Anolis proboscis

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Anolis proboscis
Anolis proboscis (7269935746).jpg
Female (left) and male (right)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Dactyloidae
Genus: Anolis
Species:
A. proboscis
Binomial name
Anolis proboscis
Peters & Orces, 1956

Anolis proboscis, commonly known as the horned anole, Ecuadorian horned anole[2] or Pinocchio lizard,[3] is a small anole lizard in the family Dactyloidae. A single male specimen was discovered in 1953 in Ecuador and formally described by Peters and Orces in 1956, but the species then went unreported until its rediscovery in 2004. Its currently known habitat is a small stretch of vegetation along an Ecuadorian highway. It has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to its restricted distribution and ongoing habitat loss.

Description[]

Anolis proboscis has very short limbs and a small body. Four main movement behaviors have been observed: crawling (most common), walking, running, and jumping.[4]

Anolis proboscis has a total body length (excluding tail) of roughly 5–7.5 cm (2.0–3.0 in). Males possess a conspicuous proboscis, an elongated structure arising from the middle of the snout and about 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in length; it appears to be used in courtship displays, as is the dewlap that is present in both sexes. There appear to be several colour morphs, with colouration ranging from yellowish-green to brown with orange or black markings, and generally a white belly.[5]

Distribution and Habitat[]

Based on the few localities known, the species inhabits montane forest habitats in the Chocó, where it keeps to high trees.[1][6] Specimens have predominantly been found in primary and secondary vegetation along a well-traveled dirt road. Only five localities in total are currently known, with a maximum distance of 13 km (8 mi) between the two farthest ones. While the area of occurrence includes pasture land and secondary forest, it is likely that the species also lives in other mid-altitude (1,200–1,650 m or 3,940–5,410 ft) areas in the Ecuadorian Andes.[1]

Observations in the Mindo area of Ecuador located the species in apple trees and bamboo plants, as well as in disturbed forest habitats.[4]

Conservation[]

The species is currently classified as Endangered due to its possibly restricted distribution in combination with ongoing threats in the form of habitat loss from logging, human settlement, agriculture, and grazing.[1]

The species was feared to be extinct when it was not seen after the original collection in 1953. It was rediscovered in 2004 when an individual was seen and photographed in a cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, by a visiting ornithologist.[7] In August 2009, a herpetology expedition from the University of New Mexico located the species in a remote region of Ecuador. In total, they found five individuals including three males and the first two females ever seen and collected.[5] Since 2009, several other expeditions were able to relocate the species in remote regions of Ecuador.[8]

Speciation[]

Among anoles, only three species have a proboscis, the other being the poorly known and rarely seen Amazonian A. laevis and A. phyllorhinus.[9][6] Despite this similarity and the historical inclusion of all three in the laevis group, A. phyllorhinus does not appear to be closely related to the two others, which however do appear to be close relatives and part of the "Phenacosaurus" group. The proboscis is likely the result of convergent evolution.[5][6]

Diet[]

The species is omnivorous and has a diverse diet. The stomach can hold anywhere between 4-16 prey items. A large array of different insects is preyed on, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, bugs and hymenoptera. Consumed plant material includes flower petals, pieces of wood, and seeds.[4]

Mating[]

Pinocchio Anolis (Anolis proboscis) in Ecuador (19312208744).jpg

A number of different behaviours connected to mating behaviour have been recorded. Initially it was assumed that the proboscis played a role in reproduction, but this has not been confirmed.[10]

Courtship[]

In order to attract a mate both males and females display their dewlaps, employing variations of extension lengths. Males have been seen with their dewlaps extended and their proboscis drooped downward while courting.[4] Males are able to slowly change the stiffness and direction of their horns when courting. Other courting behaviors that have been observed include swinging of the head from side to side and up and down when approaching a female all while the dewlap is displayed, either half or fully extended.[11] Courtship is deemed successful if and when the females runs past the male and continues in the opposite direction which leads to the second stage of mating called chasing.

