[Herpetology • 2025] Anolis torresfundorai • A Revision of the Anolis carolinensis subgroup (Squamata: Anolidae) supports three species in Cuba, including A New cryptic Species

 

Anolis torresfundorai 

Torres, Reilly, Nuñez-Penichet, Reynolds & Glor, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e152054

 

Abstract

Cuba is the only landmass with more than one species in the Anolis carolinensis subgroup. We test the hypothesis that three rather than two distinct species occur on Cuba, based on substantial prior evidence of paraphyly. To test this hypothesis, we collected phenotypic data from all described species in the subgroup, including eastern and west-central Cuban populations of A. porcatus, and assessed phenotypic diagnosability using uni- and multivariate analyses. We also examined geographic isolation using all available occurrence records for Cuban lineages. Additionally, we conducted ecological niche modeling and niche overlap analyses, considering only Cuban lineages, to test for ecological differentiation. Finally, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees, incorporating all species from the subgroup for the first time. Our results support the recognition of three species in Cuba: A. allisoni and eastern and west-central A. porcatus as two distinct cryptic species, showing minimal phenotypic differentiation but clear geographic isolation, distinct ecological niches, and deep genetic divergence. We restrict the name A. porcatus to west-central Cuba, with Havana as the type locality, and formally describe the eastern Cuban populations as Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov., designating Baracoa, Guantánamo, as the type locality.

Keywords: Genetic divergence, geographic isolation, green anoles, niche modeling, species delimitation, sublabial scales

Life coloration of phenotypically alike Cuban green anoles.
 Left panel: adult males Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. from Santiago de Cuba with dark brown and dark green paramedial stripes (top and bottom, respectively). The male in the top is in transition to dark phase.
Right panel: mating pair of A. porcatus from Havana with both individuals lacking the paramedian stripes. The female is in dark phase.

Photo credit: Alexis Callejas (A. torresfundorai sp. nov.) and Tomás M. Rodríguez-Cabrera (A. porcatus).

adult males Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. from Santiago de Cuba with dark brown and dark green paramedial stripes (top and bottom, respectively). The male in the top is in transition to dark phase.

Photos by Alexis Callejas

Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. 

Common name. Eastern Cuba Green Anole

Diagnosis. Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. is diagnosable from all species of the A. carolinensis subgroup. Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. was not unambiguously differentiated from A. porcatus in either of the uni- or multivariate analyses (Tables 1, 2; Figs 2, S1–S12). Ultimately, A. torresfundorai sp. nov. was diagnosable from its cryptic relatives, Cuban A. porcatus and continental A. carolinensis, based on one categorical character, keelation of sublabial scales. These scales are heavily keeled in the former species and smooth in A. torresfundorai sp. nov. with occasional weak keelation that does not go beyond the 4th scale (Fig. 1). Anolis torresfundorai sp. nov. differs from A. longiceps and A. maynardii in having a pink dewlap, yellow or pale yellow in the others. Anolis allisoni and A. brunneus have blue heads or torsos, green in A. torresfundorai sp. nov. Anolis smaragdinus has a more strongly keeled tail and is usually more homogeneous in coloration, with or without a faint mid-dorsal stripe or scapular spots. Additionally, only three members of the A. carolinensis subgroup occur in Cuba (A. allisoni, A. porcatus, and A. torresfundorai sp. nov.).

 

Etymology. The species epithet is a Latinized patronym honoring Emeritus Professor Orlando J. Torres Fundora, for a lifetime dedicated to the study and conservation of Cuban nature and the education of Cuban scientists at the University of Havana, Cuba.

   

Javier Torres, Dexter Reilly, Claudia Nuñez-Penichet, R. Graham Reynolds and Richard E. Glor. 2025. A Revision of the Anolis carolinensis subgroup supports three species in Cuba, including A New cryptic Species (Squamata: Anolidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 75: 107-126. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e152054

[Herpetology • 2023] Anolis riparius & A. robinsoni • Two New Species of Semiaquatic Anolis (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from Costa Rica

Anolis robinsoni &  A. riparius 

Chaves, Ryan, Bolaños, Márquez, Köhler & Poe, 2023

 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.6

Abstract

We describe two new species of Draconura-clade semiaquatic anoles from the central Pacific versant of Costa Rica. The two new species are similar to Anolis aquaticus in external appearance and ecology but differ from this species in male dewlap coloration and scalation. Anolis robinsoni sp. nov. and A. riparius sp. nov. differ from each other mainly in male dewlap color. All three species are distinct according to diagnostic morphological traits and a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences (669 bases of COI gene). We discuss the distribution and ecology of Anolis aquaticus and the new species.

