Anolis jacare Boulenger, 1903

Ugueto, Gabriel N., Barros, Gilson Rivas Fuenmayor Tito, Sánchez- Pacheco, Santiago J. & García-Pérez, Juan E., 2007, A revision of the Venezuelan Anoles I: A new Anolis species from the Andes of Venezuela with the redescription of Anolis jacare Boulenger 1903 (Reptilia: Polychrotidae) and the clarification of the status of Anolis nigropunctatus Williams 1974, Zootaxa 1501 (1), pp. 1-30 : 6-16

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.1501.1.1

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CEC342E-1A8D-4C75-9EAC-0E5970BF3591

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/547F383D-0D18-FFF0-FF17-FB92FCD51DE8

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Anolis jacare Boulenger, 1903
status

 

Anolis jacare Boulenger, 1903

( Figs. 1–4 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 )

Anolis jacare: Boulenger, 1903: 482 (Syntypes original register number BMNH 1903.4.28.3-7, re-registered after World War II as BMNH 1946.8.12.80-84 Colin McCarthy BMNH pers. comm., three males and two females, examined, type-locality: Mérida, 1600 m, Venezuela); Peters et al., 1970: 56; Williams et al., 1970; Williams, 1982: 29.

Anolis nigropunctatus: Williams, 1974: 2 (New synonymy) (holotype ILS 21, male, examined, type-locality: El Diamante, Norte de Santander, Colombia); Williams, 1982: 28.

Dactyloa jacare (Boulenger) : Savage and Guyer, 1989: 108.

Dactyloa nigropunctata (Williams) : Savage and Guyer, 1989: 108.

Diagnosis.—A medium-sized anole with males reaching maximum SVL of 74.5 mm and females 68 mm. Head with moderately large, smooth or weakly keeled scales; supraocular semicircles usually distinct and separated by 0–2 scales; usually 3–5 small scales above supraciliar series, occasionally 3 rd– 4 th enlarged; 0–4 scales between interparietal and supraorbital semicircles; scales around interparietal small, particularly those immediately posterior to it. Dorsal scales small, smooth or weakly keeled; an enlarged double row is frequently present, specially on males; a low, simple nuchal fold is present in males, that extends along the vertebral region of dorsum; ventrals larger than dorsals, smooth, squarish or roundish. Tibia 0.18–0.22 times SVL; digital expansions well developed and distinct. Males brownish, grayish or yellowish (sometimes with a greenish cast) frequently with a strongly dark reticulated pattern, usually becoming dotted posteriorly; females with a broad light vertebral stripe bordered by darker stripes or with short vertebral dark bands that do not usually extend conspicuously onto the flanks. Dewlap in males: yellow-ochre or orange-yellow with pale or dark scales; in female brownish, yellowish, greenish or grayish with dark spots and pale scales. Present between 1400–2200 m on the western slopes of the Andes from Trujillo, Mérida and Táchira in Venezuela to Norte de Santander, Colombia.

Description. Anole with maximum SVL in males 74.5 mm (MHNLS 9854); maximum total length in males 248 mm (FMNH 3918); maximum SVL in females 68 mm (MHUA 10634); maximum total length in females 201 mm (CVULA 3905). Head 0.27–0.30 (0.28 ± 0.009, n = 30) times SVL, 1.56–2.08 (1.78 ± 0.112, n = 30) times as long as wide, and 0.97–1.30 (1.11 ± 0.081, n = 28) times as wide as high. Snout 0.47–0.59 (0.55 ± 0.025, n = 28) times the head length, moderately long, moderately blunt or rounded and not swollen. Frontal region moderately to distinctly depressed; frontal ridges barely to moderately distinct posteriorly, only barely (rarely moderately) anteriorly; supraorbital ridges from inconspicuous to distinct; occipital ridges from moderately distinct to distinct; parietal region slightly depressed anterior to the occiput, the latter may be slightly swollen; Occipital region somewhat swollen. Intertemporal region slightly protuberant. Neck slightly narrower than head and body. Body and tail slightly compressed, distance between axilla and groin 0.37–0.48 (0.40 ± 0.023, n = 27) times SVL. Limbs well developed, hind limbs 0.60–0.73 (0.69 ± 0.036, n = 22) times SVL, tibia 0.18–0.22 (0.20 ± 0.008, n = 32) times SVL. Tail 1.80–2.53 times SVL.

