Anolis oculatus, the Dominica anole, Dominican anole, eyed anole or zandoli, is a species of anole lizard. It is endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica, where it is found in most environments. The species is found in a diverse range of color forms, which one herpetologist once classified as four subspecies, which most other scientists did not recognise because the forms gradually inter-grade with one another. Two later researchers have instead promoted the "ecotypes" concept, hypothesizing the color forms are maintained by the ecological conditions of the surrounding environment, despite being genetically indistinguishable. The morphology of some traits is subject to clinal variation, gradually changing from one side of the island to the other, or from sea level to the hilltops. The ground color ranges from pale tan or yellow to deep green or brown. It also has patterned markings that range from light-colored speckling to complex marbled patterns, and some populations also have large black-ringed "eye" spots on their flanks.
The Dominican anole spends much of the time in trees but mainly hunts on the ground. Small insects make up the bulk of its prey, with soft-bodied invertebrates and small vertebrates hunted less frequently. Long-living and late maturing for anoles, the Dominican anole can usually breed from around two to three months of age. Females lay eggs, and breeding can occur at any time of year. Clutches number one or rarely two eggs and are laid under rocks or leaves on the ground. Although presently widespread and common on Dominica, in 2007 some authors opined that it may face competition from A. cristatellus, an anole from Puerto Rico, which was introduced a few years earlier.
History and taxonomy
A Dominican anole clinging to a tree branch; during active periods, it typically faces downward to scan the ground for food, mates, and competitors. North Caribbean ecotype. Cabrits National Park, Dominica.
The Dominican anole is locally known as the zandoli, or tree lizard.[2] The indigenous Island Caribs considered its presence in their home to be a sign of "good spirits" according to Honychurch.
According to Malhotra and Thorpe the American paleontologist and herpetologistEdward Drinker Cope gave a cursory description of Anolis alliaceus in 1864, which now seen as a synonym of the species A. marmoratus from another island, on the basis of sixteen specimens at the British Museum that lacked locality data. He later separately described Xiphosurus oculatus in 1879, from thirteen specimens in the U.S. National Museum (now the Smithsonian); the name oculatus (Latin, "eyed") refers to its distinctive lateral spots. The two taxa were synonymised in 1888 by the German-British zoologist Albert Günther.[3][disputed–discuss]
Because of the variation in colour there was some question as to whether the Dominican anole comprised multiple species or only one.[4] The American herpetologist James D. Lazell, Jr. attempted to explain this variation in a 1962 publication. In 1959 he had travelled on foot or on horseback throughout the island,[5] collecting over 500 specimens from thirty localities on Dominica.[6] From this, he concluded that it was a single species, and accounted for its variation by classifying the spectrum of different color forms as four subspecies organised by region: A. o. oculatus, found along the southwestern coastal area, with a holotype from the capital of Roseau (most closely corresponding to the original type described by Cope[who?]); A. o. cabritensis, along the northwest coast, with a holotype from the Cabrits peninsula (now Cabrits National Park); A. o. montanus, in central, high elevation rain forest, with a holotype from Fresh Water Lake; and A. o. winstoni, along the northeast coast, with a holotype from the village of Woodford Hill.[7] These first descriptions applied only to males, however, and omitted certain morphological features such as scale variation.[8] Lazell returned to Dominica in 1966 to collect new specimens, and in 1972 supplemented his original descriptions, including color illustrations of sexual dimorphism among the types.[9]
Lazell noted that the subspecies he described corresponded with the "strikingly different" ecological zones on Dominica, which result from the elevations on the small island interacting with prevailing winds to produce varying rainfall and vegetation.[10] Later morphological and molecular studies determined, however, that there was no interruption to gene flow between the different populations, but instead clinal variation where individual lizards differed incrementally from each other to produce very different forms from one end of the island to the other.[11] Researchers have, therefore, determined that there is no basis for the use of subspecies nomenclature.[12] The former subspecies have been described as "ecotypes" by Malhotra and Thorpe based on their geographic range: the south Caribbean ecotype corresponds to the former A. o. oculatus; north Caribbean ecotype to A. o. cabritensis; montane ecotype to A. o. montanus; and Atlantic ecotype to A. o. winstoni.[13]
Description
A male Dominican anole extends its throat fan (dewlap). North Caribbean ecotype. Coulibistrie, Dominica.
