Cuiver’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus

 Paleosuchus palpebrosus. Wikepedia

The Dwarf Caiman has males that are slightly larger than females (1.3-1.5 m); females reach about 1.2 m. They are distributed in northern and central South America from Trinidad southward to Paraguay. The Dwarf Caiman tends to use fast-moving streams in forested habitats that are cooler than stream in more open habitat,. The streams may be shared with the Spectacled Caiman. The Dwarf caiman is more terrestrial than the Spectacled Caiman, and can be observed sitting on the shoreline and using burrows. Dwarf Caimans are nocturnal hunters. Juveniles feed on insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish frogs and their tadpoles. Adults have a similar diet but include small mammals. Their gizzard contains gastroliths (small stones) which mechanically break down the food into smaller pieces. On the mainland nesting occurs at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season in areas with warm climates. Clutches of 10-25 eggs are deposited in a nest made of soil, leaves, small branches, and other vegetation; and  constructed by both parents. The nest is usually small in diameter and height. Incubation is about 90 days. Parental care is minimal or absent until the nest is opened by the female when the young start to vocalize. After hatching the young stay under the nesting material for several days. Sexual maturity is reached at 1.1 meters in males and about one meter in females. These sizes are reached at about 10 years of age. Dwarf Caimans are social, and while they are sometimes solitary they may be found in pairs or small groups. Like other crocodilians, they communicate with sound, posture, movement, chemicals, and contact. Dominance hierarchies form within groups. Dominant individuals have access to mates, nest sites, food, and living space. Dominance is maintained by social signals and displays. Predators of these small crocodilians include cats, raptors, wading birds, snakes, and large fish. Conservation Status. The IUCN considers it a species of Least Concern, while CITES has listed it on Appendix II. This species was only recently discovered in south-central Trinidad.

Ali SH, Rampersad-Ali N, Murphy JC. 2016. The discovery of Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Reptilia: Alligatoridae) in Trinidad. Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. 2016 Nov 30.

Johnstone's Rain Frog, Eleutherodactylus johnstonei (Family Craugastoridae)

Eleutherodactylus johnstonei Barbour, 1914:249. Type locality: “St. George Parish, Grenada.” Syntypes: MCZ 2759.

Eleutherodactylus martinicensis ― Kenny, 1979b:27

Males 17-25 mm, females, 17-35 mm. Dorsum brown or gray brown with one or two darker chevrons; a narrow middorsal stripe or a pair of broad dorsal stripes may be present;skin smooth to slightly tuberculate; distinct tympanum; small, rounded finger and toe disks; digits lack webbing. Native to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; introduced into Aruba, Bermuda, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad, Venezuela. Males usually call from low vegetation in disturbed habitat, it seems to avoid forests and undisturbed environments. Reproduces throughout the year with most activity during the wet season. Clutches 10-30 unpigmented eggs covered in a thin layer of viscous mucus which undergo direct development; froglets have body lengths of about 4 mm. It takes about a year for the frog to reach sexual maturity. In the 1980's this frog was restricted to Port of Spain, it has now spread east along the Eastern Main Road to St. Augustine, and can be heard at Piarco Airport. It has now reached Tobago.

Trinidad & Tobago Polychrus distinct from the Guyana-Amazonian species

Audubon's Multicolored Lizard, Polychrus audubonii (Hallowell, 1845)

For the past century the Trinidad and Tobago herpetofauna has been considered to composed of mostly widespread Amazonian and Guianan species. In fact this is not correct and the evidence is mounting that the T&T herpetofauna is composed of more endemics and  near endemics that the islands share with the Venezuelan coastal ranges.

The most recent evidence is a paper by Murphy et al. (2017) that demonstrates the widespread multicolored lizard Polychrus marmoratus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a species complex. The Trinidad and Tobago populations and in the Venezuelan Coastal Range populations are distinct from the Guyana endemic Polychrus marmoratus. The new species actually has an old name.

Edward Hallowell (1845) described Leiolepis auduboni based on a specimen collected by Samuel Ashmead at a location within 200 miles of Caracas, Venezuela. Hallowell’s specimen was identified as Polychrus marmoratus by Roze (1958) and placed in the synonymy of the Linnean species. However its status as a junior synonym of Polychrus marmoratus has been overlooked in more recent works.

