Photo by USFWS R. Colon
Hope you are all having a great week!
I have searched high and low for this anole and now I’m here to present to you, Anolis longiceps.
This anole is found only on Navassa Island. Navassa is 76 km west of Haiti, has an area of 5.4 km² and is uninhabited (by humans). The introduction of cats and dogs, as well as goats that contribute to the destruction of vegetation, have led to the Navassa Anole being listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The island also had faced habitat degradation from mining.
Navassa Anole males can get up to 83 mm (SVL), while the females are at about 76 mm. Some have light spotting which is yellow-ish in their green phase and white in their dark phase.
The name longiceps means “longhead” and refers to the anole’s snout which is described as long and tapering to a point, much like A. maynardi. Its dewlap is orange with white scales.
These pictures appear to be of the holotype (a specimen used to describe and name a new species) from the Smithsonian Institution’s Division of Amphibians and Reptiles at the NMNH.
There don’t seem to be any other pictures I can find of this anole, but if you are aware of any, please let me know!
...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
John Sullivan
I’m loving these #DidYouAnole? posts! They make me want to go island-hopping in the Caribbean in search of obscure anoles.
Chelsea Connor
I’m so happy you’re enjoying them!
Honestly, that’s one of my goals. It sounds like a great time. If you do happen to do it, please send me pictures!!