Rostral wider than high, higher medially with moderately to distinctly indented or occasionally not indented posterior margin; well or just barely visible from above and not projecting forward or only barely so in some males. Postrostrals 4–7, irregularly polygonal and smooth or weakly keeled. Circumnasal completely separated from rostral by one postrostral scale or its antero-inferior portion narrowly in contact with rostral (rarely distinctly). Scales on snout, between nostrils, not or only slightly swollen, slightly or distinctly longer than wide, some slightly narrow, smooth or weakly keeled, and juxtaposed or slightly subimbricate; middorsal scales between nostrils subequal to or larger than those lateral to them; all smaller (rarely subequal) to those posterior to them, where scales are polygonal, flat, smooth or slightly rugose, and juxtaposed; scales on the center of and posterior to the frontal depression smaller. 6–8 scales between circumnasals (five in CVULA 926); 5–9 (occasionally 10) scales across snout at level of second canthal. Canthus rostralis well defined, mostly straight usually curving slightly inward anteriorly. 4-6 enlarged canthals that are keeled (more distinctly so posteriorly), increasing in size posteriorly or not. 2 nd or rarely 3 rd canthal noticeably longer than the rest; or 1 st and 2 nd subequal, or 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd subequal or 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th subequal. 15–24 scales between the rostral and the interparietal scales. Supraorbital semicircles from distinct to barely so, separated by one, occasionally two scales or in contact. Second scale the largest of the supraorbital series (occasionally 3 rd the largest or 2 nd and 3 rd subequal or 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd subequal or 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th subequal or 4 th largest); supraorbital semicircle scales usually narrowing posteriorly; first one separated from the first canthal by one or two scales (in contact with first canthal on the right side of CVULA 1141 and on both sides of MHUA 10634). Supraocular region with a group of large, smooth or weakly keeled (a few may have a small tubercle), juxtaposed, irregularly polygonal and flat scales, larger near the supraocular semicircles, elsewhere with granules or smaller scales (particularly infero-posteriorly); the group of large supraocular scales is completely or almost completely (one or two scales in narrow contact) separated from the supraorbital semicircles by smaller scales. There is a series of 3–5 moderately large, roughly squarish scales bordering the upper margin of the supracilar scale; these scales are more or less subequal in size. Supraciliar series formed by a very long scale that reaches almost the half of the orbit then followed by granules (occasionally a much smaller but still elongate scale may follow or as on ILS 21 and on the right side of MHNLS 1006, the supraciliar is divided, but the scales on all the suporaocular and suborbital region of the right side of this individual are rather abnormal). Interparietal elongated, roughly elliptical, oval, hexagonal or rectangular; 0.04–0.14 (0.10 ± 0.020, n = 25) times the head length, 1.33–2.16 (1.68 ± 0.204, n= 25) times as long as wide and usually larger or almost equal to the earopening in size, occasionally smaller in a few specimens (MHNLS 17870, MCZ 136175, MCZ 141230, ILS 21). Interparietal of EBRG 163 is abnormally large, broadly contacting the supraorbital semicircles and occupying most of the parietal region. Interparietal usually separated from supraorbital semicircles by 1–2 scales (occasionally in contact; in ILS 21 the interparietal is separated by three scales and in MCZ 136175 by four); distinctly larger than the surrounding scales and with a small but visible pineal organ. Parietal region covered with flat or slightly swollen, smooth or slightly rugose, irregularly polygonal, more or less homogeneously or heterogeneously-sized scales, which decrease in size posteriorly; slightly smaller or some subequal to those between nostrils (many scales larger in CVULA 6819 and CVULA 1678) and much smaller than those on anterior frontal region. Scales immediately next to interparietal, smaller than that scale (especially those posterior to it). 8–15 scales around the interparietal (seven in EBRG 163 with an abnormally large interparietal). Occipital and supratemporal region covered by small, juxtaposed scales, slightly larger anteriorly. Loreal scales irregularly polygonal, longer than wide, and in longitudinal rows; all roughly subequal or more commonly first (bordering canthals) and lowest one (bordering supralabials) slightly larger, only two upper and posterior rows distinctly larger in ILS 21; flat or slightly swollen and smooth, only a few with a very weak median keel or rugose; four or five, occasionally six scales in a vertical row at level of second canthal. Suboculars four or five (rarely six), moderate to distinct, roughly subequal or (most commonly) wider than high, large, flat or weakly keeled; 2–4 in contact with supralabials. Eyelids covered with minute granules, with two rows of larger scales bordering the rim. Supralabials 6–8 to below center of eye. Temporal region with small, granular scales, separated from eyelids by a double row of larger scales, and from parietal as well as supratemporal regions by a double intertemporal row of enlarged scales (sometimes somewhat indistinct). Ear-opening small, subtriangular or oval, its lower margin roughly at the same level of the commissure of mouth; with smooth margin and short auditory meatus.

