Ameiva exsul
| Puerto Rican Ground Lizard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Ameiva |
| Species: | A. exsul |
| Binomial name | |
| Ameiva exsul | |
Ameiva exsul (English vernacular: Puerto Rican ground lizard or common Puerto Rican ameiva; Spanish vernacular:iguana) is a species of lizard in the whiptail family.[1]
Distribution
Puerto Rican Ground Lizards are a relatively large lizard (max male SVL ~201 mm; max. female SVL ~99 mm) found in coastal habitats of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Isla Culebra, Isla Mona, Isla Desecheo, and most satellite islands. Two sub-species exist: Isla Mona has a smaller species Ameiva exsul alboguttata, whereas Isla Desecheo has a larger species Ameiva exsul desechensis. The species is also found in the Toro Negro State Forest.[2]
Description
Color patterns vary widely among individuals, populations, and islands. Animals are predominantly colored gray, black, or brown with large or small white dots along their backs. Dorsolateral stripes vary in number, length, and color. All individuals have a white or blue-white mottled stomach. The chin shield and throat patch are often light pink. Juveniles generally have a bright blue tail and more dots than stripes.
Biology
Ground lizards occur in habitat with open canopy structure and loose sandy soil in elevations between sea-level and 150 m where the temperature is above 24°C year-round.[3] Ground lizards forage for insects and small fruits and scavenge for dead animals or trash scraps in urban areas. Females bury 2-7 pink eggs ~ 100 mm below ground in loose soil June–August. Juveniles may have a bright blue tail, like the closely related Blue-tailed Ground Lizards, but they will lose the bright blue color in their tail with age. Individuals can live more than six years.
Threats
The principle threat to individuals is from other animals which eat ground lizards. Mammalian predators include feral cats, dogs, and mongooses (Herpestes javanicus). Avian predators include kestrels (Falco sparvarius), grackles (Quiscales niger), and Pearly-eyed Thrashers (Margarops fuscatus).
See also
References
- ↑ Ameiva exsul, The Reptile Database
- ↑ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. July 2008. [Publication/Issue: P-030] Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ↑ Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell. 2009. Natural History of West Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.