Author: Aryeh Miller Page 1 of 3

The Panamanian Anolis apletophallus is the most recent anole reference genome and the first mainland species to have one. Photo credit to agonzalo on iNaturalist (license CC 4.0).

This week, anoles are in the genomic spotlight for three papers– Pirani et al. (2023), Taft et al. (2023), and Farleigh et al. (2023). I’ve briefly highlighted each below, but check em’ all out!

New literature alert!

Pirani et al. (2023) usher in a new age of Anolis lizard biology by publishing the first mainland anole reference genome– a Panamanian species, Anolis apletophallus. It’s a great assembly (scaffold N50 of 154 Mb with an estimated 2.4 Gbp genome), and will be an excellent resource for the community as we continue to expand our genomic stockpile for this group. Give their new paper a read in G3: Genes, Genomes, and Genetics.

Taft et al. (2023) provide the first reference genomes for two species of Bradypodion, the dwarf chameleons. Synteny analysis (looking at gene order conservation across chromosomes) between the two chameleons and Anolis sagrei demonstrates relatively conserved genomic structure across greater than 150 million years of divergence!

Farleigh et al. (2023) investigate the natural hybridization of two Puerto Rican grass anoles–A. pulchellus andA. krugi–using a ddRAD approach (genome-wide SNPs) to understand the directionality of introgression, and how this pattern of introgression is differentially reflected in the genomes of populations across the island.

Evolution 2023 is here!

Greetings from the Land of Enchantment, folks! I’m down here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the Anolis beat at the Evolution 2023 conference covering all things anole lizards. We’ve got several great presentations lined up, so if you’re at #Evolution2023, be sure to check em’ out and say hi!

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The familiar name “Dactyloidae” is no more, as “Anolidae” is the taxonomically appropriate nomenclature for the family under the Zoological Code. As a result, all anoles, such as the A. porcatus above, are now part of the family Anolidae.

In a recent paper in Herpetological Review, Kevin de Queiroz clarifies the family nomenclature of the clade containing Anolis lizards.

Kevin has kindly provided the following abstract to Anole Annals for his article below:

Under rank-based nomenclature, Anolis is currently assigned to the family Dactyloidae under the premise that Dactyloidae is the oldest name in the family group based on the name of a genus included in that taxon (even if that genus is not recognized by subsequent authors who recognize the family). The name Dactyloidae Fitzinger 1843 has been considered to have priority over Anolidae, which has been attributed to Cope (1864). However, Cope (1864) is not the original author of the name Anolidae, which was proposed some 28 years earlier by Cocteau (1836) in a publication that has been overlooked by recent authors. Anolidae Cocteau 1836 has priority over Dactyloidae Fitzinger 1843, and therefore Anolidae is the valid (correct) name of the family that contains the genus Anolis. The publication by Cocteau (1836) also establishes that Cocteau, and not Duméril and Bibron (1837), is the author of the species name Anolis loysiana (originally proposed as Acantholis loysiana).

New literature alert!

The Correct Name for the Taxon Ranked as a Family Containing the Genus Anolis under Rank-based Nomenclature and the Author of the Name Anolis loysiana

Check out the full article in Herpetological Review

de Queiroz (2022)

mCT reconstruction of the second specimen (USNM 5095) of Anolis incredulus (from de Queiroz et al. 2023).

Anolis incredulus, a poorly known Cuban species from the angusticeps species group, is lonely no more. In a recent paper, de Queiroz et al. (2023) report the discovery of an additional specimen of A. incredulus collected more than 100 years prior to the collection of the holotype. The additional specimen (USNM 5095) was tucked away in the Smithsonian’s collection and wasn’t discovered until co-author Esther Langan noticed that specimens in a series labeled as A. guazuma actually appeared to comprise two separate taxa. Upon investigation, one specimen in particular–USNM 5095–was concluded to likely represent the second specimen of A. incredulus. In their paper, de Queiroz et al. redescribe the morphology of this species, infer its phylogenetic position using morphological characters, and note the paucity of ecological data for this anole. Give it a read, it’s open access in Zootaxa!

New literature alert!

