Can you identify this anole? If not, don’t despair. The Anolekey is here to help.

In 1995 Ernest Williams and collaborators published a landmark underappreciated paper describing their “computer approach” to identification of Anolis lizards (Williams et al. Breviora 502:1-47). These authors employed the data management and programming tool HyperCard to produce an application that matched a set of character scores from an unknown specimen to scores for the same characters in Williams’ vast database of Anolis. This “Anolis Handlist” was a stark and wonderful departure from the dichotomous keys standardly used by taxonomists and field biologists.

With this post I announce the release of a preliminary version of a new computer key to Anolis. This key operates similarly to the Handlist, but uses the Lucid platform. Dear readers of Anole Annals, I am writing to request your help to Beta-test this first version of the key. A few notes regarding use of the key:

–The key is accessible through http://www.stevenpoe.net/anole-key-and-collecting-guide.html. Use password “EEW” for access.

–Use of the key should be fairly intuitive (Figure 1), but will be most efficient if the manuscript describing the key (posted on the website) is accessed prior to use. The key is intended for use both in the field—where dewlap photos and obvious traits such as body size and locality are likely to be informative—and in identifying museum specimens. For this latter function of identifying preserved individuals, entering information for many characters may be critical for accuracy.

Figure 1. If you tell the key you have found an anole at 1650 meters elevation in the Eastern Andes of Ecuador with a body length of 90 millimeters, the key identifies Anolis fitchi and A. podocarpus as the most likely species. The “Differences” function suggests these two species may be distinguished by dewlap scalation.

–Trait data for every species of Anolis (n = 398; see justification for species sample at stevenpoe.net; Figure 2) were taken from 1000s of preserved specimens and from observation of 273 species of Anolis in life during fieldwork in 19 countries. Thirty-three characters are employed to identify species. Example conditions for each character are figured with photographs.

Figure 2. The key includes trait data for every species of Anolis.

–Dewlap photos for 248 species are included. A long-term goal is to include (preferably male) dewlap photos for every species. Please consider contributing dewlap photos that would enhance the key (see below).

–Some other anole-related items on the website are pertinent to the key, or perhaps of additional interest. These items include an Anolis species list, Type descriptions for all recognized species of Anolis, justification for recognized species, photo guides to a few local anole faunas, and a manuscript describing how to catch anoles.

–Male dewlap photos needed: agassizi, alayoni, alfaroi, allisoni, altavelensis, altitudinalis, alumina, anatoloros, anchicayae, anfiloquiae, annectens, antioquiae, argillaceus, armouri, baracoae, barbouri, bellipeniculus, bimaculatus, birama, biscutiger, blanquillanus, bonairensis, brasiliensis, bremeri, breslini, brunneus, caceresae, capito, caquetae, carlostoddi, centralis, charlesmyersi, chlorodius, chrysolepis, chrysops, clivicola, cobanensis, confusus, cristifer, cryptolimifrons, cupeyalensis, cuprinus, cyanopleurus, cyanostictus, cymbops, darlingtoni, desechensis, dissimilis, distichus [d. distichus: New Providence Island, Bahamas], divius, dracula, eladioi, ernestwilliamsi, euskalerriari, favillarum, forresti, fugitivus, fungosus, gingivinus, gonavensis, griseus, guafe, guazuma, haetianus, haguei, heteropholidotus, huilae, ignigularis, imias, immaculogularis, inderenae, inexpectatus, insolitus, juangundlanchi, kahouannensis, kreutzi, laevis, lamari, landestoyi, lividus, longiceps, loveridgei, luciae, lucius, macilentus, macrophallus, maia, menta, meridionalis, microtus, mirus, monensis, monteverde, morazani, muralla, nasofrontalis, neblininus, nelsoni, nicefori, oligaspis, onca, oporinus, paravertebralis, phyllorhinus, pigmaequestris, pijolense, planiceps, pogus, porcus, prasinorius, properus, propinquus, pseudopachypus, pseudotigrinus, purpurgularis, pygmaeus, ravitergum, rejectus, rivalis, roatanensis, roosevelti, rubribarbaris, rubribarbus, ruibali, ruizii, sabanus, santamartae, schwartzi, shrevei,singularis, solitarius, spectrum, squamulatus, strahmi, tandai, tenorioensis, terueli, tetarii, tigrinus, toldo, townsendi, triumphalis, umbrivagus, vanidicus, vaupesianus, vescus, vicarius, villai, wattsi, wellbornae, wermuthi, whitemani.

–To close, a caveat and a plea for help: This is a first version. In spite of my best efforts over 10+ years of work on this key, there undoubtedly are many errors in scoring for many species. I certainly have missed some reported invasions, failed to measure an especially large specimen of some species, and neglected to record a comprehensive range of trait values for some species, among other failings. My fervent hope is that colleagues will join me in vetting this key via its use in the field and in museum studies. The current version of the key will not ensure accurate identification of all specimens of anoles. But hopefully this key is a starting point that may achieve some utility as a preliminary guide to the species of this group. Future versions, with the help of colleagues, may eventually serve as an authoritative guide to anole identification.

–For questions and comments regarding the key and submission of dewlap photos: kunayalae@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

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