Mental large, roughly crescent-shaped, semicircular or somewhat trapezoidal, distinctly or weakly indented by adjacent scales (especially outer postmentals); semidivided by a (sometimes weak) median cleft, which may or may not continue as a short midventral sulcus; medial line bordered on each side by first infralabial, one sublabial, and one or two, small, median scales. Infralabials 5–7 (usually 6–7) to below the center of the eye. Chin with a row of large, smooth or weakly keeled sublabials, 2–4 in contact with infralabials (five on the left side of CVULA 6846); medially scales distinctly smaller, decreasing in size towards the midventral line and posteriad. Scales on throat slightly larger, especially towards the dewlap. Dewlap in males large, reaching to a point between armpits and midbelly; laterally with longitudinal, well separated rows of single, elongate, laterally flattened and very narrow scales which are larger than those on the sides of the neck; along rim scales larger, mostly smooth, distinctly wider and imbricate; lateral dewlap scales longer but conspicuously narrower than ventrals, those along rim larger or occasionally subequal to ventrals. In females, dewlap small, just or not even reaching the insertion of the arms; laterally with longitudinal, more or less narrowly separated rows of single scales, which are slightly elongate, somewhat swollen, subequal or slightly larger than those on the sides of the neck and smaller than ventrals, the scales along the rim are mostly subequal to those on the dewlap laterally but imbricate, rounder, flat and smaller than ventrals.

Scales on nape small, swollen, subimbricate or juxtaposed. A double middorsal row distinctly enlarged or only slightly indicated on nape or not enlarged at all; when visible, starting on nape and extending posteriorly. A vertebral fold is present in males from occiput to shoulders then continuing as a lower fold along the vertebral region on dorsum, disappearing or narrowing on sacrum and occasionally continuing on the first third of the tail. Dorsals somewhat swollen (those on vertebral region usually flatter), subimbricate, smooth or weakly keeled. A double row of enlarged vertebral scales is usually distinct on dorsum. 63–96 (73.5 ± 8.4, n = 31) dorsal scales in a vertebral line between axilla and groin. Scales on flanks similar, mostly juxtaposed in many individuals with a few granules scattered between them, changing gradually toward ventrals, which are larger, roughly quadrangular or polygonal, juxtaposed, subimbricate or imbricate and smooth. 55–77 (63.5 ± 7.2, n = 25) ventral scales in a midventral line between axilla and groin. 103–147 (127 ± 10.3, n = 24) scales around midbody. Preanal plate with small, juxtaposed to subimbricate, relatively uniform scales. Two very distinct, very large postanal scales are usually present in males (not visible in MHNLS 9854), absent in females.

Base of tail with numerous small, keeled, subimbricate or rarely juxtaposed scales dorsally and laterally; ventrally scales smooth, increasing in size slightly towards midventral line, flat and subimbricate. There is a double middorsal enlarged row becoming slightly larger or not earlier along the tail than the rest of the scales posteriorly. Tail distally with large, polygonal, imbricate scales, in a few longitudinal rows; the pair of ventral, and the adjacent ventrolateral rows larger; all scales with distinct keels, which form longitudinal ridges. Verticils sometimes rather indistinct; when visible each with 5–7 (anteriorly) to 4–6, usually four or five (mid-portion) dorsals and 3–5 (anteriorly) to three or four (mid-portion) ventral scales. Frequently not distinct on proximal third of the tail, if visible also with three or four dorsal and three ventral scales.

Some scales on forelimbs slightly larger or subequal in size to than the vertebral ones, smooth or keeled, imbricate and subimbricate, larger on anterior aspect of forearm, elbow and around wrist; ventral aspect of forelimbs with smooth, smaller scales. Hind limbs with large (smaller than ventrals), weakly keeled, imbricate scales on their anterior aspect, grading to smaller dorsally and almost granular on the posterior aspect of lower legs; ventral aspect of thighs with small and smooth scales, slightly larger on the lower legs, particularly anteriorly and posteriorly. Digital expansions very well developed; 18–24 (20.3 ± 1.3, n = 55, 28 specimens) lamellae under the fourth finger to end of digital expansion; 31–36 (33 ± 1.4, n = 58, 28 specimens) lamellae under fourth toe to end of digital expansion, 18–25 (22.1 ± 1.2, n = 58, 28 specimens) between the II and III phalanges.

