Anolis proboscis

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Anolis proboscis
Anolis proboscis (7269935746).jpg
Female (left) and male (right)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Dactyloidae
Genus: Anolis
Species:
A. proboscis
Binomial name
Anolis proboscis
Peters & Orces, 1956
A close-up of a male specimen. Anolis proboscis - Pinocchio anolis in Ecuador (23455298160).jpg
A close-up of a male specimen.

Anolis proboscis, commonly known as the horned anole, Ecuadorian horned anole [2] or Pinocchio lizard, [3] is a small anole lizard in the family Dactyloidae. A single male specimen was discovered in 1953 in Ecuador and formally described by Peters and Orces in 1956, but the species then went unreported until its rediscovery in 2004. Its currently known habitat is a small stretch of vegetation along an Ecuadorian highway. It has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to its restricted distribution and ongoing habitat loss.

Contents

Description

Anolis proboscis has very short limbs and a small body. Four main movement behaviors have been observed: crawling (most common), walking, running, and jumping. [4]

Anolis proboscis has a total body length (excluding tail) of roughly 5–7.5 cm (2.0–3.0 in). Males, which are slightly larger than females, possess a conspicuous proboscis, an elongated structure arising from the middle of the snout and about 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in length; it appears to be used in courtship displays, as is the dewlap that is present in both sexes. [4] There are multiple colour morphs, with the proboscis ranging from greenish yellow to orange-brown, and variety of patterning over the body, including spots and stripes. [4] Anolis proboscis bears many resemblances to the Greater Antillean twig anoles, both morphologically, with comparable sexual dimorphism, a slender body, short legs and tail, and in a behavioral sense, residing almost exclusively on narrow surfaces. [4] As such, the species can be classified as a member of the twig ecomorph among Anoles. [4] The species possesses a semi-prehensile tail, which aids them as they climb and forage in the canopy. Although slow moving, they have been known to cover great distances. [4] The species differs from similar species in the region in its comparatively small, whitish dewlap, and a row of enlarged scales that run along the dorsum. [5]

Proboscis

One of the most notable features of the species is its proboscis - a pliable, blunt appendage extending beyond the snout approximately 85% of the head length. [4] Although the exact purpose of the appendage is unknown, male to male combat can be ruled out due to its highly flexible nature. Beyond sexual selection, the proboscis may help males appear larger, which could lend a significant advantage in male to male interactions, despite not acting as an actual weapon. [6] Finally, because of its sexually dimorphic nature, the proboscis' use in thermoregulation or as a lure for hunting prey can also be ruled out. [6] Because the dewlap of A. proboscis is comparatively underdeveloped compared to other Anole species - it is far smaller and less colorful - the appendage could compensate and act as an ornament, as it is prominently displayed during mating rituals. [7] Likely, it serves as an intraspecific communication signal, and could also play a role in territorial displays as a way for males to assert dominance over each other or in mate choice. [6] [4]

Distribution and habitat

The Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena region of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (from top to bottom). Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena MAP.PNG
The Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena region of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (from top to bottom).

Based on the few localities known, the species inhabits montane forest habitats in the Chocó, where it keeps to high trees. [1] [8] Specimens have predominantly been found in primary and secondary vegetation along a well-traveled dirt road. Only five localities in total are currently known, with a maximum distance of 13 km (8 mi) between the two farthest ones. While the area of occurrence includes pasture land and secondary forest, it is likely that the species also lives in other mid-altitude (1,200–1,650 m or 3,940–5,410 ft) areas in the Ecuadorian Andes. [1] Despite most sightings of them occurring in areas with severe habitat fragmentation and destruction, it can be concluded that they prefer the deep forest where they are far more difficult to spot. [6] The species has been known to occupy all levels of the rainforest, ranging from the groundfloor to the canopy. [4] However, they seem to spend most of their time high off the ground, inhabiting dense vegetation, making them particularly difficult to observe. [6] At night, the lizards roost on small twigs and leaves (less than a centimeter in diameter) between 2.1 and 10 meters off of the ground, which allow them to detect the vibrations of potential predators. [5] Observations in the Mindo area of Ecuador located the species in apple trees and bamboo plants, as well as in disturbed forest habitats. [4]

Conservation

The species is currently classified as Endangered due to its possibly restricted distribution in combination with ongoing threats in the form of habitat loss from logging, human settlement, agriculture, and grazing. [1] Further, because of the species' rarity and unique appearance, it is at risk of poaching for the international pet trade. [5]

