Anolis luciae
| St. Lucia anole | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Dactyloidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: | A. luciae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anolis luciae Garman, 1887
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Anolis luciae, also known commonly as the St. Lucia anole or the 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.
Etymology
The specific name, luciae, refers to the island of Saint Lucia.[3]
Geographic range
Anolis luciae is widespread on Saint Lucia and its offshore islets.[4]
Description
The coloration and markings of Anolis luciae vary. Its dorsal ground colour ranges from brown in drier habitats to bright green in wetter areas. Some populations have blue coloration on the sides, and the ventral surface may be white or yellowish. The area around the eye may be white, blue, or green. Males may be patternless or have reticulations or chevron patterns on the dorsal surface. Females are duller than males, and may have a mid-dorsal stripe or dark chevron markings.[4]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Anolis luciae is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft), but it is also found in agricultural areas.[1]
Diet
Anolis luciae eats fruits and yams.[1]
Reproduction
Anolis luciae is oviparous.[1][2]
Invasive species
Anolis luciae co-exists on Saint Lucia with two introduced anole species: A. extremus and A. wattsi. A. luciae appears to be resisting competition, and the two invasive species are restricted to areas around the capital, Castries.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Daltry, J.C.; Powell, R.; Dewynter, M.; Mahler, D.L. (2020). "Anolis luciae ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T74995782A75171691. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/74995782/75171691. Downloaded on 29 March 2021.
- ^ a b Species Anolis luciae at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Anolis luciae, p. 162).
- ^ a b c Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1999). Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean. Oxford, England: Macmillan Education. 144 pp. ISBN 0-333-69141-5 (Anolis luciae, p. 93).
Further reading
- Garman S (1887). "On West Indian Reptiles. Iguanidæ". Bulletin of the Essex Institute 19: 25–50. (Anolis luciæ, new species, pp. 44–46).
- Johansson, Helena; Surget-Groba, Yann; Gow, Jennifer L.; Thorpe, Roger S. (2008). "Development of microsatellite markers in the St Lucia Anole, Anolis luciae ". Molecular Ecology Resources. 8 (6): 1408–1410.
- Schwartz A, Henderson RW (1991). Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press. 720 pp. ISBN 978-0813010496. (Anolis luciae, p. 292).
- Schwartz A, Thomas R (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Anolis luciae, pp. 89–90).