Guide To Anoles Of El Cope, Panama: The Most Species-Rich Anole Locality In The World?

Steve Poe writes: “Several island sites are famous among anolologists for harboring multiple sympatric species.  Soroa in Cuba, La Palma in the Dominican Republic, and El Yunque in Puerto Rico each have been well-studied by community ecologists.  But many mainland sites are populated by anole communities that meet or exceed the diversity levels of these island sites.  One such hyperdiverse mainland locality is El Cope in Panama.  Twelve species of Anolis may be collected within 100 meters of the field house at El Cope.

Identification of mainland anoles can be difficult as there are fewer resources available relative to those for anoles in the Caribbean.  We have produced two-panel powerpoint guides for  El Cope that should aid in identification of anoles in and around these sites.”

Small versions are attached below and the full size version can be accessed here (be patient on the download–it’s a big file).

Jonathan Losos

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4 Comments

  1. Great job!!

  2. Mr. Losos,
    We were recently on a expedition in the Darien Gap region of Panama.
    While there we saw a lizard that seems to be one of the Anole.

    Our guides told us that they had never seen if before.

    I have looked on the internet, but cannot seem to find a match. My 1st thought was a Banded Tree Anoles, but I have been told that these are pretty much exclusive to the canopy. We saw the one in question at about 4ft off the ground. My next thought was a Big Head Anole (Norops capitol). But the reality is that I don’t know and the pictures on the internet don’t seem to match fully.

    Perhaps you can help… I have attached a picture/fill.

    Regards,
    James

    • Jonathan Losos

      The short snout and big eyes make me think this is a juvenile. My guess would be a juvie A. frenatus or possibly A. kunayalae.

      • Mr Losis (Dr….?),

        I looked up these species you noted, and you seem to have “nailed it”.

        Not surprising given your expertise.

        Thank you!

        Regards,
        James

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