Polychrus auduboni  is distinct from P. marmoratus, in having the loreal usually fragmented into two scales (usually three or more in marmoratus); nasal does not usually contact first upper labial (in marmoratus is usually does not contact the first upper labial); total femoral pores 17–28 (8-19 in marmoratus); multicarinate scales in paravertebral rows few or none (many in marmoratus); paravertebrals much larger than laterals (about the same size in marmoratus). The two species are also genetically different.

The authors also suggest there is at least one undescribed species in Para, Brazil and that the names   Polychrus virescens Schniz and Polychrus neovidanus Wagler are valid names for species currently not recognized in Brazil's Atlantic Forest.


Citation
Murphy JC, Lehtinen RM, Charles SP, Wasserman D, Anton T, Brennan PJ. 2017. Cryptic multicolored lizards in the Polychrus marmoratus Group (Squamata: Sauria: Polychrotidae) and the status of Leiolepis auduboni Hallowell. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 11(1): 1–16 (e132).

Environmental DNA Detection of the Golden Tree Frog

The Bromeliad-dwelling Treefrog or the Golden Tree Frog, Phytotriades auratus was long thought to be restricted to two of Trinidad's sky islands. However, in 2015 Rivas and Freitas found it in Eastern Venezuela's Paria Peninsula. Now, an investigation has located another sky island locality in Trinidad - Chaguaramal. Torresdal et al. (2016) used environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect the presence of the frog in its bromeliad microhabitat. Phytotriades are known to use the water tanks of the bromeliad Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora. This is a huge strap-shaped leaf plant that is epiphytic and often three meters or more above the ground. Previous studies of the frog required ripping the plants apart to find the frog; now a water sample can be take from the plant and tested for the frog's DNA. The researchers tested 29 bromeliads, 23 of these tested positive for the presence of P. auratus. Additionally, two P. auratus were observed and in two of the plants tested, the Dwarf Marsupial Frog, Flectonotus fitzgeraldi, was also observed. The test distinguishes between species of frogs. The eDNA test will provide used data without destroying the microhabitat of this species, and allow conservation efforts to monitor the species distribution.


Citations

Rivas GA, De Freitas M. Discovery of the critically endangered golden tree frog, Phytotriades auratus (Boulenger, 1917), in Eastern Venezuela, with comments on its distribution, conservation, and biogeography. Herpetological Review. 2015; 46:153–157.

Torresdal JD, Farrell AD, Goldberg CS (2017) Environmental DNA Detection of the Golden Tree Frog (Phytotriades auratus) in Bromeliads. PLoS ONE 12(1): e0168787. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168787

Turnip-tailed Gecko, Thecadactylus rapicauda (Houttuyn, 1782)