Keywords: Reptilia, anoles, taxonomy, phylogenetics

Gerardo Chaves, Mason J. Ryan, Federico Bolaños, Cruz Márquez, Gunther Köhler, Steven Poe. 2023. Two New Species of Semiaquatic Anolis (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from Costa Rica. Zootaxa. 5319(2); 249-262. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.6

sports.yahoo.com/tiny-creature-likes-snooze-waterfalls-202153041.html

[Herpetology • 2023] Anolis quimbaya & A. tequendama • Revealing Anole Diversity in the Highlands of the Northern Andes: New and Resurrected Species of the Anolis heterodermus Species Group

(A) Anolis quimbaya sp. nov., 

(B) A. richteri (Dunn, 1944) revalidated; 

(C) A. tequendama sp. nov.   

Moreno-Arias, Miguel A. Méndez-Galeano, Beltrán & Vargas-Ramírez, 2023

 DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e94265

Abstract

The Anolis heterodermus group comprises eight big-headed and short-legged lizard species from the highlands of the northernmost South American Andes. Recent studies revealed unknown lineages within this group that had previously been categorized as a species complex. By widely sampling and applying an integrative taxonomic framework, we (1) assessed the species diversity of the group using a molecular dataset (two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers) along with an inclusive morphological study (scalation, scale configuration and ornamentation, morphometrics, and dewlap and body colour patterns); and (2) we inferred the evolutionary relationships within this species group. Our analyses confirmed the formerly reported differentiation between populations of those high-altitude lizards, and we identified several unknown evolutionary lineages. Our results provided evidence for the existence of nine distinct, independently evolving evolutionary lineages in the heterodermus group. As a result, we described two morphologically and genetically highly distinct lineages as species new to science (A. quimbaya sp. nov. and A. tequendama sp. nov.). We redescribed A. heterodermus and erected as a valid species Anolis richteri, a previously described synonym of A. heterodermus. A taxonomic key for the identification of species of the Phenacosaurus clade was presented. The identification of two additional poorly-known lineages suggested that the diversity of this group of lizards is still unknown; therefore, it is necessary to establish measurements for the group´s conservation, as well as to perform fieldwork and revision of herpetological collections to identify possible hidden diversity within the group.

Keywords: Anole species complex, high altitude lizards, integrative taxonomy, mtDNA, nDNA, morphology, South America

Dewlap and body of female (left) and male (right) of
Anolis heterodermus (A), A. inderenae (B), and A. vanzolinii (C). 

Anolis heterodermus Duméril, 1851 (redescription)

Anolis richteri (Dunn, 1944) revalidated

Dewlap and body of female (left) and male (right) of
Anolis quimbaya sp. nov. (A), A. richteri (B) and A. tequendama sp. nov. (C).

Anolis quimbaya sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Anolis quimbaya sp. nov. shares short limbs, a large, casqued head, a prehensile tail without caudal autotomy, and lamellar subdigital scales of all digits extending from the most proximal phalanges with the other species of the Phenacosaurus clade. Anolis quimbaya sp. nov. differs from A. proboscis, A. orcesi, A. euskalerriari and A. nicefori by the presence of granular scales surrounding dorsal heterogeneous flat scales. Anolis quimbaya sp. nov. further differs from A. heterodermus, A. richteri, A. tetarii, A. inderenae, and A. tequendama sp. nov. by an orange or green dewlap (A. vanzolinii orange only) from A. inderenae, A. heterodermus, A. richteri and A. tetarii by the presence of a discontinuous nuchal crest; from A. heterodermus and A. inderenae by the presence of a continuous row of enlarged sublabials that do not reach the mouth commissure; from A. heterodermus by a V-shaped crown. From A. vanzolinii by < 24 expanded lamellae under second and third phalange of fourth toe and < 35 lamella in total fourth toe, maximum snout-vent length 87 mm (110 mm), femoral length/snout-vent length ratio 0.17 (0.20), tail length/snout-vent ratio 1.19 (1.31), fourth toe length/snout-vent length ratio 0.13 (0.15) and sexual dimorphism in dewlap pattern.

Etymology: The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition. The name refers to the extinct indigenous ethnic group called the Quimbaya who inhabited the central cordillera of Colombia, where the species is mainly distributed. “Los Quimbaya” in Spanish is also a noun to refer to the indigenous people belonging to the Kimbaya nation, to the people who previously spoke the Kimbaya dialect and the archaeological period when those people lived.