Coloration in life.—This species exhibits marked sexual dichromatism. Males: Brownish yellow, yellowtan, buff yellow or greenish gray above, usually only slightly darker or browner along the vertebral region. There are numerous and conspicuous blackish, dark green or dark brown vermiculations and reticulations covering all dorsum and flanks forming an intricate and conspicuous pattern. These markings are usually more prominent anteriorly and fade on sacrum and on base of tail. Some individuals have five (six, if the one on neck is counted) reddish-brown, broad, transversal and slightly oblique bands on the body; the first three bands usually extend well onto the flanks while the last two are frequently much less conspicuous and restricted mostly to the vertebral area. The dark reticulations may merge and can be more conspicuous on the margins and inside these brown areas. Head of the same color as the body, or usually slightly browner, darker. Black reticulations are conspicuous on the postocular, temporal, supratemporal and parietal areas, but usually less so anteriorly, where many individuals show the scales edged in black or dark brown. On the postocular region, the reticulations tend to form longitudinal stripes and some individuals may present a reddish-brown postocular stripe with conspicuous black margins that extend well onto the sides of the neck and frequently merge with the first dorsal band on neck. Eyelids yellow. The upper labials are brownish-white or yellowish anteriorly with inconspicuous dark markings, but from below the eye there is a white or pale yellow stripe or irregular area that continues above the ear opening and fades on the insertion of the neck (where it frequently tilts upwards). A similar stripe, but slightly more oblique in position and broader is present from the paraventral area of the neck to the scapular region. These white areas may be completely immaculate or may present small, black, round spots in dark individuals. On the sides of the neck, right above the white, oblique stripe, there may be a large, reddish-brown blotch, somewhat conspicuous, the margins of which may be distinct by merged, black vermiculations. This spot has numerous black reticulations inside and may present spots of the background color or of a brighter yellow at its center. Other yellow dots are occasionally present on the light stripes above the ear opening and on the lateral surface of the neck.

Limbs brownish-yellow with numerous black or brown vermiculations, some with brownish narrow bands (margined with black) from the elbow down. Legs with only some scattered black dots and some indistinct narrow dark brown or tan crossbars. Digits with dark rings. Tail yellowish brown, brighter yellow on the sides of the base. Scattered black dots are only present on the base of the tail, which also presents reddish brown bands that progressively extend to the side changing to broad, very conspicuous, black rings on the rest of the tail.

Chin and throat white or yellowish, with a few black or dark brown dots on the sides of the jaw or chin. Abdomen and ventral aspect of limbs brownish white, mostly immaculate only with some invasion of the black reticulation and dots present on flanks. The posterior part of the abdomen, anal area, base of the tail and adjacent part of thighs lemon-yellow, brighter posteriorly, immaculate.

Dewlap bright yellow or ochre-yellow, immaculate with white scales; or bright yellow (slightly darker towards the rim) and with dark, blackish scales.

A Juvenile male from La Mucuy presented the following coloration: Head brownish with a greenish tint on the parietal region and numerous but rather inconspicuous dark reticulations. A dark tan postocular band with blackish margins extended from the postero-inferior corner of the eye, through the sides of the neck and met vertebrally at the shoulder region. There was a whitish stripe on supralabials from below the eye to the upper margin of the ear where it faded into the body’s background color. A similar white area was present paraventrally from below the eye ascending to the shoulder region. Between these two white areas there was an oblique, oval dark tan spot as that described in the adults. Body yellowish green more conspicuous on the flanks and posteriorly (the specimen lost most of the green coloration, except on tail and lower hindlimbs, after being handled for photographs). The body showed less reticulation than the adults and this was mostly concentrated on the margins of the three dark tan crossbars on dorsum. Two more indistinct crossbars were also present on the posterior dorsum and sacrum. On the insipid dorsal fold, it presented a white spot on the posterior and (less distinctly) anterior vertebral margins of the dorsal crossbars. The forelimbs where mostly yellowish brown with a greenish cast, dark reticulations and ill-defined crossbars. Hindlimbs distinctly greener and with dark tan, better-defined crossbars. Tail green anteriorly becoming gray-brown posteriorly with dark brown rings that become wider towards its tip. Chin whitish with some indistinct brown infuscation. Throat greenish yellow. Venter whitish with some lateral invasion of the dorsal pattern. Ventral aspect of limbs similar. Tail whitish on its base becoming the same as the dorsal aspect on its second third. Dewlap uniformly orange-yellow with greenish-yellow scales. According to J. V. Rueda’s field notes, juvenile male MUJ 843 showed a very similar coloration.