The Dominican anole is medium-sized for anoles, with a maximum snout-vent-length (SVL) in males of 61–98mm (2.4–3.9in) depending on the population (with larger sizes correlating with higher altitudes), and tails of at least equal length; females are smaller in all populations.[14] Adult males have a tail crest and a prominent, extensible throat fan that is often a bright yellow or orange. The throat fan is only rudimentary in females, and less brightly colored. Some may have bright blue eyes.[15] Dominican anoles are capable of slight color change, but not as much as some other anoles.[16]
Their ground color varies from pale tan or ash gray to deep brown or green. Markings also vary significantly. Adult males in all populations have some combination of white or light-colored spotting distributed over most of their bodies. This manifests in different populations as small, evenly distributed spots; scattered groups of white scales; or streaks that run together in a marbled appearance. Males in some populations additionally have larger lateral spots ringed by irregularly shaped black splotches. Markings on females and juveniles are significantly lighter or less distinct, and black spots are extremely uncommon. Females and juveniles may additionally have lateral streaks or mid-dorsal stripes.
The cause of the variability of the anole has been the subject of much study.[17] Its morphological traits vary independently from each other, such that the presence of one trait does not predict the presence of another. Some traits vary altitudinally and others longitudinally, or may correlate with ecological factors such as rainfall and vegetation type.[18] Populations in drier habitats tend to be paler in color with marbled or blotched markings, while those in wetter habitats are deeper green, hence the usage of the term "ecotype" by Malhotra et al.. The same patterns are also seen in the highly variable A. marmoratus on Guadeloupe, a neighboring island group that has a range of habitats comparable to Dominica.[19]
Ecotype descriptions
Atlantic ecotype. Woodford Hill, Dominica.Mountain ecotype. Near Syndicate Waterfall, Dominica.
The north Caribbean ecotype (of which extremely divergent individuals were formerly classified as A. o. cabritensis) is found in the most arid part of Dominica, in low, scrub-like woodland on the northwest, Caribbean coast. It can have the most complex markings of any population, with bold, light-colored spots that run together to form irregular stripes or marbling. Males commonly have a series of prominent, lateral black splotches. Its ground color is predominantly gray or pale yellow brown, sometimes with a darker, occasionally reddish head region.
The south Caribbean ecotype (A. o. oculatus) is found on the south and southwest coast, which does not differ significantly from the north. It is the smallest in size and the palest in color and markings. It has a light tan to yellow ground color, with varying white spots that are typically indistinct. Lateral dark splotches are inconspicuous or absent. This ecotype is threatened by an invasive species (see Conservation).
The montane ecotype (A. o. montanus) is found in high elevation rain forest located in central Dominica. It has a deep green ground color, which matches the moss-covered tree trunks on which they are mostly found.[20] They have small, bluish-white secondary spots, and occasional lateral, black-ringed splotches on males like those found in the north Caribbean ecotype. The largest sizes are attained among this population.
The Atlantic ecotype (A. o. winstoni) is found along most of the Atlantic (east) coast of Dominica, which is wetter than the west coast. It is intermediate in size, and has a typically orange to chocolate brown ground color, with small, scattered white spots, like the montane type.
Distribution and habitat
The Dominican anole is restricted to the island of Dominica, one of the few islands in the Lesser Antilles to have retained its original reptile and amphibian fauna over the last 200 years.[21] It is one of two lizard species endemic to Dominica, the other being the Dominican ground lizard.[22] It is the only native anole species on Dominica.[23] It is present in all habitats and areas of the island up to around 900 m elevation and is generally abundant, though it is tending towards extirpation from the southwestern coastal region due to an invasive anole species (see Conservation).[24] The coastal woodlands of Dominica have been particularly noted as unusually favorable for reptiles, with a biomass among the highest recorded for terrestrial reptile populations; Dominican anoles have been estimated to occur in that environment at a mean density of 2148 per hectare.[25]
Ecology
Male Dominican anole feeding on a fly. North Caribbean ecotype. Near the Coulibistrie River, Dominica.