Common name: Quimbaya anole [English]. Anolis quimbaya [Spanish]

Anolis tequendama sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Anolis tequendama sp. nov. shares short limbs, a large casqued head, a prehensile tail without caudal autotomy, and lamellar subdigital scales of all digits extending from the most proximal phalanges with the other species of the Phenacosaurus clade. Anolis tequendama sp. nov. differs from A. proboscis, A. orcesi, A. euskalerriari and A. nicefori, by its strongly heterogeneous dorsal scalation. Anolis tequendama sp. nov. differs from A. nicefori by the presence of granular scales surrounding dorsal heterogeneous flat scales. A. tequendama sp. nov. differs from A. heterodermus, A. richteri, A. tetarii, A. inderenae, A. vanzolinii and A. quimbaya sp. nov. by a male dewlap colour uniformly brown or brown bluish. Anolis tequendama sp. nov. further differs from A. inderenae, A. heterodermus, A. richteri and A. tetarii by the presence of a discontinuous nuchal crest, from A. heterodermus and A. inderenae by the presence of a continuous row of enlarged sublabials that do not reach the mouth commissure; from A. heterodermus by a V-shaped crown; and from A. vanzolinii by < 24 expanded lamellae under second and third phalange of fourth toe and < 35 lamellae in total fourth toe.

Etymology: The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition. The name refers to the Tequendama Falls, a popular waterfall near Bogotá that is part of the Bogotá River and has cosmological importance for the Muisca indigenous people; inhabitants of the Bogotá Plateau. In the Muisca language (called “Muysccubun”), Tequendama means “he who precipitates downward”, referring to the waterfall.

Common name: Tequendama anole [English]. Anolis tequendama [Spanish]

Conclusion: 

The utilisation of an integrative taxonomic framework allowed us to describe two species new to science: A. quimbaya sp. nov. and A. tequendama sp. nov., redescribe A. heterodermus and erect as a valid species A. richteri, a previous synonym of A. heterodermus. The identification of those lineages, including the two poorly-know lineages 1 and 2 suggests that the diversity of high-altitude lizards of the heterodermus group remains underestimated. The Middle Miocene to Pleistocene period of significant orogenic and climatic events in northern South America that have shaped the group´s evolutionary history may have produced higher diversity than previously existed and that we are now beginning to understand. Since this group of lizards inhabits the threatened Andean montane tropical region (Etter 1993) that is typically characterised by high human population densities and extreme transformation rates, the recognition of its diversity aimed at establishing protective measurements is an urgent priority (see Vargas Ramírez and Moreno-Arias 2014). Fieldwork and careful revision of herpetological collections aimed at increasing knowledge of Lineages 1 and 2, as well as identifying hidden diversity is also urgently needed.

 

 Rafael A. Moreno-Arias, Miguel A. Méndez-Galeano, Iván Beltrán and Mario Vargas-Ramírez. 2023. Revealing Anole Diversity in the Highlands of the Northern Andes: New and Resurrected Species of the Anolis heterodermus Species Group. Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 161-188.  DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e94265

[Herpetology • 2021] Anolis nemonteae • A New Giant Anole (Iguanidae: Dactyloinae) from southwestern Ecuador

Anolis nemonteae 

 Ayala-Varela, Valverde, Poe, Narváez, Yánez-Muñoz & Torres-Carvajal, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4991.2.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/352713661

  

Abstract

We describe a new species of Anolis lizard from the Pacific slopes of the Andes of southwestern Ecuador at elevations between 372–1,000 m. The new species belongs to the Dactyloa clade and may be distinguished from other Anolis by size, external anatomy, mitochondrial DNA divergence, and dewlap color. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, we found that the new species is sister to A. fraseri in a clade composed primarily of large Dactyloid species. The new species is known from a protected area in southern Ecuador, Buenaventura Reserve, which suggests that at least some its populations are well protected.

Keywords: Reptilia, Andes, Anolis, phylogeny, South America, systematics, taxonomy

 Preserved holotype of Anolis nemonteae sp. nov. (QCAZ 14595)
in dorsal (A), lateral (B), and ventral (C) views,
with close-ups of dewlap (D), pelvic region (E), and right foot (F).

Scale bars = 10 mm (A, B, C) and 5 mm (D, E, F).

Photographs by M. Masache. 