Females: Very different in coloration from males and with two distinct morphs. The striped morph: Light pea-green, pale mossy-green or gray-green to gray-brown or gray above, lighter and greener anteriorly. There is a distinct pale whitish or gray (sometimes profusely speckled with darker dots), vertebral stripe from occiput or nape to the dorsal aspect of the tail. This stripe usually remains the same width along the body or is somewhat wider on the sacral region and narrower on nape. The overall width of the stripe varies among the individuals, in some specimens it is quite narrow, whereas in others, it occupies most of the vertebral area. A dark brown longitudinal stripe margins the vertebral light stripe at each side from the dorsal aspect of the neck to the first third of the tail (where it fades or breaks into spots). The stripes may be of the same width along the body or may become slightly wider posteriorly and they may also be less distinct on the posterior dorsum. Rest of the dorsum almost uniformly colored with just some scattered light and blackish or dark brown dots or specs more apparent anteriorly, or with profuse grayish or dark speckling producing a rather lichenose appearance. A few, brownish and rather inconspicuous smudges may be present along the flanks. Head as body usually darker, greener or more brownish on top with numerous but inconspicuous dark flecks or spots. A dark brown, postocular band formed by reticulations (rarely more solid) extends from the posterior corner of the eye extending to the nape and merging with the dark margins of the vertebral stripe. Eyelids whitish. Labials lighter, whitish, especially posteriorly, that color extends as an inconspicuous light stripe above the ear opening and the anterior part of the sides of the neck where it fades. A series of blackish or dark brown dots form a short, longitudinal and slightly oblique stripe from posterior corner of the ear opening to the scapular region. Another whitish stripe (sometimes barely visible) extends under the dark stripe on the sides of the neck above the insertion of the arm.

Limbs of the same color as the body with an inconspicuous, brownish reticulation and some whitish dots. These reticulations form very inconspicuous or distinct dark brown or blackish cross bars which are more distinct on lower arms while on legs only a few crossbars may be apparent, usually on thighs where they are more distinct. A dark brown longitudinal stripe is usually present on the posterior aspect of thighs. Digits with dark rings. Tail continuing the dorsal coloring anteriorly becoming darker posteriorly or with a few, inconspicuous dark rings posteriorly (very indistinct). One juvenile female from La Mucuy showed a striped pattern exactly as the one present on adults.

Banded pattern: With the same background color as the previous morph. The vertebral region is light gray or pale brown, occasionally speckled with dark dots and flecks; extending from the dorsal aspect of the neck to the sacral area (where it becomes wider) and the dorsal aspect of the tail, towards the tip. Six pairs of subtriangular, blackish spots (with apex directed vertebrally) are present on neck, dorsum and sacrum. These “butterfly-wing” markings extend only on dorsum, fading on flanks or continuing as irregular and inconspicuous and narrower transversal bands; the gray vertebral color extends as margins on dorsum bordering the “butterfly-wing” spots. In the female MHNLS 17870 from La Macana, these markings were reduced to blackish vertebral spots that interrupted the vertebral light stripe. In this specimen, dark areas (only slightly darker than the ground color) extended laterally onto the flanks from these vertebral dark spots. The flanks showed numerous blackish and a few whitish dots, the latter disposed as vertical bands. Head browner or darker than the body or with a suffusion of brown and green, especially the top, with few or numerous dark speckling and an inconspicuous parietal band formed by dark reticulations that extend from the supero-posterior corner of each-eye to the interparietal, where they meet (not distinct in some specimens). A postocular stripe like the one on the striped morph is also present. Anteriorly the labials may have dark spots and lines that radiate from the anterior corners of the eye. Coloration on the sides of the neck as on the striped morph. Limbs also as in the striped morph but dark brown or blackish crossbars on legs more conspicuous. Tail continuing the dorsal pattern or in some specimens, the gray dorsal color becomes background color; on the base, bands as on dorsum, changing to wider dark rings towards the tip. Chin and throat greenish white or whitish, frequently with dark gray dots. Chest and abdomen whitish, occasionally with some invasion of the lateral coloration. Dewlap on both morphs yellow to dull and pale grayish or olivaceous-yellow with blackish or dark brown spots and pale whitish or greenish scales.

