quite common in many areas on Puerto Rico, where it can be seen during the day passing the time on the lower parts of tree trunks, or on fences and the walls of buildings in urban areas, sometimes venturing down onto the ground in order to lay eggs, have a snack, or do other cursorial activities. Like many anoles, this species displays the characteristic behaviour of doing push-ups as well as inflating a pizza-like flap of coloured skin on their throat, known as a dewlap, in order to show others how hip they are, and thus attract mates or intimidate rivals. The species is known locally as the lagartijo común, and in English it is sometimes called either the crested anole, the common Puerto Rican anole, or the Puerto Rican crested anole. There are two allopatric subspecies found in different geographical areas, with slightly different coloured dewlaps and crests.

<i>Anolis garmani</i> Species of lizard

Anolis garmani, the Jamaican giant anole, also known as the Jamaican anole or Jamaica giant anole, is a species of anole, a lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Jamaica, but has been introduced to Florida.

<i>Anolis occultus</i> Species of reptile

The Puerto Rican Twig Anole or Dwarf Anole is a species of small, arboreal anole endemic to Puerto Rico and primarily inhabiting the Cordillera Central from the Sierra de Cayey range in the Southeast to the central-western ranges of Maricao. A mostly grey to olive-brown bodied lizard, A. occultus is the smallest of the Puerto Rican Anoles with a snout to vent length of 34-42 mm. In comparison to other twig anoles, A. occultus is extremely cryptic through its unique sleeping behaviors and mottled pattern. Sleeping behavior including site selection minimizes the probability of predator encounter along with A. occultus’ extensive list of antipredator behaviors.

<i>Anolis bimaculatus</i> Species of lizard

Anolis bimaculatus, the panther anole, also known as the St. Eustatius anole or Statia Bank tree anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. It is found on the St. Kitts Bank of islands, which comprise Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Sint Eustatius.

<i>Anolis roquet</i> Species of lizard

Anolis roquet, also called Martinique anole, Martinique's anole, or savannah anole, is a species of anole lizard. It is endemic to the island of Martinique, located in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles.

<i>Anolis grahami</i> Species of lizard

Anolis grahami, commonly known as the Jamaican turquoise anole or the Graham’s anole, is a species of lizard native to the island of Jamaica, and has now also been introduced to the territory of Bermuda. It is one of many different species of anole lizards found in Jamaica.

<i>Anolis</i> ecomorphs Species of lizard

The ecomorph concept is a term first coined by Ernest Edward Williams in 1972 which he defined as a “species with the same structural habitat/niche, similar in morphology and behavior, but not necessarily close phyletically.” Williams first applied this definition to the Greater Antillean anoles upon observing their evolutionary radiation, although it has since been used widely elsewhere.

<i>Anolis podocarpus</i> Species of lizard

Anolis podocarpus is a species of anole lizard in the family Dactyloidae. It was first described by Fernando P. Ayala-Varela and Omar Torres-Carvajal in 2010, the type locality being the Podocarpus National Park at Romerillos Alto in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, Ecuador on the southeastern slopes of the Andes. The specific name refers to the Podocarpus trees which are found in the Park.

<i>Anolis stratulus</i> Species of reptile

Anolis stratulus is a moderately-sized species of anole found in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. It is a gray-colored lizard spotted with brown markings. It is arboreal, usually found positioned on tree bark on branches in the canopies of forest trees, where in some areas of Puerto Rico it can be incredibly abundant, with tens of thousands of the lizards being present per hectare.

<i>Anolis poncensis</i> Species of reptile

Anolis poncensis is a species of lizard of the family of Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico. It was first identified in Ponce, in the hills three miles east of the city. The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources considers it a "vulnerable species".

<i>Anolis evermanni</i> Species of lizard

Anolis evermanni, the emerald anole, Evermann's anole, or small green anole, is a species of lizard included within the family Dactyloidae. Anolis evermanni are native to and most commonly found in Puerto Rico, mainly in wet forests. Anolis evermanni are medium-sized lizards and bright emerald-green in color. Anolis evermanni are studied for their behavior as well as the evolution of the Dactyloidae family which are known as anoles, a group of lizards. Anoles are found throughout the Americas and are related to iguanas.

<i>Anolis gundlachi</i> Species of lizard

Anolis gundlachi, also commonly known as the yellow-chinned anole, Gundlach's anole, or yellow-beard anole, is an oviparous, sexually dimorphic species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico and lives in mountainous forests at high elevations. The diet of A. gundlachi consists mostly of insects. This species is also known for signaling other lizards through a modulated head bob display, with varying bobbing amplitudes and patterns based on an individual's distance from other lizards.

References

  1. ↑ Mahler, D.L. & Rodriguez, C. (2020). "Anolis cuvieri ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T74994846A75171526. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/74994846/75171526. Downloaded on 29 March 2021.
  2. ↑ Anolis cuvieri - Classifications: Cuvier's Anole. Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  3. ↑ Anolis cuvieri Merrem, 1820. Archived March 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). Taxonomic Serial No.: 173888. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  4. ↑ Taxonomic Serial No.: 564554. ITIS. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Anolis cuvieri MERREM, 1820. The Reptile Database. (www.reptile-database.org) Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  6. 1 2 Volume 1: Land Cover, Vertebrate Species Distributions, and Land Stewardship. William A. Gould, Caryl Alarcón, Brick Fevold, Michael E. Jiménez, Sebastián Martinuzzi, Gary Potts, Maya Quiñones, Mariano Solórzano, and Eduardo Ventosa. The Puerto Rico Gap Analysis Project. (Publication Number: IITF-GTR-39) USDA. Forest Service. International Institute of Tropical Forestry. March 2008. Page 86. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  7. ↑ 2002 Wildlife Facts: Giant Anole. El Yunque National Forest. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  8. ↑ Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
  9. ↑ Anolis cuvieri - Names: 4 Common Names. Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Anolis cuvieri. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  11. ↑ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro. Archived August 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. July 2008. [Publication/Issue: P-030] Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  12. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Anolis cuvieri, p. 63).

Further reading


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