 Variation of color in life of Anolis nemonteae sp. nov.
Adult female QCAZ 14595 (holotype, A, B, C);
adult female JMG 0485 (D); juvenile female QCAZ 14431 (E); hatchling female QCAZ 14660 (F);
 adult male QCAZ 14596 (G, H, I); a
dult male JMG 0484 (J, K).

Photographs by A. E. Narváez (A, B, C, G, H, I), F. Ayala-Varela (E), P. Pintanel (F) and P. Romero (D, J, K).

Anolis nemonteae sp. nov.

Proposed standard English name: Star anoles

Proposed standard Spanish name: Anolis de las estrellas

Fernando Ayala-Varela, Sebastián Valverde, Steven Poe, Andrea E. Narváez, Mario H. Yánez-Muñoz and Omar Torres-Carvajal. 2021. A New Giant Anole (Squamata: Iguanidae: Dactyloinae) from southwestern Ecuador. Zootaxa. 4991(2); 295-317. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4991.2.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/352713661_A_new_giant_anole_from_southwestern_Ecuador

 reptilesofecuador.com/anolis_nemonteae.html

[Herpetology • 2018] Anolis dracula • A New Cryptic Species of Anolis Lizard (Iguanidae, Dactyloinae) from northwestern South America

Anolis dracula  

Yánez-Muñoz, Reyes-Puig, Reyes-Puig, Velasco, Ayala-Varela & Torres-Carvajal, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.794.26936 

Abstract

A new species of Anolis lizard from the Andean slopes of southwestern Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, from between 1187 and 2353 m in elevation, is described. The new species can be distinguished from other Anolis in squamation, cranial osteology, hemipenial morphology, and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. The new species is sister to Anolis aequatorialis, and it is suggested that previous records of A. aequatorialis in Colombia correspond to the new species described herein.

Keywords: Anolis dracula sp. n., diversity, morphology, phylogeny, Squamata, taxonomy

Figure 2. Comparison of Anolis dracula sp. n. with similar species.
From top to bottom: male of A. dracula, Holotype DHMECN 12579, 91 mm SVL; male of A. aequatorialis, not collected; male of A. fitchi DHMECN 11628, 74 mm SVL, male of A. podocarpus QCAZ 10126, 87 mm SVL.

Photographs, from top to bottom, by Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Carolina Reyes-Puig, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, and Fernando Ayala Varela. 

Figure 3. Head and throat region of Anolis aequatorialis (top, individual not collected) and Anolis dracula sp. n. (bottom left, DHMECN 12579, holotype, bottom right QCAZ 4365).

Photographs by Mario Yánez Muñoz, Carolina Reyes-Puig, and Santiago Ron.

Figure 4. Dewlap of Anolis dracula sp. n. and three similar species.
A male of A. dracula, paratype DHMECN 12579, 90.9 mm SVL B female of A. dracula, paratype DHMECN12587, 80.2 mm SVL C subadult female of A. dracula, DHMECN 12584, 53.4 mm SVL
D male of A. aequatorialis, QCAZ11605, E male of A. fitchi, QCAZ8770, 90.5 mm SVL F male of A. podocarpus, QCAZ10126, 87.0 mm SVL

Photographs by Mario Yánez-Muñoz (A, B, C), Omar Torres-Carvajal (D), Luis Coloma (E), and Santiago Ron (F). 

Figure 5. Color variation in Anolis dracula sp. n. From top to bottom: Holotype, male DHMECN 12579; male paratype DHMECN 12580; female paratype DHMECN 12760, 72.3 mm SVL; subadult male DHMECN 12578, 70.4 mm SVL.

Photographs by Mario Yánez-Muñoz.

Anolis dracula sp. n.

 Proposed standard English name: Dracula Anole 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Anolis dracula

Diagnosis: We assign Anolis dracula to the Dactyloa clade within Anolis (Poe 2004, Poe et al. 2017) based on the following combination of characters: sexual size dimorphism; large body with high numbers of lamellae; more than 20 scales across the snout; Alpha type caudal vertebrae; prefrontal bone separated from nasal; lengthened dentary and loss of angular.