No longer in doubt: Discovery of a second specimen corroborates the validity of Anolis incredulus Garrido and Moreno 1998 (Reptilia, Iguania)

In Zootaxa

de Queiroz, Huie, and Langan (2023)

Abstract:

The species Anolis incredulus was proposed based on a single, poorly preserved specimen from the Sierra Maestra (mountain range) of southeastern Cuba. As its name suggests, this species was considered likely to raise doubts when it was first proposed, and it has been explicitly treated by some recent authors as a species inquirenda (a species of doubtful identity). Here we report on a second specimen of Anolis incredulus discovered in the amphibian and reptile collection of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) that was collected more than 100 years before the holotype. We describe this specimen in detail and compare it both with the description of the holotype of A. incredulus and with presumed closely related Cuban species, providing evidence that it matches closely with the former and is distinct from the latter, thus corroborating the status of A. incredulus as a valid species. We also score and measure the specimen for sets of morphological characters to make inferences about its phylogenetic relationships and ecology (structural habitat use). Our results indicate that Anolis incredulus is likely a member of a clade of mostly Cuban twig-anole species and that it is a member of the twig ecomorph category, although its reported green coloration suggests either an erroneous ecomorph assignment or a difference in color from that of most other species of Cuban twig anoles.

1st place: A. carolinensis — Aaron Alcala

Aryeh Miller and Ansley Petherick

Thank you once again to everyone who participated in this year’s Anole Annals photo contest! We received over 800 total votes from 14 different countries, and now we’re ready to announce the results. First up, the grand prize winner is the photo above of an Anolis carolinensis from Georgia taken by Aaron Alcala. The second place winner is below, Anolis marmoratus from Guadeloupe, by Robert Hoogveld. Congratulations!

2nd place A. marmoratus — Robert Hoogveld

The rest of the winners are below, and their photos can be seen in the 2023 calendar here! Click the link to order your calendar. Order one tonight while they are 50% off for Cyber Monday!

Congrats again to all the winners, and happy holidays!

A. marmoratus — Robert Hoogveld

A. opalinus — Alyssa Vanerelli

A. sagrei (wild-type and albino) — Aaron Alcala

A. barbatus — Aaron Alcala

A. garmani — Alyssa Vanerelli

A. smallwoodi–Robin White

A. carolinensis — Aaron Alcala

A. marmoratus — Thomas Ackermann

A. sagrei (wild-type and albino) — Aaron Alcala

A. biporcatus — TJ Francisco

A. equestris — Aaron Alcala

A. allisoni — Delton Howard

The Finalists Are In!

Thanks to all who submitted photos for the Anole Annals calendar contest–we received lots of great submissions! We’ve narrowed it down to the top 32, and now it’s time for you to vote! Here’s a slideshow of the finalists:

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Vote Now!

Choose your 6 favorites in the poll below by checking the box next to your picks– you can right-click on the thumbnail to view full-size images in the poll. You have just over a week to vote – the poll closes on 11/23/22 (a Wednesday) at 11:59pm. Spread the word!

The deadline for the Anole Annals photo contest is quickly approaching! This Anolis equestris would like to remind you to submit your photos by Tuesday, November 1! Photo credit Ianaré Sévi, Wikimedia Commons.

Reminder! We’re rapidly approaching submission deadline for the annual Anole Annals photo contest! We’ve already received some superb submissions, and can’t wait to see those that will roll in by the deadline– this coming Tuesday, November 1, 2022! Get those photos in!

See below text for submission instructions, and the original announcement.

The Rules

Submit your photos (as many as you’d like) as email attachments to anoleannalsphotos@gmail.com. To make sure that your submissions arrive, please send an accompanying email without any attachments to confirm that we’ve received them. Photos must be at least 150 dpi and print to a size of 11 x 17 inches. If you are unsure how to resize your images, the simplest thing to do is to submit the raw image files produced by your digital camera (or if you must, a high quality scan of a printed image).  If you elect to alter your own images, don’t forget that it’s always better to resize than to resample. Images with watermarks or other digital alterations that extend beyond color correction, sharpening and other basic editing will not be accepted. We are not going to deal with formal copyright law and ask only your permission to use your image for the calendar and related content on Anole Annals (more specifically, by submitting your photos, you are agreeing to allow us to use them in the calendar). We, in turn, agree that your images will never be used without attribution and that we will not profit financially from their use (the small amount of royalties we receive are used to purchase calendars for the winners). Please only submit photos you’ve taken yourself, not from other photographers–by submitting photos, you are declaring that you are the photographer and have the authority to allow the photograph to be used in the calendar if it is chosen.

Please provide a short description of the photo that includes: (1) the species name, (2) the location where the photo was taken, and (3) any other relevant information. Be sure to include your full name in your email as well. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2022.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your photos!