The species was feared to be extinct when it was not seen after the original collection in 1953. It was rediscovered in 2004 when an individual was seen and photographed in a cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, by a visiting ornithologist. [9] In August 2009, a herpetology expedition from the University of New Mexico located the species in a remote region of Ecuador. In total, they found five individuals including three males and the first two females ever seen and collected. [10] Since 2009, several other expeditions were able to relocate the species in remote regions of Ecuador. [11] However, Anolis proboscis' rarity could be the result of several different factors, including a very niche environment (the canopies of cloud forests), and naturally low populations. [6]

Speciation

Among anoles, only three species have a proboscis, the other being the poorly known and rarely seen Amazonian A. laevis and A. phyllorhinus . [12] [8] Despite this similarity and the historical inclusion of all three in the laevis group, A. phyllorhinus does not appear to be closely related to the two others. A. phyllorhinus has a comparatively longer tail and limbs, is green in color, and is not a twig specialist, like A. proboscis. [4] However, these differences do not necessarily suggest a distant relationship, as Anoles are well known for their ecomorphological diversity. Thus, it is likely that the proboscis is not tied to a specific specialization of Anole. [4] However, they do appear to be close relatives and part of the " Phenacosaurus " group. The proboscis is likely the result of convergent evolution. [10] [8]

Diet

The species is omnivorous and has a diverse diet. The stomach can hold anywhere between 4-16 prey items. A large array of different insects is preyed on, with the primary sources of food including caterpillars, coleopterans(beetles), hemipterans (bugs), dipterans (flies), and hymenoptera (bees and wasps). However, this species also eats pseudoscorpions, larvae, millipedes, spiders, and assorted plant material including flower petals, pieces of wood, and seeds. [5]

Mating

Male Pinocchio Anolis (Anolis proboscis) in Ecuador (19312208744).jpg
Male

A number of different behaviours connected to mating behaviour have been recorded. Initially it was assumed that the proboscis played a role in reproduction, but this has not been confirmed. [13] A. proboscis follows a polygynous mating system, with a wide variety of visual cues and movements involved in the entirety of the process. [7]

Courtship

In order to attract a mate both males and females display their dewlaps, employing variations of extension lengths. Males have been seen with their dewlaps extended and their proboscis drooped downward while courting. [4] Males are able to slowly change the stiffness and direction of their horns when courting. Other courting behaviors that have been observed include swinging of the head from side to side, known as "proboscis flourishing", and up and down when approaching a female all while the dewlap is displayed, either half or fully extended. [7] Courtship is deemed successful if and when the females runs past the male and continues in the opposite direction which leads to the second stage of mating called chasing. The female may perform a push-up with her forelimbs along with a head-bob and extension of her dewlap in response to the male's courting. [7]

Chasing progresses when the female prompts the male to follow by running past him in the opposite direction. It involves the male following the female in quick short sprints one to three steps long while frequently bobbing their heads in the same pattern as seen in courtship. Chasing ends with the female arching her neck, or when the male begins to climb on her tail with his forelimbs. [7] If the male cannot successfully follow the female, no mating occurs. [7] Similar behavior has been observed in A. carolinensis, suggesting that is a challenge issued by the female as test for the male before mating can begin. [7]

Male Anolis proboscis, Mindo, Ecuador, male (4) copy.jpg
Male

Next, the stimulation stage begins when the male catches the female and the female arches her neck in response, signifying readiness for copulation. The male must mount the female and find a good position to copulate in. As the male does this, he is constantly rubbing her nape with the tip of his snout in order to stimulate the female and to elevate the female's rostral appendage. [7] Males have also been observed biting the female on the nape, which then stopped after copulation. [7]

Copulation

The copulation stage begins after the male and female have found an appropriate position together. Once this happens the male inserts one of his hemipenes into her cloaca. [7] There is no specific time length for copulation but mating ends when the male and female have separated. There are a variety of displays by the male that may occur after copulation, including head bobbing, extension of the dewlap, which the female may or may not respond to. [7]

Hatchling. Hatchling pinochio Anole (14792975150).jpg
Hatchling.