Anolis dracula is most similar in morphology and coloration to A. aequatorialis (character states in parentheses), but differs from it in the following characters: large and robust hemipenes, 14 mm (4.7 mm; W = 0; p = 0.004), with a well-developed spermatic sulcus (hemipenis small; Figure 8); well-developed parietal crests, bowed outwards and projected laterally (relatively straight parietal crests, without laterally extending edges) (Figure 9); pineal foramen large, oval (rounded and small), and contacting fronto-parietal fissure (pineal foramen not contacting fronto-parietal fissure; Figure 9); rugose (smooth) basioccipital and sphenoccipital tubercles; jugal and squamosal in contact (separated by postorbital; Figure 10); posterior edge of dentary extending over more than a quarter of supra-angular (1/8 the size of supra-angular; Figure 10); dewlap scales cream (green or yellowish green) and in seven (10) rows in males, yellow or turquoise (green or yellowish green) and in five (six) rows in females (Figure 4); edge of dewlap cream (green or yellowish green); dewlap background brown or reddish brown (yellowish green to black), with orange (yellowish green, turquoise or yellowish orange) spots in males; dewlap background reddish brown to black (dark brown to black) in females; throat and chin cream splashed with dark brown (yellowish green); some males exhibit a lateral dark brown ocellus on neck, similar in size to eye (green, turquoise or brown, larger than eye); some females bear a dorsal, longitudinal brown stripe (absent; Figure 3); dark transverse bands on limbs of females weakly defined or absent (limb bands well defined in females, Figs 5, 6); smaller body size, 76.2 ± 8.5 mm SVL, (82.9 ± 9.2 mm; t = 2.96; p = 0.00431); shorter head, 20.6 ± 2.2 mm head length (21.5 ± 1.9; t = 2.18; p = 0.03328); narrower head, 11.1 ± 1.2 mm head width (12.0 ± 1.2 mm; t = 2.99; p = 0.004); shorter forelimbs, 41.4±4.3 mm (45.6 ± 5.4 mm; t = 3.44; p = 0.001); shorter hind limbs, 73.0 ± 7.7 mm (79.1 ± 8.3 mm; t = 2.999; p = 0.004); larger interparietal scale, 1.48 ± 0.25 mm in length (1.22 ± 0.2 mm; t = -4.439; p = -3.85 e-05); narrower tympanum, 2.6 ± 0.3 mm in length (2.8 ± 0.4 mm; t = 2.29; p = 0.027) (Figure 11; Tables 3–4).

Figure 13. Distribution of Anolis dracula sp. n. and A. aequatorialis.
White star represents the type locality of A. dracula and the black star the type locality of A. aequatorialis. The blue line corresponds to the Mira River Basin. The black triangles indicate samples used in the phylogeny for each species. The source of the raster layer for the map is from naturalearthdata.com.

Figure 12. Phylogeny of Dactyloa including Anolis dracula sp. n., 50% majority-rule consensus tree obtained from a Bayesian analysis of 117 specimens, two mitochondrial genes (COI, ND2) and one nuclear gene (RAG1). Numbers above branches correspond to Bayesian posterior probability (PP) values; asterisks represent PP ≥ 0.95; scale bar corresponds to the mean number of nucleotide substitutions per site.
Photographs from top to bottom: Anolis podocarpus (Santiago R. Ron-BIOWEB), A. fitchi (Juan C. Sánchez-BIOWEB), A. aequatorialis (Diego Quirola-BIOWEB), A. dracula (Mario Yánez-Muñoz). 

Etymology: The specific epithet dracula it is a noun in apposition that refers to the Dracula Reserve, located within the distribution of the new species and near its type locality. The Dracula Reserve is an initiative of the EcoMinga Foundation, sponsored by the Orchid Conservation Alliance, Rainforest Trust, University of Basel Botanical Garden, and their individual donors. The Reserve protects an area with a high diversity of orchids of the genus Dracula.

 Mario H. Yánez-Muñoz, Carolina Reyes-Puig, Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig, Julián A. Velasco, Fernando Ayala-Varela and Omar Torres-Carvajal. 2018. A New Cryptic Species of Anolis Lizard from northwestern South America (Iguanidae, Dactyloinae). ZooKeys. 794: 135-163. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.794.26936

  

Resumen: Describimos una nueva especie de Anolis de las estribaciones de los Andes del suroccidente de Colombia y noroccidente de Ecuador, entre los 1187 y 2353 metros de elevación. La nueva especie puede ser distinguida de otros Anolis por caracteres de escamación, osteología craneal, morfología hemipenial, y ADN nuclear y mitocondrial. La nueva especie es hermana de A. aequatorialis, por lo que sugerimos que los registros previos de A. aequatorialis en Colombia corresponden a la nueva especie descrita en este artículo.