This hungry Anolis carolinensis is here to remind the AA readership that the photo contest submission deadline is approximately two weeks away! Get ’em in! Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

Reminder–we’re just about two weeks away from the submission for deadline for the annual Anole Annals photo contest! We’ve already received some superb submissions, and can’t wait to see those that will roll in by the deadline, November 1, 2022!

See below text for submission instructions, and the original announcement.

The Rules

Submit your photos (as many as you’d like) as email attachments to anoleannalsphotos@gmail.com. To make sure that your submissions arrive, please send an accompanying email without any attachments to confirm that we’ve received them. Photos must be at least 150 dpi and print to a size of 11 x 17 inches. If you are unsure how to resize your images, the simplest thing to do is to submit the raw image files produced by your digital camera (or if you must, a high quality scan of a printed image).  If you elect to alter your own images, don’t forget that it’s always better to resize than to resample. Images with watermarks or other digital alterations that extend beyond color correction, sharpening and other basic editing will not be accepted. We are not going to deal with formal copyright law and ask only your permission to use your image for the calendar and related content on Anole Annals (more specifically, by submitting your photos, you are agreeing to allow us to use them in the calendar). We, in turn, agree that your images will never be used without attribution and that we will not profit financially from their use (the small amount of royalties we receive are used to purchase calendars for the winners). Please only submit photos you’ve taken yourself, not from other photographers–by submitting photos, you are declaring that you are the photographer and have the authority to allow the photograph to be used in the calendar if it is chosen.

Please provide a short description of the photo that includes: (1) the species name, (2) the location where the photo was taken, and (3) any other relevant information. Be sure to include your full name in your email as well. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2022.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your photos!

Which anole species will grace the pages of this year’s calendar? Pictured here is Anolis allisoni. Photograph from Wikimedia Commons.

The Anole Annals Photo Contest: 2022 Edition

Welcome to the Anole Annals Photo Contest! As in previous years, we at Anole Annals want your best anole photographs for our 2023 calendar.

Here’s how it works: anyone who wants to participate can submit their favorite photos. The editors of Anole Annals will choose a set of 30-40 finalists from that initial pool. We’ll then put those photos up for a vote on this blog, and the 12 winning photos will be chosen by readers of Anole Annals, as well as a panel of anole photography experts. The grand prize winning photo will be featured on the front cover of the 2023 Anole Annals calendar, and the second place winner will be featured on the back cover; both photographers will win a free calendar!

The Rules

Submit your photos (as many as you’d like) as email attachments to anoleannalsphotos@gmail.com. To make sure that your submissions arrive, please send an accompanying email without any attachments to confirm that we’ve received them. Photos must be at least 150 dpi and print to a size of 11 x 17 inches. If you are unsure how to resize your images, the simplest thing to do is to submit the raw image files produced by your digital camera (or if you must, a high quality scan of a printed image).  If you elect to alter your own images, don’t forget that it’s always better to resize than to resample. Images with watermarks or other digital alterations that extend beyond color correction, sharpening and other basic editing will not be accepted. We are not going to deal with formal copyright law and ask only your permission to use your image for the calendar and related content on Anole Annals (more specifically, by submitting your photos, you are agreeing to allow us to use them in the calendar). We, in turn, agree that your images will never be used without attribution and that we will not profit financially from their use (the small amount of royalties we receive are used to purchase calendars for the winners). Please only submit photos you’ve taken yourself, not from other photographers–by submitting photos, you are declaring that you are the photographer and have the authority to allow the photograph to be used in the calendar if it is chosen.

Please provide a short description of the photo that includes: (1) the species name, (2) the location where the photo was taken, and (3) any other relevant information. Be sure to include your full name in your email as well. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2022.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your photos!

Green anoles have become a cause for concern in Japan, as the arrival of this invasive species commenced the decline of several range-restricted arthropods. Credit Judy Gallagher, Wikimedia Commons.

While green anoles may be a pleasant sight throughout their native range, they’ve become cause for concern in Japan–just one region of the Pacific where this species has invaded and become successfully established. The arrival of these anoles initiated a decline of several endemic arthropods, propelling a handful of subsequent studies on the invasion biology of this species. The most recent contribution to Anolis carolinensis ecology and biology in Japan is from Mitani (2022), who collected and analyzed perch ecology data on the Ogasawara Islands–check it out!

New literature alert!

Selectivity of Perch Diameter by Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) for Trapping in Ogasawara