Reproduction

Anolis Proboscis reproduces oviparously. In captivity, females lay a single egg, which is incubated for roughly 165 days (5.5 months). [5] Interestingly, males are born with a proboscis already formed, which lengthens as they develop. [14]

Conflict between males

Male agonistic behaviors can occur when two males attempt to court the same female. Non-violent agonistic behaviors from males include attempts to display at each other, chase the other male away, open their mouths to display teeth, arch their neck, raise their backs and probosces, and keep their heads down. [7] They may also bring their rostral appendages against each other's faces, touching the opposing male with the tip or their snout, or perform slow tail undulations. [7] Further, the males have been observed performing a movement resembling a push-up, whereby he moves his body forward with his head and tail down, and then back, raising his head and tail in the process. During this display, the male's dewlaps will be extended, the tail curled up, and the proboscis straight. [14] These behaviors are intended to scare away the other males, potentially by making the male appear larger. They have also been recorded turning sideways and straightening out their body, extending their tongues, perhaps to accentuate their body length. [6] Violent agonistic behaviors can include biting and pushing of other males. [7] Agonistic behaviors can last as long as it takes for the other male to stop attempting courtship. Unlike many other reptile species with prominent proboscises, A. proboscis does not use the appendage as a weapon, and may even attempt to protect it when fighting. [14] During violent male-male interactions, the proboscis remains lifted, and some specimens bear scars, suggesting the appendage can be injured. [14] In general, the species appears to be less aggressive than other kinds of anoles, which falls in line with the behavior of other twig ecomorphs. [14] Unlike species like A. marcanoi or A. carolinensis , there are far fewer attempts at biting or "jaw locking" during male-male conflict. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dactyloidae</span> 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, Dactyloinae, 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</i> Genus of lizards

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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown anole</span> 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 other regions of the United States including southern Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and Southern California. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dewlap</span> 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemipenis</span> Male sex organ in squamate reptiles

A hemipenis is one of a pair of intromittent organs of male squamates. Hemipenes are usually held inverted within the body, and are everted for reproduction via erectile tissue, much like that in the human penis. They come in a variety of shapes, depending on species, with ornamentation such as spikes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knight anole</span> 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 cristatellus</i> Species of reptile

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.

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

Anolis allisoni, also known commonly as Allison's anole or Cuban blue anole is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Cuba, the Bay Islands and Cayos Cochinos off the mainland of Honduras, and Half Moon Caye off the mainland of Belize. There is also a single doubtful record from Cozumel, Mexico. Recently, the species has been documented in southern Florida. This diurnal species is commonly seen on palm trunks, and it feeds on invertebrates. It is among the relatively few anole species in which females may lay their eggs together, forming a communal nest.

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

Anolis barbatus is a species of anole lizard from Western Cuba. Adults have a typical snout–vent length of about 18 cm (7 in), with tails that are slightly shorter than their bodies, and demonstrate little sexual dimorphism. It is one of six species called "false chameleons" that sometimes are recognized as their own genus Chamaeleolis or as the Cuban clade in Xiphosurus. These are all native to Cuba, fairly large for anoles, have robust heads, are dull gray-brown in color, slow-moving and have blunt teeth used for crushing snails, which is their main diet in the wild. Unusually among anoles, these all lack the ability to autotomize their tails. Together with the similar, but not closely related A. landestoyi of Hispaniola, they form a group known as the twig–giant ecomorph.

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

Anolis bartschi, also known commonly as the Pinar Del Rio cliff anole, western cliff anole, and the west Cuban anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.

<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 grahami</i> Species of lizard

Anolis grahami, commonly known as the Jamaican turquoise anole and Graham's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to the island of Jamaica, and has also been introduced to the territory of Bermuda. It is one of many different species of anole lizards found in Jamaica. There are two recognized subspecies.

<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 lineatus</i> Species of lizard

Anolis lineatus, the Curaçao striped anole or striped anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. It is native to Curaçao and Aruba of the Netherlands Antilles, but has also been introduced to Klein Curaçao. It is generally common, and is particularly common in densely vegetated gardens in the capital Willemstad. It is found in dry tropical shrubland at all elevations in its range, but is uncommon in habitats without larger trees. It can often be seen on rocks, the walls of buildings or tree trunks; at various heights but often relatively close to the ground. It is a member of the A. chrysolepis species group.

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

Anolis apletophallus is a species of anoles, iguanian lizards in the family Dactyloidae native to Panama. The species was split from Anolis limifrons in Köhler and Sunyer (2008). It has been reported in Panama, Honduras and Colombia. A decline in its population in Panama over a 40-year timespan has been attributed to changes in local climate, with years following El Niño negatively affecting the species.

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

Anolis aquaticus, commonly known as the water anole, is a semi-aquatic species of anole, a lizard in the family Dactyloidae, native to southwestern Costa Rica and far southwestern Panama. The species demonstrates adaptations that allows it to spend periods of time underwater up to approximately a quarter of an hour, forming an air bubble which clings to its head and serves to recycle the animal's air supply while it spends time beneath the surface. Although highly unusual, similar adaptions and behavior are found in other species of semi-aquatic anoles.

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

Anolis auratus, the grass anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Brazil.