Thecadactylus rapicauda (Houttuyn, 1782)
Gekko Rapicauda Houttuyn 1782: 323 Stellio perfoliatus Schneider 1792: 26           (substitute name for G. rapicauda) Gekko laevis Daudin 1802: 112 Gekko surinamensis Daudin 1802: 126 Platydactylus theconyx Duméril & Bibron 1836: 306 Pachydactylus tristis Hallowell 1854: 98 Thecadactylus rapicaudus — Boulenger 1885: 111 Pachydactylus tristis — Boulenger 1885: 200 Thecadactylus rapicaudus - Goeldi 1902: 511 Thecadactylus rapicauda - Miranda-Ribeiro 1955
Taxonomic notes. There are three species currently recognized in the genus Thecadactylus. Thecadactylus rapicauda is widespread - and it seems likely it is composed of multiple species. Type locality: "American Islands"; restricted to Chichén Itzâ, Yucatán, México, by Smith and Taylor, 1950, and to Paramaribo, Suriname, by Hoogmoed, 1973.
Distribution: The Turip-Tailed Gecko is known from the following localities: Mexico (Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo), Belize, Guatemala,  Honduras (including Islas de la Bahia and Utila), Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, Tobago, Antilles, Leeward Islands (Los Testi, Bonaire, Curacao), Aruba, Antigua, Barbuda, Colombia (Valle del Cauca, Chocó), Ecuador, French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela (including Cojedes), Isla Margarita, Brazil (Amapa, Para, Amazonas, Roraima, Rondônia, Acre). Localities for Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad: Spring Hill, [Simla, Arima Valley]; Aripo Ward, Aripo Hgts off Aripo Rd, ca 3 mi N Eastern Main Rd; Paramount Hotel, San Fernando: Aripo Valley; Diego Martin; ICTA campus, St Augustine; Matura - Toco Road, vicinity of milestone 21-3/4; Petite Tacaribe, near, W of Base Camp, E of Murphy's Cove; Curepe; Chacachacare Island, N side of Chacachacare Bay.  Tobago: hills above Man-of-War Bay, 2 km ENE of Charlotteville; Speyside, Manta Lodge; Scarborough; Pigeon Point Beach; Charles Turpin Estate; WSW of, Hermitage; Speyside, Bird of Paradise Inn; Charlotteville, 0.5 mi N and 0.75 mi E of, near lighthouse on peak above town; Merchiston, Jane Boyle property; Hillsborough Dam;  Crown Point Airport; Crown Point Airport, near, vicinity of Robinson Crusoe's Cave; Scarborough, E of, off Windward Road, Milepost 3.75; 0.5 km downstream from King's Bay Waterfall, King's Bay River; Tobago, W.I.  St. Giles Island.
Size:  Hatchlings have an SVL of about 35 mm, adults can reach an SVL of about 130 mm.
Habitat: In mainland South America this gecko is primarily a canopy and tree-trunk dweller, but it will colonize buildings. It is most often seen around buildings because it is more visible than when it is on tree trunks or in the canopy. In the eastern Amazon Vitt and Zani (1997). Found Thecadactylus in primary and secondary forest, but was mostly found in clearings in the western Amazon. Most individuals in the eastern Amazon were on trees while most of the individuals in the western sites were on human-made structures.
Biology: Vitt and Zani (1997) found most activity was recorded during early evening although a couple of individuals were observed active during the day. Both day active individuals were found on the shady side of tree trunks in the late afternoon. Inactive individuals were found under the bark of trees, in crevices in trees, or in bromeliads in the canopy. One individual disturbed from a bromeliad in the canopy approximately 30 m above ground jumped into the air, spread its legs, and parachuted about halfway to the ground. Two of its outstretched feet caught a large leaf on the way down, adhered to the leaf, and the gecko climbed on to the limb and disappeared within the tree. Body temperatures of T. rapicauda varied from 24.8-28.6 C in the east and from 24.2-28.0 C (x = 26.4) in the west. Body temperatures were significantly correlated with substrate temperatures and air temperatures on the residuals of the body temperatures versus substrate temperature regression, there was no difference between eastern and western populations in body temperatures independent of substrate temperature. Mean body temperatures for all lizards combined was 26.9 C (range 24.2-28.6). Mean substrate and air temperatures for all lizards combined were 26.0 C (range 23.0- 28.4) and 25.8 C (range 23.1-28.4). An air or substrate temperature of 23 C appears necessary to initiate activity in T. rapicauda. Juveniles and adults of Thecadactylus rapicauda are cryptically colored), matching the coloration of bark on the trunks of large trees. Tails of juveniles are black and white banded) at the tip.  When juveniles raise their tails off the substrate when disturbed and the tail is waved back and forth.  