Coloration in preservative.—As with animals observed in life, the preserved material exhibits conspicuous sexual dichromatism. Males: Very light gray to bluish-gray above, some specimens turning tan on the vertebral region or with some tan or yellowish tints on different portions of the dorsum. There are numerous dark gray or black vermiculations and reticulations on all dorsal surfaces. These reticulations are more conspicuous anteriorly on the dorsum and neck as well as on flanks in some well-preserved individuals (some specimens have some of these reticulations connected forming a conspicuous pattern); in some specimens these vermiculations become smaller and less distinct towards the flanks and sacral region, where they may look more like dark dots. In others the vermiculations connect, forming round ocelli (center of the background color). The flanks in some individuals may be dark tan, in others bluish. The head is slightly browner or greener than the body with some very indistinct (except on nape), irregular, darker spots or vermiculations on the top. The labials are lighter or whitish, in some particularly posteriorly. A very inconspicuous, slightly darker area may be present below the eye. On the postocular region there is a dark postocular stripe formed by reticulations that extend well onto the sides of the neck, where it merges with the numerous dorsal markings. In some specimens this stripe can be dark tan with dark gray, sinuous and vermiculated margins. On posterior labials there is a pale (whitish) irregular area that continues above the ear-opening and fades on the insertion of the neck or almost above the scapular area. A similar but somewhat slightly oblique in position and broader is present from the paraventral area of the neck to the scapular region. These pale areas have very few, indistinct, diffuse dark dots. A yellowish patch may be present on the sides of the neck. Limbs pale gray, or bluish gray, as the body with a few, indistinct dark dots that in some parts (e.g. thighs, lower legs, or arms in some specimens) group to form crossbars. In some specimens the articulations as well as hands and feet may be darker; in other legs background color may be tan. Digits slightly browner than the limbs with indistinct brownish or blackish rings. Tail pale gray, or blue-gray, as the body anteriorly with a few indistinct dark dots. The tail becomes pale buff or gray-brown posteriorly and tan, dark tan or dark brown, wide rings may become apparent, some specimens have them quite inconspicuous. All ventral surfaces pale buffy-white or grayish-white, immaculate. Some specimens have abdomen and chest with a bluish tint. A few dark dots may be present on the chin and/ or sides of the neck. Ventral aspect of digits, brownish. Tail posteriorly becoming brownish or only slightly darker. Dewlap pale buff or whitish, immaculate with whitish or dark brown scales.

Females: As noted in specimens in life, two color morphs are clearly visible in preserved females. Striped morph: Head and body dark tan, dark brown or greenish gray; head of the same color of the body or occasionally darker particularly on top of the snout and frontal region. Eyelids slightly lighter than the sides of the head or of the same color. Occipital, nuchal and supratemporal regions immaculate or with minute, black dots that are disposed irregularly or brownish without distinct spots. A pale, somewhat horizontally or obliquely oval spot is present between commisure of the mouth and ear-opening in some specimens, extending inconspicuously slightly beyond, on the sides of the neck in EBRG 163. Body with a distinct, more or less broad, pale vertebral stripe that extends from occipital region to the dorsal surface of the tail, where it becomes indistinct about midway towards the tip. This stripe remains the same width throughout its length or may widen slightly on the sacral region (varying between 5–12 scales wide). A few black dots may invade this stripe in some specimens, particularly on the neck and right posterior to the shoulder region, or it may become grayish in the middle on the dorsum and on the sacral region. More or less inconspicuous dark borders margin the vertebral pale stripe; these are slightly more apparent on the sacral region. In some specimens, these margins are reduced to thin lines that margin the vertebral light stripe. Small, dark dots are disposed irregularly along the dorsum and flanks (more evident in the later); these are absent or very inconspicuous in some specimens. Some individuals show an oblique, narrow, non-spotted and inconspicuous area extending from near the posterior margin of the ear-opening to the neck. EBRG 163 has an inconspicuous small, blackish, elongate spot on the sides of the neck). General coloration of CVULA 1678 very pale (greenish gray) and mostly immaculate just with a tenuous vertebral light stripe and very inconspicuous, narrow brownish lines bordering it; also in this individual a few dark dots form a postocular stripe that extends towards the dorsolateral dark areas and a few other dark dots are concentrated on the sides of the neck. Forelimbs with some small dark dots not usually forming bars, or if they do, these are most visible towards wrist. Hindlimbs with a few dark dots, very inconspicuous and not forming a definite pattern or very tenuous crossbars apparent on lower legs. Digits with indistinct, blackish rings and dots. Tail continuing the dorsal coloration but with no lateral blackish dots; with some individuals exhibiting brownish rings towards the mid and posterior third. Chin light buff, brownish or whitish immaculate or with a few brownish dots or areas along infralabials and more evident posteriorly on the throat. Dewlap uniformly tan with small blackish spots (mostly concentrated anteriorly) and whitish scales in CVULA 896; brownish with small and inconspicuous dark dots and paler brownish scales in CVULA 5361 and CVULA 6833; dark tan with only a few, very inconspicuous dark dots and pale scales in CVULA 1678; dark tan with light buff scales in EBRG 163; uniformly dark brown and brownish (paler) scales in CVULA 6850. Chest and venter immaculate whitish or buff-colored; in CVULA 6850 brownish, darker than abdomen. Ventral aspects of limbs and base of the tail pale buff, immaculate; tail of the same color or changing to slightly darker posteriad.