Dominican anoles are semi-arboreal, and mainly forage on the ground for food.[26] Its diet mainly consists of insects, but varies by habitat and season based on the available food, and with the size of the individual.[27] It may also eat fruit and even small vertebrates.[28] In xeric woodland habitats on Dominica's Caribbean coast, it mainly feeds on tiny ants, termites, springtails and barklice.[29] Montane populations, which reach larger sizes, rely more on larger prey such as Oligochaeta (earthworms) and Orthoptera (crickets and grasshoppers), although smaller adults and juveniles in rainforest environments will also mainly feed on ants.[30]
Two male Dominican anoles in a territorial confrontation. North Caribbean ecotype. Coulibistrie, Dominica. Following display behavior involving head-bobbing, throat fan extension, and push-ups, the males circled close on one another with their mouths gaping, occasionally snapping at each other until one retreated.
Both males and females are territorial. Male territories are roughly twice the size of female territories, and males will typically mate with females with overlapping territory.[32] Female territories may overlap in areas with high population densities.[33] Research has shown gene flow within the species to be determined by male migration, which suggests that females do not have significant mate choice preferences.[34] Migration probably occurs during the juvenile stage, as male and female adults are mostly sedentary.[35]
During active periods, Dominican anoles typically perch on a tree or other vertical object, facing downwards to scan the ground for food or other lizards, though this perch makes them vulnerable to predators.[36] From this perch, males will extend and retract their brightly colored throat fans, both to attract mates and to ward off competitors.[37] Males will also bob their heads or perform what look like "push-ups" using their front legs. An invading male may cause a confrontation, during which they will circle at close quarters, inflating their bodies and gaping their mouths to appear larger and menacing. Physical contact during these confrontations is unusual and brief when it occurs, rarely resulting in physical injury. The invader will usually retreat after these confrontations even if it is larger than the defending male.
Activity patterns vary between populations, though the species as a whole is generally most active during the cooler hours of the day.[38] In xeric woodland on Dominica's west coast, it is active throughout the day with peaks at dawn and dusk, while in rain forest populations, it is typically inactive during the middle of the day, remaining at high perches.[39] At night, the Dominican anole climbs to the tips of branches and sleeps clinging to leaves, where heavier nocturnal predators cannot reach them.[40]
Dominican anoles in some populations are very tolerant of humans, allowing them to approach closely before retreating.[41] It will seek shelter under stones or other ground litter.[42]
Dominican anoles are relatively long-living and late maturing compared to mainland anole species.[43] Males mature at a size of 35mm SVL, and females mature at 40mm SVL, which they are likely to attain at an age of two or three months old.[44] They breed throughout the year, with a peak at the end of the dry season, particularly in areas such as the north Caribbean coast that have more seasonal rainfall variation.[45] Females are oviparous, and lay multiple clutches of eggs each year, with a short period between clutches.[46] Females in captivity have produced eggs every 14 days.[47] Each clutch typically contains only one egg, though clutches of two can occur without apparent relationship to season, location, or size of the females.[48] Egg production alternates ovaries and overlaps cycles, with one ovary ending its cycle after the opposite ovary has begun.[49] Eggs are laid sheltered under ground litter such as rocks or leaves.[47]
Evolutionary relationships
Anoles in the Caribbean have been extensively studied as "one of the best known cases of adaptive radiation."[50] Schneider et al. in 2002 classified this anole as part of a "bimaculatus series" of Caribbean anoles, which are found on Dominica and islands to its north in the Lesser Antilles, and are more closely related to other Caribbean anoles than to South American anoles.[51] Lazell in 1972 considered the Dominican anole "the most bizarre member" of what he described as a "bimaculatus group, and one of the most peculiar members of its huge and diverse genus".[52] Its karyotype is unique among that group, as it possesses two pairs of acrocentricmacrochromosomes.[53] On this basis, Lazell hypothesized that it "long evolved in isolation, and lacks genuinely close relatives".[54]
Within the bimaculatus series, it has been classified by an author(?) as belonging to the Guadeloupean-Dominican clade, which includes A. marmoratus on the Guadeloupe Archipelago, A. lividus on Montserrat, A. nubilus on Redonda, and A. sabanus on Saba.[55]A. marmoratus terraealtae, found only on the island of Les Saintes located in between Dominica and the main islands of Guadeloupe, may be more closely related to the Dominican anole than to other A. marmoratus subspecies.[56]A. leachi, found on Antigua and Barbuda, is a likely sister taxon to the Guadeloupean-Dominican clade.[57]