Adults show a similar behavior but their tail tips are low in contrast. Tails of juveniles and adults that have not lost their tails are nearly cylindrical in cross section and taper from the base to the tip. Individuals of Thecadactylus appear to lose their tails near the tail base. Regenerated tails of adults are bulbous at the base (proximal) with their greatest diameter just posterior to the point of autotomy. Adults shed tails easily, often after pressing the tail against the hand of the collector. If the tail is a bulbous shaped regenerated tail, the entire regenerated portion of the tail is shed. Presumably most tails are lost during encounters with predators. However, tails appear to be lost during intense social encounters as well, two large males aggressively interacting apparently dropped its tail without any biting by the other male. I (JCM) have also seen males drop their tails when stressed during photographing.  Of 64 individuals examined, only 22 (34.4%) had not lost their tails at some point during their lives. Regenerated tails occurred on 64.6% of individuals. Individuals examined by Vitt and Zani (1997) varied from 41-126 mm SVL and weighed 1.3-40.3 g. Sexually mature males varied from 95-125 mm SVL and weighed 15.8-33.4 g. Females varied from 93-126 mm SVL and weighed 17.2-40.3 g. Adult lizards were larger in the western Amazon than the east. Adult females were larger in SVL than males and overall, females appear to reach sexual maturity at a slightly larger size (about 90 mm) than males. Thecadactylus from the eastern Amazon ate 19 different prey categories including a variety of orthopterans, beetles, and spiders. Two individuals had eaten their own shed skins. Thecadactylus from the western Amazon used only seven prey categories, and the diet consisted primarily of roaches. Mean prey size was considerably greater for western than for eastern Amazonian Thecadactylus and western Amazonian lizards ate a greater size range of prey based on individual prey volumes. With all data pooled (east and west Amazon), there was a significant relationship between mean prey volume/lizard and lizard SVL with lizard SVL explaining 26.5% of the variation in mean prey volume. There was also a significant relationship between lizard body size and the number of prey eaten, but lizard size only accounted for 7.2% of the variation in prey number. Lizards in the western Amazon ate larger prey independent of lizard body size.
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The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, Between Two Seas. University of Chicago Press, 934 pp. [review in Copeia 2003 (1): 205] Schmidt, K. E, & INGER, R. F. 1951. Amphibians and reptiles of the Hopkins-Branner expedition to Brazil. Fieldiana: Zoology 31: 439-465. Schneider,J.G. 1797. Amphibiorum Physiologiae Specimen Alterum Historiam et Species Generis Stellionum seu Geckonum Sistens. Frankfurt (Oder), C. L. F. Aitzi (2): 30. Schwartz, A. & Henderson, R.W. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, 720 pp. Schwartz, A. and Henderson, R.W. 1985. A guide to the identification of the amphibians and reptiles of the West Indies exclusive of Hispaniola. Milwaukee Public Mus., 165 pp. Silva, F.M.; A.C. Menks; A.L.C. Prudente; J.C.L. Costa; A.E.M. Travassos; U. Galatti. 2011. Squamate Reptiles from the municipality of Barcarena and surroundings, state of Pará, north of Brazil. Check List 7 (3): 220-226 Smith,H.M. & Taylor,E.H. 1950. An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Mexico exclusive of the snakes. Bull. US Natl. Mus. 199: 1-253. Stuart, L. C. 1948. The amphibians and reptiles of Alta Verapaz Guatamala. Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan 69: 1-109. Sunyer, Javier 2014. An updated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Nicaragua. Mesoamerican Herpetology 1 (2): 186–202. Taylor, E. H. 1956. A review of the lizards of Costa Rica. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 38 (part 1): 3-322. Terán-Juárez, Sergio A., Teresa Alfaro-Reyna, Raúl G. Cámara-Castillo and Miguel A. Tun-Xix. 2014. Geographic Distribution: Thecadactylus rapicauda (turniptail gecko). Herpetological Review 45 (2): 284 Thomas, R, Joglar R. 1996. The herpetology of Puerto Rico: Past, present, and future. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 776: 181-200 Ugueto, G.N.; P. Velozo; L.E. Sanchez; L.A.B. Villapol; O. Lasso-Alcalá; T.R. Barros; G.A. Rivas. 2013. Noteworthy new records of squamate reptiles (Reptilia: Squamata) from various Venezuelan Caribbean islands, including a new addition to the herpetofauna of Venezuela. Check List 9 (5): 1075-1080. Valencia-Zuleta A, Jaramillo-Martínez AF, Echeverry-Bocanegra A, Viáfara-Vega R, Hernández-Córdoba O, Cardona-Botero VE, Gutiérrez-Zúñiga J, Castro-Herrera F. 2014. Conservation status of the herpetofauna, protected areas, and current problems in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 8 (2): 1–18 (e87).   Vitt, L.; Magnusson, W.E.; Ávila-Pires, T.C. & Lima, A.P. 2008. Guide to the Lizards of Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Central Amazonia. Attema, Manaus, 180 pp. Vitt, Laurie J.; Zani, Peter A. 1997. Ecology of the nocturnal lizard Thecadactylus rapicauda (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Amazon region. Herpetologica 53 (2): 165-179.

