Photo by R. Graham Reynolds
Hey!
It feels like its been more than a week, full of worm drama, but I promise it has not. I wouldn’t leave you without a post that long. Anoles obviously are the best study species.
I thought it would be good to stay in the Bahamas, Cay Sal specifically, with the Cay Sal Anole, Anolis fairchildi.
Photo by Michael Sorenson
These anoles are endemic to Cay Sal; the species is another one in the A. carolinensis series, but is not closely related to our friend, A. smaragdinus. The island is fairly difficult to get to, so not a lot of people have seen these anoles to take pictures (and information) of them, but I did find some. They look very much like some of the other green anoles in this series.
Photo by Alberto R. Puente-Rolon
Look how unimpressed he is. I think this is one of my favourite features of all these anoles.
The Cay Sal Anole can get up to 11.65 g in weight and 75 mm SVL (males). Like their cousins, A. fairchildi has a pink-y dewlap!
If you want to read more, here’s Dr. Reynolds talking about his trip to Cay Sal and finding these anoles (it’s in three parts), and the resulting paper.
This one was pretty short, but that’s why we need more people doing anole research so we can learn more about all of these lizards.
Thanks for reading! I’ve been appreciating your comments as well!
...And also like every other anole. Every week. #DidYouAnole?
- #DidYouAnole – Anolis allogus - December 24, 2021
- #DidYouAnole – Anolis gundlachi - November 12, 2021
- #DidYouAnole – Anolis phyllorhinus - November 5, 2021
Peter Uetz
Hmm, Poe et al. 2017 actually say that fairchildi is closely related to smaragdinus: https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syx029 (see Fig. 2, very top).
Chelsea Connor
Hmm. Well actually Peter, according to Reynolds et al. 2018, they aren’t:
https://doi.org/10.3099/MCZ45.1
Peter Uetz
You are right — very interesting how different studies can come to very different conclusions. I will make a note in the Reptile Database. Thanks!
Chelsea Connor
Yes. I am. Because I actually do research all of these and don’t make assumptions. Thanks for reading!