Genetics
Male Dominican Anole. South Caribbean ecotype
Levels of gene flow are relatively high in Dominican anole populations over large areas of Dominica, even between different ecotype populations and different members of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages.[58] This gene flow appears to be dominated by male migration, and occurs at such high levels as to likely prevent evolutionary divergence of different populations.[34]
Morphological variation of the different populations, i.e. the different color phases here called "ecotypes", deviate from each other in clinal patterns that are sometimes more abrupt, which means color forms or slight differences in anatomy flow into each other gradually, but the presence of specific forms are also influenced by environmental variables such as rainfall and vegetation type.[59] These patterns of variation are also generally inconsistent with mtDNA lineages.[60] This variation is thought to primarily be the result of strong pressures from natural selection caused by differences in habitat, with phenotypic plasticity a possible, though less important, contributing factor.[61]
The populations on the west coast are an exception, and there is apparently a large barrier to gene flow between the north Caribbean and south Caribbean populations.[62] Although ecological conditions appear constant from north to south, there is a transition occurring over just a few kilometers from the northern coast from the northern form to the southern ecotype, with the genetic difference between the two populations relatively larger than predicted from their geographic distance.[63] This separation may be the result of a volcanic event within the last 50,000 years, as the transition zone is marked by relatively recent lava flows.[64]
Conservation
The Dominican anole is threatened by an introduced competitor, Anolis cristatellus, which established itself in Dominica between 1997 and 2002, and as of 2007 had begun to supplant it in the southwestern coastal area surrounding the capital, Roseau.[65] Within this area the Dominican anole has become absent or rare.[66] Because that is almost the entire range of the southern ecotype, some authors recommended a captive breeding program to preserve this color form.[67] These authors furthermore fear that the Dominican anole may eventually face extirpation from much of Dominica, except for specific environments that A. cristatellus tends not to prefer, such as forests or mountainous areas.[68]
↑ Garth Underwood wrote in 1959, regarding the widely varying specimens he examined, that "[a]fter two visits to the island and examination of more than sixty preserved specimens I remain uncertain about the situation in Dominica... Clearly Dominica will require further careful examination." Underwood 1959, pp.204–205.
↑ Malhotra & Thorpe 1992, p.1 Detailed descriptions of the coloration and markings of each described subspecies, along with type specimen data, is provided in Lazell 1962, pp.467–475, with a Table of Diagnostic Characters at p. 475 cataloguing variations in throat fan (dewlap) color, white dorsal spotting, black pigment areas, ground color, venter (belly) color, tail crest, and maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL). The SVL numbers should be considered inaccurate or incomplete, however, as Lazell later noted that he had incorrectly omitted larger specimens. See Lazell 1972, p.68.
↑ Malhotra & Thorpe 1992, p.4 "Consequently, meaningful definition of boundaries between subspecies is difficult".
↑ See Malhotra & Thorpe 1992, pp.3–4 for photographic comparisons of these ecotypes for both males and females.
↑ Descriptions are given in Malhotra & Thorpe 1999, pp.21–24; Malhotra & Thorpe 1992, p.1; Evans & James 1997, p.20; Lazell 1962, pp.466–475; and Lazell 1972, pp.69–71. See also photographs in Malhotra & Thorpe 1992, pp.3–4, and color plates in Lazell 1972, pp.95–96, illustrating the subspecies as he defined them. See Malhotra & Thorpe 1997, pp.68–69, discussing the relationship of male body size to altitude, and noting that size at lower altitudes may be constrained by the higher occurrence of predation in lower coastal areas and by the available food supply.
↑ The other major Lesser Antillean group, the "roquet series" of anoles, is found on Martinique (the island directly south of Dominica) and islands to its south. It is distantly related to the bimaculatus series, having more affinity with South American taxa. See Stenson, Thorpe & Malhotra 2004, p.2, and Schneider, Losos & de Queiroz 2001, p.1 for an overview of these groups.
↑ Malhotra et al. 2007, pp.182, 187–188. This species is believed to have entered the island via imported goods, as its sites of original invasion are adjacent to a cargo airport and a sea port.
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.