Palabras clave: Anolis dracula sp. n., diversidad, filogenia, morfología, Squamata, taxonomía

[Herpetology • 2016] Anolis purpuronectes • A New Species of Semiaquatic Anolis (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico

Anolis purpuronectes 

Gray, Meza-Lázaro, Poe & Nieto-Montes de Oca, 2016  

Abstract  

We describe a new species of semiaquatic Anolis (Anolis purpuronectes) from the Chimalapas region of eastern Oaxaca and adjacent Veracruz, Mexico, and investigate its phylogenetic relationships with the closely related species A. barkeri to which the populations under investigation have previously been assigned to. Anolis barkeri and the new species appear to be allopatric, and differ primarily in male dewlap colour (red and orange in A. barkeri, pale purple in A. purpuronectes). A partitioned Bayesian analysis of the mitochondrial genes encoding ND1 (part), ND2, and the intervening tRNAs revealed that A. barkeri and A. purpuronectes are genetically distinct (uncorrected genetic distance between them=11.5%), nested within the A. schiedii group as sister species, and most closely related to a clade composed of A. cymbops, A. milleri, and A. parvicirculatus.

Key words: Anole, Anolis barkeri, Anolis schiedii group, Chimalapas, Mexico, new species, semiaquatic lizard 

 

Etymology.— The specific epithet purpuronectes, a noun in apposition, is a combination of the Latin adjective purpureus (purple) and the Greek noun nektes (a swimmer).

Anolis purpuronectes Gray, Meza-Lázaro, Poe & Nieto-Montes de Oca, 2016  

Levi Gray, Rubi Meza-Lázaro, Steven Poe and Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca. 2016. 

Anolis purpuronectes - A New Species of Semiaquatic Anolis (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico. Herpetological Journal. 26; 253–262. 

http://herp.mx/pubs/2016-Gray-et-al-A-new-species-of-semiaquatic-Anolis-from-Oaxaca-and-Veracruz-Mexico.pdf 

    

[Herpetology • 2016] Anolis landestoyi • Discovery of a Giant Chameleon-Like Lizard (Anolis) on Hispaniola and Its Significance to Understanding Replicated Adaptive Radiations

Anolis landestoyi  

Mahler, Lambert, Geneva, Ng, Hedges, Losos & Glor, 2016
  DOI:  10.1086/687566 

Abstract

We report a new chameleon-like Anolis species from Hispaniola that is ecomorphologically similar to congeners found only on Cuba. Lizards from both clades possess short limbs and a short tail and utilize relatively narrow perches, leading us to recognize a novel example of ecomorphological matching among islands in the well-known Greater Antillean anole radiation. This discovery supports the hypothesis that the assembly of island faunas can be substantially deterministic and highlights the continued potential for basic discovery to reveal new insights in well-studied groups. Restricted to a threatened band of mid-elevation transitional forest near the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, this new species appears to be highly endangered.

Keywords: community assembly, determinism, conservation, island biogeography, Dominican Republic.

D. Luke Mahler, Shea M. Lambert, Anthony J. Geneva, Julienne Ng, S. Blair Hedges, Jonathan B. Losos and Richard E. Glor. 2016. Discovery of a Giant Chameleon-Like Lizard (Anolis) on Hispaniola and Its Significance to Understanding Replicated Adaptive Radiations.  American Naturalist. DOI:  10.1086/687566

ResearchGate.net/publication/304068630_Discovery_of_a_Giant_Chameleon-Like_Lizard_Anolis_on_Hispaniola_and_Its_Significance_to_Understanding_Replicated_Adaptive_Radiations

https://www.utoronto.ca/news/new-lizard-found-dominican-republic-u-t-researchers-say

A surprising new anole http://bit.ly/1YsfprL via @HarvardResearch @EurekAlertAAAS

New lizard found in Dominican Republic http://bit.ly/1rtqTOb via @UofTNews 

https://mahlerlab.com/2016/06/17/new-amnat-paper-out-today/

[Herpetology • 2016] A Taxonomic Revision of the Norops tropidonotus complex (Squamata, Dactyloidae), with the Resurrection of N. spilorhipis (Álvarez del Toro and Smith, 1956) and the Description of Two New Species; Norops wilsoni & N. mccraniei

Norops wilsoni & N. mccraniei 

Köhler, Townsend & Petersen, 2016mesoamericanherpetology.com

Abstract 

We describe two new species of anoles from Honduras, which previously have been referred to as Norops tropidonotus by different authors: Norops mccraniei sp. nov. from the Chortís Highlands of Honduras, El Salvador, northern Nicaragua, and eastern Guatemala; and Norops wilsoni sp. nov. from the Atlantic slopes of the Cordillera Nombre de Dios (departments of Atlántida and Colón). Furthermore, we resurrect Anolis tropidonotus spilorhipis Álvarez del Toro and Smith, 1956 from synonymy with Norops tropidonotus. These four species are similar in external morphology, but differ by molecular distances, phylogenetic relationships, and in hemipenial morphology, as well as in subtle differences in several scalation and morphometric characters. Each of the six species in the N. tropidonotus complex exhibits a parapatric to allopatric distribution pattern.

