Anolis nelsoni

Anolis nelsoni
Conservation status
	; Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Dactyloidae
Genus:	Anolis
Species:	A. nelsoni
Binomial name
	Anolis nelsoni; Barbour, 1914
Synonyms
	Anolis sagrei nelsoni; Barbour, 1914; Norops nelsoni; (Brbour, 1914); Norops sagrei nelsoni; (Barbour, 1914);

Last updated January 20, 2026

Anolis nelsoni, also known commonly as Nelson's anole and the Swan Islands anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to the Swan Islands of Honduras.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, nelsoni, is in honor of American ornithologist Edward William Nelson.^[3]^: 188

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Anolis nelsoni is forest, at elevations from sea level to 10 m (33 ft).^[1]

Abundance

On a videography expedition carried out in May 2022 by biologists Daniel Germer, Estefanía Cálix and the physician Alfonso Auerbach, Anolis nelsoni was found to be an abundant species on Great Swan island. About one A. nelsoni was seen on every other tree and occasionally inside the infrastructure.^{[ citation needed ]}

Diet

Anolis nelsoni preys predominately upon ants, but also upon other insects, spiders, gastropods, and smaller individuals of its own species, and it also eats some plant matter.^[1]

Reproduction

Anolis nelsoni is oviparous.^[2]

Taxonomy

Anolis nelsoni is a member of the Anolis sagrei species group.^[2]

References

1 2 3 Townsend, J.H. (2021). "Anolis nelsoni ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T74995991A75171736.en. Accessed on 18 January 2026.
1 2 3 4 Species Anolis nelsoni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
↑ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

Barbour, T. (1914). "A Contribution to the Zoögeography of the West Indies, with Especial Reference to Amphibians and Reptiles". Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy at Harvard College. 44 (2): 205–359. (Anolis nelsoni, new species, p. 287).
McCranie, J.R.; Köhler, G. (2015). "The Anoles (Reptila: Squamata: Dactyloidae: Anolis: Norops) of Honduras. Systematics, Distribution, and Conservation". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 161 (11): 1–280. (Norops nelsoni, p. 114).
Schwartz, A.; Henderson, R.W. (1991). Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions. and Natural History. Gainesville: University of Florida Press. ISBN 978-0813010496. 720 pp. (Anolis sagrei nelsoni).
Schwartz, A.; Thomas, R. (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Anolis sagrei nelsoni, p. 101).

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[iucn-1] 1 2 3 Townsend, J.H. (2021). "Anolis nelsoni ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T74995991A75171736.en. Accessed on 18 January 2026.

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 4 Species Anolis nelsoni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

[3] Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

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