Twig Anole, Anolis tigrinus

A Tobago Anolis tigrinus

The Tobago Anolis tigrinus Peters, 1863 is a small anole that belongs to the ecomorph group referred to as twig anoles.  The following description is based on Ugueto et al. (2009) On mainland Venezuela females may reach 58 mm and males 55 mm in body length. Head elongate with large, tuberculate scales;  the supraoculars are also large and the supraorbital semicircles are usually in contact, but may be separated by one scale; interparietal and supraorbital semicircles are usually in contact, rarely separated by one scale; a  distinct occipital knob is present. Dorsal scales are small and smooth; 63–97 scales along the middorsal line from axilla to groin; 94–114 scales around midbody; ventrals slightly larger than dorsals, roundish and completely smooth; 57–84 scales along the midventral line between axilla and groin. Dorsal coloration has a lichen-like appearance, changing from brown to mossy green during metachrosis; dark vertebral, rectangular spots, lateral light round, large spots and/or oblique lateral blackish lines are usually present. Dewlap in males large extending close to mid-venter with more or less horizontal rows of single scales; pale whitish anteriorly, pale yellow medially and orange postero-inferiorly with pale scales; females with a smaller dewlap, just reaching between the insertion of arms and  lightly beyond the axilla; with moderately separated, horizontal rows of single scales; pale orangish or grayish with conspicuous (usually horizontally elongated) black spots and pale scales.

Anolis tigrinus appears to be a central Venezuelan Coastal Range-Tobago endemic. However, we also have photographic evidence that A. tigrinus is present on Trinidad. Also see this blog post for more on its discovery on Tobago.

Ugueto GN, Rivas G, Barros T, Smith EN. A revision of the Venezuelan anoles II: redescription of Anolis squamulatus Peters 1863 and Anolis tigrinus Peters 1863 (Reptilia: Polychrotidae). 2009. Caribbean Journal of Science. 45(1):30-51.

Tegu or Matte, Tupinambis cryptus (Family Teiidae)

Tupinambis cryptus Murphy et al. 2016:

Salvator merianae: Court, 1858:440.

Tupinambis nigropunctatus: Garman, 1887b:1.

Tejue teguexin: Mole. 1892:100.

Tupinambis teguixin nigropunctatus: Mertens, 1969:69 (Tobago).

Tupinambis nigro-punctatus: Wing and Reitz, 1982:19.

Our observations of this lizard suggest they use secondary forest, savannas, and human modified habitats. We have not observed them in primary forests proper, but at the forest edge. It may avoid dense forest because of the low number of basking sites. Like other species of Tupinambis, it is a dietary generalist. We have observed this lizard investigating caiman nests, forging along streams, on the floor of secondary forests, and in mangroves; usually while tongue flicking and probing the leaf litter with their head. This lizard is most readily observed foraging under the bird feeders at the Asa Wright Nature Center where they scavenge pieces of fruit.

Everard and Boos (1975) report it feeding on leatherback turtle eggs, ground nesting birds (including nestlings and eggs). They trapped itat Waller Field in Trinidad as well as Chaguaramas, Aripo-Cumuto, the Turure Forest, and Bush Bush Forest while studying the mongoose over a six year period. Traps were baited with chicken remains. At the Waller Field study site 56 specimens were trapped during a 23 week period. In a mark and release study involving 40 animals they had ten recaptures; time between capture and recapture ranging from 1–86 days. The animals moved between 0.0–1.2 km (X=404 m) and they estimated 79.9 (r=116.3–43.5) lizards inhabited the 104 ha study site. Trinidadian folklore (Everard and Boos, 1975) states that the young hatch during thunder storms, this suggests Beebe (1945) observed females depositing eggs in termite nests. Females excavate a chamber in a termite nest (often in arboreal situations), deposit their eggs, and the termites re-seal the nest chamber. The eggs hatch and the hatchlings escape when the termite nest softens during heavy rains. When disturbed their first defense response is to escape into vegetation or a burrow, but if cornered they raise their body and posture with stiffened legs while hissing and threatening with an open mouth. They will drop their tails and we have found shed tails in the field.