Key Words: Cryptic species, DNA barcoding, hemipenial morphology, Nuclear Central America, 16S

Gunther Köhler, Josiah H. Townsend and Claus Bo P. Petersen. 2016. A Taxonomic Revision of the Norops tropidonotus complex (Squamata, Dactyloidae), with the Resurrection of N. spilorhipis (Álvarez del Toro and Smith, 1956) and the Description of Two New Species. Mesoamerican Herpetology 3: 8–41.

http://www.mesoamericanherpetology.com/uploads/3/4/7/9/34798824/kohler_et_al_mar_2016.pdf

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Resumen: Se describen dos especies nuevas de anolis de Honduras, que anteriormente se han referido como Norops tropidonotus por diferentes autores: Norops mccraniei sp. nov. de las Chortís Highlands de Honduras, El Salvador, el norte de Nicaragua y el este de Guatemala; y Norops wilsoni sp. nov. de la vertiente Atlantica de la Cordillera Nombre de Dios (departamentos de Atlantida y Colón). Ademas, revalidamos Anolis tropidonotus spilorhipis Álvarez del Toro y Smith, 1956 de la sinonimía con Norops tropidonotus. Estas cuatro especies son similares en su morfología externa, pero difieren entre si por distancias moleculares, relaciones filogenéticas, en la morfología de los hemipenes, y además en diferencias sutiles en varios caracteres de escamación y morfometría. Cada una de las seis especies en el complejo de N. tropidonotus exhibe un patrón parapátrico a alopátrico de distribución.

Palabras Claves: ADN, códigos de barras, especies crípticas, morfología del hemipene, Centroamérica Norte, 16S

[Herpetology • 2014] Mexican Amber Anole Anolis electrum within A Phylogenetic Context: Implications for the Origins of Caribbean Anoles

Figure 1. The hindlimb and abdomen of Anolis electrum (UCMP 68496), as revealed by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT; A,) and light microscopy (B). The specimen mainly comprises an air-filled void in the amber that outlines the right hindlimb, left hindtoe IV, and part of the abdomen.
(A) Skeleton and air-filled voids, in ventral view, are rendered opaque: the skeleton and mineralized skin are false-coloured white, the skin is false-coloured green, and an ant also preserved as an air-filled void is false-coloured brown. A yolk sac scar is clearly visible on the ventral side of the abdomen. The isolated left hindtoe IV lies on the ventral surface of the limb.
 (B) The limb and abdomen are clearly visible through the amber.

  DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12159

Abstract

Anoles are well-known examples of adaptive radiation and convergent evolution. Their phylogenetic relationships have been intensely studied, but their fossil record remains fairly poor, limiting our understanding of their evolutionary history. We present new data on Anolis electrum Lazell, 1965, the first discovered fossil anole and sole vertebrate described from Mexican amber, using X-ray computed tomography. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of A. electrum and comment on its use in estimating the age of Anolis origins, which has significant relevance in explaining the presence of anoles on Caribbean islands. Anolis electrum is represented by two pieces of amber containing parts of the same individual. Partial squamation and skeleton details are well preserved, although only ten characters commonly used in phylogenetic analyses could be scored. The lack of informative characters resulted in A. electrum being inferred in 14 different places within four recognized subclades – Dactyloa, cristatellus series, darlingtoni series, and Norops – one of which corresponds to previously suggested close relationships. Results fail to support a suggested age estimation of 130 Myr for Anolis; consequently, the hypothesis of overwater dispersal as the explanation for the occurrence of anoles on Caribbean islands remains the most robust hypothesis.  

