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Anolis agassizi

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Species of lizard

Anolis agassizi
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Dactyloidae
Genus: Anolis
Species: A. agassizi
Binomial name
Anolis agassizi
Stejneger, 1900
Synonyms
  • Anolis agassizi
    Stejneger, 1900
  • Dactyloa agassizi
    — Nicholson et al., 2005
  • Anolis agassizi
    — Zug, 2013

Anolis agassizi, Agassiz's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is endemic to Malpelo Island, which is part of Colombia.

Etymology

The specific name, agassizi, is in honour of Alexander Agassiz, who was an American zoologist and mining engineer.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of A. agassizi is moist rocky areas, at altitudes from sea level to 376 m (1,234 ft).

Description

Males of A. agassizi grow to 89–114 mm (3.5–4.5 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL), while females may reach 79–84 mm (3.1–3.3 in) SVL. The females and some of the males have spotted heads and grey-brown colouration. The remainder of the males have black nuptial crests, grow larger, and have larger testes. The reason for this is unknown, but may be related to the reduced predation on larger males.

Ecology

Anolis agassizi is less territorial than other anoles, sharing perches and food sources without dispute. Their territories often overlap. Malpelo Island is quite barren of vegetation, and the anoles mainly eat insects, especially beetles. Based on an attraction to the colour orange, they may also eat bird eggs, as large numbers of boobies nest on the island. Their main predator is Diploglossus millepunctatus.

Reproduction

A. agassizi is oviparous.

References

  1. ^ Bolívar, W.; Castañeda, M.R.; Gutiérrez-Cárdenas, P.; Velasco, J. (2020). "Anolis agassizi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T44577203A44577210. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T44577203A44577210.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Anolis agassizi ". The Reptile Database. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Anolis&species=agassizi
  3. 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 agassizi, p. 2).
  4. ^ Graham, Jeffrey B. (editor) (1975). "The Biological Investigation of Malpelo Island, Colombia". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology Number 176. http://www.sil.si.edu/smithsoniancontributions/zoology/pdf_hi/SCTZ-0176.pdf

Further reading

  • Stejneger L (1900). "Descriptions of two New Lizards of the genus Anolis from Cocos and Malpelo Islands". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy at Harvard College 36 (6): 161-164 + one plate. (Anolis agassizi, new species, pp. 161–163).
Taxon identifiers
Anolis agassizi


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