Banded morph: Dark sooty brown or greenish gray above with a slightly paler (brownish) vertebral stripe extending from the nape to the sacral region and tail, where it becomes wider. Six pairs of dark brown or tan, oblique bands are present on the body and almost interrupt completely the vertebral stripe except for its middorsal portion, which separate the pair of bands. These markings are more distinct dorsolaterally but extend well onto the flanks. Also, these bands have a rather indistinct, blackish posterior margin and some also have short, narrow pale margins only apparent dorsally and dorsolaterally. Numerous but almost imperceptible, dark irregular spots are present on flanks and invade the vertebral area. Head uniformly dark sooty brown with a slight greenish tint. Sides of the head grayish, slightly lighter on labials and on temporal region. A dark brown, narrow postocular stripe is present from the posterior corner of the eye to above the ear-opening (not touching it). Labials variegated with darker tones. Limbs dark sooty brown with indistinct, darker crossbars. Digits lighter with indistinct dark rings. Tail brownish with distinct black-brown rings that fade before reaching the tip of the tail. Ventral aspect of head and body pale gray with a slight greenish-yellowish tint and moderately distinct, dark vermiculations or reticulations; more prominent on chin, throat and anterior part of abdomen. Ventral aspect of limbs similar but vermiculations much more indistinct. Tail ventrally as dorsally, with distinct dark rings, lighter on the base becoming darker posteriad. Dewlap dark with blackish spots that cover most of its surface (except most of its posterior base), making it overall uniformly blackish with pale, whitish-gray scales.

Habitat and natural history.— Anolis jacare is a high altitude species found in Andean montane wet forests, forest edges and occasionally along human habitation between 1400 and 2200 m. (La Marca, 1985; this work). We found the species associated with forest composed of trees like: Quercus sp , Vismia vascifera , Urticaceae, Callicolpus caudatum and Miconia dodecandra . Williams et al. (1970) reported specimens collected on medium and large trees (e.g., Heliocarpus popayanensis , Inga sp. and Montanea quadrangularis ). These authors also noted that one of the two localities where lizards were collected had a partially open canopy (allowing some sunlight penetration) whereas the other had a canopy that was closed. Our observations agree with those of Williams et al.(Op. cit.), as many of the specimens of A. jacare we observed were not restricted to shaded habitat, but were frequently in areas with filtered sunlight. Most of the specimens were found horizontally on tree branches, once again agreeing with Williams et al. (1970), who found A. jacare primarily associated with the branches and canopy of trees. These authors observed this anole on trunks on only two occasions. Nevertheless, at Monte Zerpa, Venezuela, several specimens were frequently seen active and displaying on vertical tree trunks (W. Schargel pers. comm.) and in other localities, the species has also been observed perched head up and vertically on thin tree trunks (C. L. Barrio-Amoros, pers. comm.). A few individuals have also been observed clinging on unfinished walls of houses and buildings in the small towns around the city of Mérida (C. L. Barrio-Amorós, pers. comm.). Koller and Wijffels (1999) found one individual of this species basking on a rock at 12:30 h at a temperature of 25° C near the city of Mérida (200 m above the city). Field notes indicate that MUJ 843 was collected at night while it was sleeping on a Heliconia leaf. 1.5 m. aboveground.

All of the specimens observed moved rather deliberately and were less agile than other anoles of similar size. We found that Anolis jacare either escaped towards the canopy or remained motionless when threatened; these two escape behaviors were also noted by Williams et al. (1970). Individuals were almost never seen actively foraging on the floor except for the female MHNLS 17870, which was collected while crossing an infrequently transited trail. Williams et al. (1970) considered that although the species is not particularly shy, when approached by a nylon noose (used to catch the lizards), individuals either moved around the branches, moved further along the branch, or moved out to the finer, easily breakable twigs. Koller and Wijffels (1999) reported the individual they found moved slowly, and was easily picked up. According to these authors, even after returning the lizard to the rock where it was first encountered, it did not flee but walked away quietly to vanish in the bushes. In Venezuela the only other anole so far known to live in sympatry with A. jacare is A. nicefori . Both species have been collected in Betania, Táchira. However, for neither species is there enough ecological information to understand how they divide the habitat. In the area of Estoraques, Norte de Santander, Colombia, A. jacare is sympatric with a smaller undescribed anole species, apparently closely related to A. euskalerriari (Ugueto, G., pers. obs.). In several localities of Mérida, Polychrus sp. and Basiliscus basiliscus are frequently found in syntopy with A. jacare .