Murphy JC, Jowers MJ, Lehtinen RM, Charles SP, Colli GR, Peres Jr AK, Hendry CR, Pyron RA. 2016. Cryptic, sympatric diversity in Tegu Lizards of the Tupinambis teguixin group (Squamata, Sauria, Teiidae) and the description of three new species. PloS one. 2016 11(8):e0158542.

Speckled Anole, Anolis aeneus (Gray)

Tobago, JCM

Anolis aeneus Gray, 1840: 114. Type locality: none given. Lazell (1972) restricted it to Pointe Saline, St. George Parrish, Grenada.

Anolius alligator: Court, 1858:440.

Anolis alligator: Boulenger, 1885 2:31.

Anolis roquet ameus: Underwood, 1959:209.

Dactyloa aenea: Schwartz and Henderson, 1988:124.

Distribution. Anolis aeneus is endemic to Grenada and the Grenadines, its populations in Trinidad and Tobago (as well as Guyana) are introduced.

Males reach a body length of 77 mm, females are smaller reaching about 55 mm. Coloration is usually gray, olive, or chocolate-brown, mottling or speckles. Note that it has a bluish eye which will distinguish it from most other Anolis on Trinidad and Tobago.

Natural History. Anolis aeneus uses a wide range of habitats including open areas (Hailey et al., 2009), with substrates of mainly bushes and walls (White & Hailey, 2006) and it is usually seen in urban areas in Trinidad and Tobago. However we have found it in disturbed secondary forests on Tobago.

Gray, J. E. 1840. Catalogue of the species of reptiles collected in Cuba by W. S. MacLeay, esq.; with some notes on their habits extracted from his MS. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1) 5: 108-115.

John, RR., Hedman HD, Powell R. 2012. Anolis aeneus. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (892): 1-11.

Lazell,J.D. 1972. The anoles (Sauria: Iguanidae) of the lesser Antilles. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harvard 143 (1): 1-115

Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R.S. 1999. Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean. MacMillan, London & Oxford

Schwartz, A. & Henderson, R.W. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, 720 pp.

Simmons, P. M., B. T. Greene, K. E. Williamson, R. Powell and J. S. J. Parmerlee 2005. Ecological interactions within a lizard community on Grenada. Herpetologica 61 (2): 124-134.

Williams, E.E. Quesnel, VC. Kenny, J S.; Underwood, G. 1959. The anoles of the Eastern Caribbean (Sauria, Iguanidae) Part. I. Preface; Part II. Two sibling species of anoles in Trinidad; Part. III. Revisionary notes. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard 121 (5): 185-226.

Streak Lizard, Gonatodes vittatus (Family Sphaerodactylidae)

The male Gonatrodes vittatus was found in the stomach of the Vine Snake. JCM

Male (top), female (bottom). JCM

Gymnodactylus vittatus Lichtenstein, 1856:6. Type locality: LaGuayra, Puerto Cabello and Caracas, Venezuela.

Gonatodes gillii Cope, 1863:102.

Gonatodes vittatus: Garman, 1887b:17.

Gonatodes vittatus vittatus Roze, 1956:81.

Size: 33−34 mm SVL, both sexes about the same size; tail about 50% of SVL. Identification. A small lizard with a cylindrical body and tail; smooth, small, uniform scales on dorsum; digits slender and end in a claw. Males with bright white vertebral stripe bordered in black, extends to tail tip; body otherwise red-brown to blue gray; females heavily spotted, vertebral stripe indistinct; but colors are variable and may change with social situations. Lamellae on fourth toe 19−23. Like other Trinidad and Tobago Gonatodes dorsum with tiny granular scales, belly with larger overlapping scales. Perhaps, the most commonly seen lizard in Trinidad and Tobago. Similar species are mostly other Gonatodes that can be distinguished on the basis of coloration, hatchlings are minute, but tend to have numerous small orange spots distinguishing them from the tiny, usually striped Mole’s Gecko. Distribution: northern Colombia, Venezuela (including the Isla de Margarita and other coastal islands) and Trinidad and Tobago. Habitat: Forest-edge, savanna, and edificarian habitats; abundant in coconut trash; open shaded surfaces, on tree trunks and garden walls; does not hesitate to enter occupied houses. Biology: Diurnal but may be active at night, ambush predator and active forager. Unlike some of its relatives this species often basks in direct sunlight. Diet small arthropods including ants, beetles, spiders, dipterous larvae, isopods. Reproduction: Gonatodes frequently curl their tails over back in a scorpion-like posture, a female displaying the tail-raised posture toward a male may then be displaced by the male, the function of the display is poorly understood. Fertile eggs produced for 5-6 months after the last mating; eggs laid on palm trunks covered with fallen fronds, under rocks, and in crevices or buildings; like anoles and many other geckos, probably lays clutch of a single egg in rapid succession. Males engage in tumbling fights over territories or display locations.

