Through Local Eyes: Unveiling the Biology of Anolis biporcatus with Citizen Science

Written by Wagner Chaves-Acuña and Diego Salas-Solano

Recent fieldwork at the stunning Veragua Rainforest Reserve in Costa Rica’s Caribbean region has brought to light fascinating new insights about Anolis biporcatus, a vibrant green lizard that spends much of its life hidden high in the forest canopy, far from human observation. Through the combined efforts of dedicated scientists and the invaluable local guides and staff at Veragua, we’ve managed to document behaviors never before recorded in this species (see Chaves-Acuña & Salas-Solano, 2024).

Collaboration is Key.

This work wasn’t accomplished by scientists alone. Our collaboration with the naturalist guides and community members at Veragua has been a key part of the process. What might seem like a groundbreaking revelation for us is often part of the daily lives of these dedicated people who live alongside these and many other forest species. Guides such as Kenneth Gonzales Najera, Francisco Araya, Mónica Rojas Rodríguez, and Junior Calderón Villalobos have contributed enormously by observing and capturing footage of the lizards’ behavior, helping us document crucial moments. Thanks to the proximity of the research station to the field sites, we are able to quickly validate and build on this information, creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge, where both science and local expertise come together to unveil nature’s mysteries.

This connection with the local community not only enhances our research but also turns them into passionate guardians of the rainforest. By participating in these projects, they become advocates for conservation and sustainable practices, helping protect the unique biodiversity of this incredible region.

Observing a Miniature World Where Every Detail Counts in the Delicate Dance of Attraction.

Visual displays are a fascinating form of lizard communication, especially during courtship and mating. Males, with their striking blue-centered, red-bordered dewlaps and females with their uniformly white dewlaps both engaged in frequent dewlap extensions during courtship. When a male flares his dewlap, he’s sending important signals about his strength, health, and even genetic fitness, helping females make informed choices about their potential mates. On the other hand, the female’s dewlap display may signal her receptivity to courtship or convey her status to other lizards of the same species. In some cases, it may even function as a way to deter unwanted advances or to assert her presence in a particular area.

The Magic of Color Change.

These lizards normally remain bright green to blend in with the leaves and branches around them. But during courtship, the males undergo rapid color transformations, shifting to darker tones with bold stripes or patches. This color dance may be a visual signal to the females or perhaps a warning to other males in the area. In one particularly dramatic moment, we witnessed a male change color just after biting the female’s neck, a gesture that often precedes mating.

Mating isn’t Easy When You Live in a Forest of Towering Trees.

Most of the time, we observed the lizards mating head-down on vertical tree trunks. The male would hold on tightly to the female with one arm and leg, wrapping the others around her midsection to ensure they stayed in contact. Sometimes, the male’s tail even helped him maintain balance. It’s amazing to see how well they’ve adapted to life in the forest’s complex, vertical world.

What’s particularly surprising is that, although Anolis biporcatus is usually found high up in the canopy, most of our observations happened at just 2 meters above the ground, with only one at 3 meters. This suggests these lizards are more flexible than we thought, using a range of heights in the forest to suit their needs.

 

High flying feasts.

One standout moment was catching a female lizard snacking on a dragonfly while hanging upside down from a leaf. This report shows that these lizards are not just about flashy dewlaps and color changes, but that they are also skilled hunters. From beetles to ants to the occasional small lizard, their menu is really diverse.

A Shared Journey in Conservation and Science

These discoveries don’t just teach us more about Anolis biporcatus, a species that hasn’t been extensively studied in the past, but they also highlight the power of collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with the local community at Veragua, we’ve gained insights that would have been impossible to achieve on our own. Together, we’re not only advancing science but also inspiring a sense of shared responsibility for the future of these incredible ecosystems.

As our work continues, we’re constantly reminded of the importance of protecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica’s rainforests. These forests hold countless secrets, and through our ongoing partnership, we hope to uncover many more while promoting sustainable practices that will safeguard this natural wonder for generations to come.

Work citation

Chaves-Acuña, W. & D. Salas-Solano. 2024. Notes on feeding and mating behavior of Anolis biporcatus (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in Costa Rica. Phyllomedusa, 23(1):87–92. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v23i1p87-92

More on the authors

Wagner Chaves-Acuña

División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wagner-Chaves-Acuna

Diego Salas-Solano

Fundación Veragua, Costa Rica

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diego-Salas-Solano