No data on prey or reproductive habits is available. Anolis jacare , although not rare, could be considered local. Nevertheless, in some sites it is probably one of the most abundant lizards. Its cryptic coloration and inconspicuous habits could make this species appear less common than what it truly is. Williams et al. (1970) mentioned the first specimen they examined was collected on a 6 m high Inga sp. tree that was inspected and proved unfruitful several times. However, closer examination of the same tree revealed the presence of three more individuals (making a total of two males and two females). The fifth author has also found several individuals (including males, females and juveniles) in a single, thin-branched tree. Small groups of anoles with individuals of both sexes occupying the same tree are also known for another Venezuelan species, A. tigrinus (Ugueto et al., in preparation).

Distribution and Material Examined.— Anolis jacare has been found mostly from the western slopes of the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuela and the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia; from central Trujillo, along Mérida, including the Rio Chama Valley to Táchira in Venezuela and Norte de Santander in Colombia. In Táchira, the species appears to invade the eastern piedmont of the Venezuelan Andes in the locality of Doradas. Viloria and Calchi (1993) listed “ A. nigropunctatus ” in a list of the reptiles present in Sierra de Perijá, Zulia. We were unable to locate any specimens from that locality, thus its presence on Sierra de Perijá remains unclear. Apart from the examined material listed below, we have confirmed observations from: MÉRIDA: La Mara (A. Díaz, pers. comm. to C.L. Barrio-Amorós), Mérida; Road between Mérida and El Morro (C.L. Barrio-Amorós, pers. comm.). TÁCHIRA: Páramo La Negra, between Sabana Grande and La Grita (S. Castroviejo, pers. comm. To G. Rivas).

VENEZUELA: MÉRIDA: Río Chama , FMNH 3918-19 About FMNH ; Mérida, BMNH 1946.8.12.80-84 (syntypes), MHNLS 9853-54 View Materials , MCZ 8079 About MCZ , 20639 About MCZ ; Monte Zerpa, MHNLS 17986-17987 View Materials , CVULA 1678 View Materials , 5361 View Materials , 6819 View Materials , 6825 View Materials , 6833 View Materials , 6846 View Materials , 6850 View Materials ; La Mucuy, MHNLS 17982 View Materials ; Creek outside Mérida on road to Los Chorros de Milla , MCZ 112097 About MCZ ; 3 Km N of Mérida City , MBLUZ 353 ; Los Chorros de Milla CVULA 1510-11 View Materials ; La Pedregosa, CVULA 1141 View Materials ; San Jacinto, CVULA 0926 View Materials ; Parque La Isla, Mérida , CVULA 4746 View Materials ; La Macana, MHNLS 17870 View Materials . TÁCHIRA: Entre Delicias y Villa Paez , EBRG 163 View Materials ; Betania, CVULA 896 View Materials ; Doradas, CVULA 3905 View Materials .

TRUJILLO: Quebrada Honda , MCZ 136175 About MCZ (paratype of Anolis nigropunctatus ) .

COLOMBIA: NORTE DE SANTANDER: El Diamante, ILS 21 (holotype of Anolis nigropunctatus ); Toledo, MCZ 141230 (formerly ILS 20, paratype of Anolis nigropunctatus ); Municipio Playa de Belén, Area Natural Unica Los Estoraques, Vereda Piritama, Predio Piritama, Cerro Piritama, MUJ 843; Municipio Cucutilla, Sisavita, vereda Carrizal 1950 m., MHUA 16032-34.

MCZ

Museum of Comparative Zoology

MUJ

Museo Javeriano de Historia Natural, Laboratoriao de Entomologia

MHUA

Museo de Herpetologia de la Universidad de Antioquia

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Dactyloidae

Genus

Anolis

Loc

Anolis jacare Boulenger, 1903

Ugueto, Gabriel N., Barros, Gilson Rivas Fuenmayor Tito, Sánchez- Pacheco, Santiago J. & García-Pérez, Juan E. 2007
2007
Loc

Dactyloa jacare (Boulenger)

Savage, J. M. & Guyer, C. 1989: 108
1989
Loc

Dactyloa nigropunctata (Williams)

Savage, J. M. & Guyer, C. 1989: 108
1989
Loc

Anolis nigropunctatus: Williams, 1974: 2

Williams, E. E. 1982: 28
Williams, E. E. 1974: 2
1974
Loc

Anolis jacare: Boulenger, 1903: 482

Williams, E. E. 1982: 29
Peters, J. & Donoso-Barros, R. 1970: 56
Boulenger, G. A. 1903: 482
1903
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