Anolis is a genus of anoles, iguanian lizards in the family Dactyloidae, native to the Americas. With more than 425 species, it represents the world's most species-rich amniote tetrapod genus, although many of these have been proposed to be moved to other genera, in which case only about 45 Anolis species remain. Previously, it was classified under the family Polychrotidae that contained all the anoles, as well as Polychrus, but recent studies place it in the Dactyloidae.
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.
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, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and Southern California. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.
Anolis cristatellus is a small species of anole, belonging to the Dactyloidae family of reptiles. The species 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 this crest, but it is smaller than that of the males. The species 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 its throat, known as a dewlap, in order to show others how dominant it is, and thus attract mates or intimidate rivals.
The Dominican ground lizard or Dominican ameiva is a species of lizard. It is endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica, an island noted for its intact and abundant reptile population, where it is most commonly found in dry coastal woodland.
The Barbados anole is a species of anole lizard that is native to Barbados, an island-nation in the Caribbean. Originally endemic to Barbados, it has since been introduced to Saint Lucia and Bermuda. It was previously treated as a subspecies of Martinique's anole, A. roquet.
Anolis gingivinus, also known as the Anguilla Bank tree anole, Anguilla bank anole, and Anguilla anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the Caribbean Lesser Antilles islands of Anguilla and its satellites, such as Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy.
Anolis pogus, the St. Martin anole, Anguilla Bank bush anole or bearded anole, is a species of anole lizard from the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, located in the Lesser Antilles. Its range used to include Anguilla, but it is now extirpated there. It may also have occurred on Saint Barthélemy.
Anolis sabanus, the Saba anole or Saban anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the island of Saba, a Dutch municipality in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles.
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.
Anolis leachii, the Antigua Bank tree anole, Barbuda Bank tree anole, or panther anole, is a species of anole, a lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to the Caribbean.
Anolis lividus, the Plymouth anole or Montserrat anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. It is widespread and abundant in many areas.
Anolis ferreus, the Morne Constant anole, also known as the Marie-Gallant anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the island of Marie-Galante, which is part of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. It has been recorded as an escapee in Fort Myers, Florida, but does not appear to have become established.
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.
Anolis luciae, also known commonly as the St. Lucia anole or Saint Lucian anole, is a species of anole lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Saint Lucia, an island-nation in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles.
Anolis trinitatis, also known as Saint Vincent bush anole, Saint Vincent's bush anole, or the Trinidad anole, is a species of anole lizard found in the Caribbean.
The Grenada bush anole or bronze anole is a species of anole lizard found in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles and South America. It is distributed on Grenada and throughout the Grenadines islands, and it has been introduced to Trinidad and Tobago. It can also be found in Guyana on the mainland, where it is locally abundant, though these populations are not native, either.
References
Bullock, D.J.; Evans, Peter G.H. (1990), "The distribution, density and biomass of terrestrial reptiles in Dominica, West Indies", J. Zool., 222 (3): 421–43, doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1990.tb04042.x
Bullock, D.J.; Jury, H.M.; Evans, P.G.H. (1993), "Foraging ecology in the lizard Anolis oculatus (Iguanidae) from Dominica, West Indies", J. Zool., 230 (1): 19–30, doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb02669.x
Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1992), "Anolis oculatus (Cope): Dominican Anole", Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles, 540: 1–4
Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1997), "Size and shape variation in a Lesser Antillean anole, Anolis oculatus (Sauria: Iguanidae) in relation to habitat", Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 60: 53–72, doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1997.tb01483.x
Thorpe, Roger S.; Reardon, J.T.; Malhotra, Anita (2005), "Common garden and natural selection experiments support ecotypic differentiation in the Dominican anole (Anolis oculatus)", Am. Nat., 165 (5): 495–504, doi:10.1086/428408, PMID15791540, S2CID1820674
Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S.; Hypolite, Eric; James, Arlington (2007), "A report on the status of the herpetofauna of the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies", Appl. Herpetol., 4 (2): 177–94, doi:10.1163/157075407780681365
Schneider, Christopher J.; Losos, Jonathan B.; de Queiroz, Kevin (2001), "Evolutionary Relationships of the Anolis bimaculatus Group from the Northern Lesser Antilles", J. Herpetol., 35 (1): 1–12, doi:10.2307/1566016, JSTOR1566016
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