Anguilla Bank anole

Anguilla Bank anole
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Iguanidae
Subfamily: Polychrotidae
Genus: Anolis
Species: A. gingivinus
Binomial name
Anolis gingivinus
Cope, 1864
Synonyms

The Anguilla Bank anole or Anguilla anole (Anolis gingivinus) is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the Caribbean Lesser Antilles.

Geographic range

It is found on the Anguilla Bank of islands, which comprise Anguilla and its satellites, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy; and on the smaller, nearby Sombrero bank (politically part of Anguilla).

Another Anolis gingivinus on tree trunk

Description

Males can reach a length of 72 mm snout-to-vent.[1] It has an olive to light green dorsal ground color, with a broad mid-dorsal stripe and a light stripe along its flanks. Its belly is cream to bright yellow. Males may also have gray-brown marbling or be heavily spotted.

Ecology

It is widespread and common on Anguilla and many of its satellites, though it is heavily preyed on there by American kestrels. It was the only anole species on Anguilla and throughout most of its range, until the recent introduction to Anguilla of A. carolinensis.[2] A. gingivinus coexists on Saint Martin with A. pogus. Their distribution there does not completely overlap, and where they are both found they appear to fill different niches, for example by A. gingivinus preferring higher and more exposed perches.[3]

Notes

  1. Species description given in Malhotra & Thorpe 1999, p. 55.
  2. Powell & Henderson 2005, p. 70 (citing to Eaton, et al. (2001). Geographic distribution: Anolis carolinensis. Herpetol. Rev. 32:118).
  3. Malhotra & Thorpe 1999, pp. 58–59.

See also

References

External links

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