Chasing progresses when the female prompts the male to follow by running past him in the opposite direction. It involves the male following the female in quick short sprints while frequently bobbing their heads in the same pattern as seen in courtship. If the male cannot successfully follow the female, no mating occurs. [11]

Next, the stimulation stage begins when the male catches the female and the female arches her neck in response, signifying readiness for copulation. The male must mount the female and find a good position to copulate in. As the male does this he is constantly rubbing her nape with the tip of his snout in order to stimulate the female and to elevate the female's rostral appendage.[11]

Copulation[]

The copulation stage begins after the male and female have found an appropriate position together. Once this happens the male inserts one of his hemipenes into her cloaca.[11] There is no specific time length for copulation but mating ends when the male and female have separated.

Conflict between males[]

Male agonistic behaviors that occur when two males attempt to court the same female. Non-violent agonistic behaviors from males include attempts to display at each other, chase the other male away, open their mouths to display teeth, arch their neck, raise their backs and probosces, and keep their heads down.[11] These behaviors are intended to scare away the other males. Violent agonistic behaviors can include biting and pushing of other males.[11] Agonistic behaviors can last as long as it takes for the other male to stop attempting courtship.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Arteaga-Navarro, A.; Mayer, G.C.; Poe, S.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2019). "Anolis proboscis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T178727A18975861. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T178727A18975861.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ "SICB 2015: Anolis proboscis Display Behavior". Anole Annals. 2015-01-06.
  3. ^ "Efforts to save the rare 'Pinocchio lizard' which was once thought extinct". ScienceDaily.
  4. ^ a b c d Losos, Jonathan B.; Woolley, Melissa L.; Mahler, D. Luke; Torres-Carvajal, Omar; Crandell, Kristen E.; Schaad, Eric W.; Narváez, Andrea E.; Ayala-Varela, Fernando; Herrel, Anthony (2012). "Notes on the Natural History of the Little-Known Ecuadorian Horned Anole, Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 531 (1): 1–17. doi:10.3099/531.1. ISSN 0006-9698.
  5. ^ a b c Poe, Steven; Ayala, Fernando; Latella, Ian M.; Kennedy, Thomas L.; Christensen, James A.; Gray, Levi N.; Blea, Natalie J.; Armijo, Beeling M.; Schaad, Eric W. (2012). "Morphology, phylogeny, and behavior of Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 530: 1–11. doi:10.3099/530.1.
  6. ^ a b c Yánez-Muñoz, M.H.; M.A. Urgilés; M. Altamirano Benavides; S.R. Cáceres (2010). "Redescripción de Anolis proboscis Peters & Orcés (Reptilia: Polychrotidae), con el descubrimiento de las hembras de la especie y comentarios sobre su distribución y taxonomía". Avances en Ciencias e Ingeniería. 2 (3): 1–14. doi:10.18272/aci.v2i3.39.
  7. ^ Almendariz, A. C.; Vogt, C. (2007). "Anolis proboscis (Squamata: Polychrotidae), Una lagartija rara pero no extinta" (PDF). Politécnica. 27 (4): Biología 7 133–135.
  8. ^ Main, D. (2013-10-04). "Once 'Extinct' Pinocchio Lizard Pokes His Nose Out". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  9. ^ Rodrigues, M.T.; V. Xavier; G. Skuk; D. Pavan (2002). "New specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus (Squamata, Polychrotidae): the first female of the species and of proboscid anoles". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo). 42 (16). doi:10.1590/S0031-10492002001600001.
  10. ^ Poe, Steven; Ayala, Fernando; Latella, Ian M.; Kennedy, Thomas L.; Christensen, James A.; Gray, Levi N.; Blea, Natalie J.; Armijo, Beeling M.; Schaad, Eric W. (2012). "Morphology, Phylogeny, and Behavior of Anolis proboscis". Breviora. 530 (1): 1–11. doi:10.3099/530.1. ISSN 0006-9698.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Rodríguez, Quirola; Ricardo, Diego (2015). "Insights into social interactions in the Ecuadorian horned anole, Anolis proboscis". Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

External links[]

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