Black &White Worm Lizard, Amphisbaena fuliginosa Linnaeus

Cocal on Trinidad's east coast. JCM

Amphisbaena fuliginosa Linnaeus 1758

Amphisbaena fuliginosa Linnaeus 1758:229. Type locality: America. Restricted to the Guianas by Vanzolini (1951), and further restricted to the confluence of the Cottica River and Perica Creek, Suriname, by Hoogmoed (1973).

Size. 425 mm SVL; tail 11−17% of the body. Identification. A legless lizard; black and white (sometimes pink) mottled dorsum and ventral surface; median groove on the head; three upper labials, three or four lower

labials; ocular small with 1–2 postoculars. Head about as wide as body, slightly swollen towards the back of the skull with a deep groove along the mid-line; snout blunt and projects over lower jaw. Dorsal scales are rectangular with rounded corners, ventral scales rectangular and more angular than dorsals; dorsal and ventral scales separated by a lateral fold along the length of the body. Trinidad specimens have 186–211 body annuli, 21–28 tail annuli; preanal pores 8–11. Similar species. The only other legless lizard on Trinidad is A. alba and it has more body annuli, more scales around mid-body, is tan and white or red and white in color and has a much shorter tail than this species.

Distribution. Lowlands of Panama southward to Peru and Brazil. It is present on Trinidad, unknown from Tobago.

Habitat. Forest, savanna, disturbed areas; associated with leafcutter ant nests.

Biology. Maybe active any time of day. The diet includes earthworms, insects, centipedes, and lizard eggs. They have also been found to eat ants, including the adults of the army ants of the subfamily Ecitoninae. In an attempt to escape a predator, the lizard will dig with its head, while the tail waves in a continuous arc with the tip directed anteriorly. If the head is touched while digging, the lizard crawls backward. The display stops if the lizard is lifted off the substrate. The tail display likely distracts and confuses predators. The tail display probably works in combination with the strongly contrasting coloration on the tail to produce a memorable experience for the predator. The eggs of this species have been found in ant nests which may provide a stable environment for their development.

Natural History. Maybe active any time of the day in leaf litter or loose soil. Uses savanna and forest habitats. Feeds on arthropods, and may be associated with leafcutter ant nests.

Double-headed Worm Lizard, Amphisbaena alba Linnaeus 1758

Identification. A legless lizard, with exceptionally small eyes in an ocular scale, body scales smooth, rectangular, and arranged in 220–233 annuli (or rings), another 16−21 annuli on the tail; four upper labials, three lower labials, postoculars can number 1–3; scales around body in a single ring number 70−86. The tail annuli lack a constriction for autonomy. The red-tan to off-white dorsum; the direct contact between the prefrontal and the upper labials; and the higher number of body annuli readily distinguish this species from the other Trinidad Amphisbaena.

Similar species. The Black and White Amphisbaena, A. fuliginosa, has a highly contrasting pattern of black and white; 42−55 scales around the mid-body; three upper tail with constricted base, and 24−28 annuli.

Distribution. Widespread in South America, ranging from Colombia to Paraguay. It is present on Trinidad, absent from Tobago. It is likely that several different species are currently combined under this name.

Habitat. Forests, savannas, coastal habitats, disturbed environments including cultivated fields.