Keywords: Anolis electrum; Mexican amber; phylogenetics; X-ray computed tomography

Figure 1. The hindlimb and abdomen of Anolis electrum (UCMP 68496), as revealed by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT; A, C, D) and light microscopy (B). The specimen mainly comprises an air-filled void in the amber that outlines the right hindlimb, left hindtoe IV, and part of the abdomen. (A) Skeleton and air-filled voids, in ventral view, are rendered opaque: the skeleton and mineralized skin are false-coloured white, the skin is false-coloured green, and an ant also preserved as an air-filled void is false-coloured brown. A yolk sac scar is clearly visible on the ventral side of the abdomen. The isolated left hindtoe IV lies on the ventral surface of the limb. (B) The limb and abdomen are clearly visible through the amber. (C) Close-up of the ventral view of the right foot and ant, showing details of the toepad lamellae. (D) Close-up of the dorsolateral view of the right hindfoot (excluding the ant) and the isolated left hindtoe IV, showing details of the limb and supradigital scales.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12159

Figure 2. The head, forelimbs, and partial body of Anolis electrum (UCMP 68497), as revealed by light microscopy
(A) and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT; B, C). (B) The head and body comprises few skeletal elements obscured by mineralized soft tissue. An air-filled void surrounding the left forelimb reveals scale details from midway along the humerus to the digits. In the right forelimb, the humerus, ulna, radius, metacarpals, and phalanges of all five foretoes are preserved. (C) The skull dissected from the mineralized soft tissue shown in right lateral (left) and dorsal (right) views. For illustration purposes the skull is false-coloured by bone or bone complexes, in which sutures are not visible: green, frontal and postorbital; red, jugal and maxilla; purple, pterygoid and ectopterygoid; blue, dentary, coronoid, and surangular; yellow, parietal; and turquoise, quadrate. Abbreviations: cr, coronoid; d, dentary; ect, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; hu, humerus; j, jugal; mx, maxilla; par, parietal; pto, postorbital bar; ptr, pterygoid; q, quadrate; ra, radius; su, surangular; ul, ulna. | DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12159

María del Rosario Castañeda, Emma Sherratt and Jonathan B. Losos. 2014. The Mexican Amber Anole, Anolis electrum, within A Phylogenetic Context: Implications for the Origins of Caribbean Anoles. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12159

The Fossil Species Anolis electrum Gets an X-ray Makeover
anoleannals.org/2014/08/14/the-fossil-species-anolis-electrum-gets-an-x-ray-makeover

[Herpetology / News • 2013] Anolis proboscis | Pinocchio Lizard or Horned Anole • Rediscovered In Ecuador After Being Thought Extinct For 50 Years

Pinocchio anoles Anolis proboscis were thought to be extinct for about 50 years before being recently rediscovered in the cloud forests of northwest Ecuador.

photo: Alejandro Arteaga / Tropical Herping

Biodiversity in the cloud forests of South America are renowned for producing a seemingly constant parade of beautiful, bizarre creatures. One such tropical oddity is the Pinocchio Lizard, Anolis proboscis, which was once presumed extinct and recently spotted by a team of biologists in Ecuador for only the third time in 15 years.

After three years of searching for this oddity, a group of photographers and researchers from TropicalHerping.com, Paolo Escobar, Lucas Bustamante, Diana Troya and Alejandro Arteaga were finally able to document and photograph this lizard in January of this year.

Known as the Ecuadorian Horned Anole, this bizarre creature  earns its title because of a rhinoceros like protuberance that grows out of its snout.

As you might guess, its common name was coined for its resemblance to a particular wooden puppet when he wasn’t being honest.

Pinocchio anoles Anolis proboscis are an endangered species and have been found in only four locations, mostly along a single stretch of road.

photo: Lucas Bustamante / Tropical Herping

First discovered in 1953, this unique animal was only seen on a handful of occasions for the following 15 years and was thought to have gone extinct until being rediscovered in 2005 by a group of birdwatchers that noticed one crossing a road. Another expedition summer of 2010 led by Jonathan Losos, a herpetologist from Harvard leading a group of herpetologists from Belgium, Ecuador, and the United States also found the anole.

The Pinocchio Lizard goes largely unseen due to its cryptic camouflage that helps it blend into the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. The team got around this by looking for the lizards at night instead of during the day because diurnal anoles are apparently much easier to find after dark (who would have thought?).

While Ecuadorian Horned Anoles and other day anoles hide in  plain sight during the day, they turn a pale, easy to spot whitish color when lit up with a headlamp at night!

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Pinocchio Lizard or Horned Anole Anolis proboscis Rediscovered In Ecuador After Being Thought Extinct For 50 Years

Ecuadorian Team Finds The Holy Grail of Anoles!

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539481442771885

http://www.destinationecuador.com/ecuador-pinocchio-anole.html

http://www.livescience.com/40191-pinocchio-lizard-rediscovered.html

http://www.animamundimag.com/the-cloud-forest-pinocchio-lizard/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/06/pinocchio-lizard-rediscovered-ecuador-extinct_n_4046090.html