Anolis apletophallus
StatusLC
Status systemIUCN3.1
GenusAnolis
Speciesapletophallus
AuthorityKöhler and Sunyer, 2008

Anolis apletophallus is a species of anoles, iguanian lizards in the family Dactyloidae native to Panama. The species was split from Anolis limifrons in Köhler and Sunyer (2008).[1] It has been reported in Panama, Honduras and Colombia.[2] A decline in its population in Panama over a 40-year timespan has been attributed to changes in local climate, with years following El Niño negatively affecting the species.[3]

History and taxonomy

Only fairly recently recognized as its own species, the specific epithet of this species translates to "immense penis", due to its large bi-lobed hemipenis as an identifying feature described by Köhler and Sunyer (2008).[1]

Description

A. apletophallus is a relatively small mainland anole getting to about 40–45 mm (snout-to-vent), but have a large dewlap relative to their body size. The species displays dewlap polymorphism, where some populations' dewlaps are orange, while others are white with a basal orange dot, and others still display both dewlap morphs. No genetic differences were found between individuals with different dewlap morphs.[4] They are rather short-lived with a 9 month generation time making them an annual species, with the adults reaching maturity in about 4–6 months.

Distribution and habitat

A. apletophallus is a mainland species native to Panama and may also be found in Colombia.[5][2]

References

  1. ^ Köhler, Gunther & Sunyer, Javier (March 2008). "Two New Species of Anoles Formerly Referred to as Anolis limifrons (Squamata: Polychrotidae)". Herpetologica. 64 (1): 92–108. doi:10.1655/07-027.1. ISSN 0018-0831. S2CID 86734273
  2. ^ "Anolis apletophallus Köhler & Sunyer, 2008". 7669267. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  3. ^ Stapley, Jessica; Garcia, Milton; Andrews, Robin M. (2015-02-11). "Long-Term Data Reveal a Population Decline of the Tropical Lizard Anolis apletophallus, and a Negative Affect [sic] of El Nino Years on Population Growth Rate". PLOS ONE. 10 (2). Navas, Carlos A (ed.). Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1015450S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0115450. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 4325001. PMID 25671423
  4. ^ Stapley, Jessica; Wordley, Claire; Slate, Jon (2011-01-01). "No Evidence of Genetic Differentiation Between Anoles With Different Dewlap Color Patterns". The Journal of Heredity. 102 (1): 118–24. doi:10.1093/jhered/esq104. PMID 20861275
  5. ^