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

Anolis evermanni, also known commonly as the emerald anole, Evermann's anole, and the small green anole, is a species of lizard included within the family Dactyloidae. A. evermanni is native to Puerto Rico, where it is mainly found in wet forests. A. evermanni is a medium-sized lizard and bright emerald-green in color. A. evermanni is studied for its behavior as well as the evolution of the family Dactyloidae. The group of lizards which are member species of the family Dactyloidae are known as anoles. 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, and the 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. 1 2 3 4 Arteaga-Navarro, A.; Mayer, G.C.; Poe, S.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2019). "Anolis proboscis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T178727A18975861. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T178727A18975861.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "SICB 2015: Anolis proboscis Display Behavior". Anole Annals. 2015-01-06.
  3. ↑ "Efforts to save the rare 'Pinocchio lizard' which was once thought extinct". ScienceDaily.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Losos, Jonathan B.; Woolley, Melissa L.; Mahler, D. Luke; Torres-Carvajal, Omar; Crandell, Kristen E.; Schaad, Eric W.; Narváez, Andrea E.; Ayala-Varela, Fernando; Herrel, Anthony (2012). "Notes on the Natural History of the Little-Known Ecuadorian Horned Anole, Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 531 (1): 1–17. doi:10.3099/531.1. ISSN   0006-9698. S2CID   51899170.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Arteaga A (2022) Pinocchio Anole (Anolis proboscis). In: Arteaga A, Bustamante L, Vieira J, Guayasamin JM (Eds) Reptiles of Ecuador: Life in the middle of the world. Available from: www.reptilesofecuador.com
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Inch, Ivan; Koppetsch, Thore; Bohme, Wolfgang (15 May 2022). "Pinocchio lizards and other lizards bearing rostral appendages − the peculiar habitus of the draconine agamid Harpesaurus tricinctus with highlights on its ecological implications and convergence with its New World equivalent, the dactyloid Anolis proboscis". Salamandra. 58 (2): 133 – via ResearchGate.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Quirola, Diego R.; Mármol, Andrés; Torres-Carvajal, Omar; Narváez, Andrea E.; Ayala-Varela, Fernando; Moore, Ignacio T. (26 July 2017). "Use of a rostral appendage during social interactions in the Ecuadorian Anolis proboscis". Journal of Natural History. 51 (27–28): 1625–1638. Bibcode:2017JNatH..51.1625Q. doi:10.1080/00222933.2017.1332790. S2CID   91078845.
  8. 1 2 3 Yánez-Muñoz, M.H.; M.A. Urgilés; M. Altamirano Benavides; S.R. Cáceres (2010). "Redescripción de Anolis proboscis Peters & Orcés (Reptilia: Polychrotidae), con el descubrimiento de las hembras de la especie y comentarios sobre su distribución y taxonomía". Avances en Ciencias e Ingeniería. 2 (3): 1–14. doi: 10.18272/aci.v2i3.39 .
  9. ↑ Almendariz, A. C.; Vogt, C. (2007). "Anolis proboscis (Squamata: Polychrotidae), Una lagartija rara pero no extinta" (PDF). Politécnica. 27 (4): Biología 7 133–135.
  10. 1 2 Poe, Steven; Ayala, Fernando; Latella, Ian M.; Kennedy, Thomas L.; Christensen, James A.; Gray, Levi N.; Blea, Natalie J.; Armijo, Beeling M.; Schaad, Eric W. (2012). "Morphology, phylogeny, and behavior of Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 530: 1–11. doi:10.3099/530.1. S2CID   34632653.
  11. ↑ Main, D. (2013-10-04). "Once 'Extinct' Pinocchio Lizard Pokes His Nose Out". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  12. ↑ Rodrigues, M.T.; V. Xavier; G. Skuk; D. Pavan (2002). "New specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus (Squamata, Polychrotidae): the first female of the species and of proboscid anoles". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. 42 (16). doi: 10.1590/S0031-10492002001600001 .
  13. ↑ Poe, Steven; Ayala, Fernando; Latella, Ian M.; Kennedy, Thomas L.; Christensen, James A.; Gray, Levi N.; Blea, Natalie J.; Armijo, Beeling M.; Schaad, Eric W. (2012). "Morphology, Phylogeny, and Behavior of Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 530 (1): 1–11. doi:10.3099/530.1. ISSN   0006-9698. S2CID   34632653.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rodriguez, Diego (November 2015). "Insights into social interactions in the Ecuadorian horned anole, Anolis proboscis" (PDF). Pontifica Universidad Católica del Ecuador Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas. 1 (1): 8 – via CORE.
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