Biology. Mostly nocturnal but may be found any time of day. This is a fossorial species, but it swims well; one individual swam more than 2.5 km. The diet includes plant material, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. The Double-headed Worm Lizard is often associated with leaf-cutting ant nests; and they are known to follow leaf-cutter ant scent trails. When in ant nests, this lizard feeds on beetles, which are also ant nest commensals. Studies on the life-cycle of a pentastomid parasite found in Amphisbaena alba, report it also depends on ant and beetle commensals for transmission. This suggests A. alba and the leaf-cutters (Atta) have long evolutionary and ecological relationships. Reproduction occurs in the dry season in Brazil; smallest reproductive males 422 mm, smallest reproductive females 457 mm. Clutch size 8–16. The pre-cloacal glands in these lizards secrete molecules as the glands are abraded by soil as they move through tunnels leaving a chemical message for other individuals. When disturbed it partially curls its body and raises its head and tail. The tail is rigid and often contains areas lacking pigment that are most likely scars. The tail is composed of a dense mass of collagen; predators biting the tail cause little damage to lizard. The rest of the external body is also very resistant to damage because of a layer of flexible collagen. Predators include birds and snakes.

Andrade, Denis V.; Nascimento, Luciana B.; Abe, Augusto S. 2006. Habits hidden underground: a review on the reproduction of the Amphisbaenia with notes on four neotropical species. Amphibia-Reptilia 27 (2): 207-217

Colli, G.R. & Zamboni, D.S. 1999. Ecology of the Worm-Lizard Amphisbaena alba in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Copeia 1999: 733-742

Gans, C. 1962. Notes on amphisbaenids (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia). 5. A redefinition and bibliography of Amphisbaena alba Linné. American Museum Novitates (2105): 1- 31

Gans, C. 2005. Checklist and bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the world. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 289: 1-130

Gans, Carl 1967. A check list of recent amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia). Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 135:61-106.

Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiæ. 10th Edition: 824 pp.

Rivas, Gilson A.; César R. Molina, Gabriel N. Ugueto, Tito R. Barros, César L. Barrio-Amorós 2012. Reptiles of Venezuela: an updated and commented checklist. Zootaxa 3211: 1–64

Starace, Fausto 1998. Guide des Serpents et Amphisbènes de Guyane. IBIS Rouge Editions, Guadeloupe, Guyane, 450 pp.

Vanzolini, P. E. 1955. Contribucoes ao conhecimento dos lagartos Brasileiros da familia Amphisbaenidae Gray, 1825 5. Distribuicao geographica e biometria de Amphisbaena alba L. Arquivos do Museu Nacional 42: 683-706

Vanzolini, P.E. 1974. Ecological and geographical distribution of lizards in Pernambuco, northeastern Brasil (Sauria). Papeis Avulsos de Zool. 28(4): 61-90.

Garman's Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus validus (Family Leptodactylidae)

This species occurs on the Lesser Antillean islands of St. Vincent and Bequia, Grenada, and is widespread on the continental islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It has been recorded from sea level up to near 730m asl. This is a terrestrial and nocturnal forest and forest edge species found in road side ditches, flooded grassy habitats, and secondary forests near streams. It is one of the most commonly heard, but less often seen frogs on the islands. Parent Leptodactylus validus stand watch over their offspring.

Charlotteville Litter Frog, Pristimantis charlottevillensis (Family Craugastoridae)

Vocalizing male. JCM

JCM

Formerly known as Eleutherodactylus charlottevillensis.

Size: A small terrestrial or bush frog, males 31 mm, females 47 mm SVL.

Identification: Dorsal skin of adults smooth (smaller individuals have scattered tubercles and a crescent of red-orange spots above and posterior to the tympanum) and red-brown with mottling; dark spot between the eyes; vertical bars on upper lip. Ventral skin mainly smooth with some posterior granulation; cream-white anterior, yellow posterior. Limbs have dark cross barring. Snout rounded in profile and blunt in dorsal view. Tympanum about two-thirds the diameter of eye; supratympanic fold present. All digits lack webbing but possess terminal adhesive discs. Vocalization: A distinct ‘jivit, jivit’, not loud but easily discernible. Can be heard calling on dry nights from the ground, especially stream margins, on nights when other species are silent.

Similar species: Adults distinctly larger than the other ground-living Tobago frogs with toe-pads (Mannophryne olmonae, two Pristimantis species), and with a wider head and longer snout.

Distribution and habitat: P. charlottevillensis is a Tobago endemic species. Earlier surveys reported this species from northeast Tobago, along the Northside Road to the Parlatuvier-Roxborough Road, and as far west as Speyside on the southern main road. Recent surveys report this species also in the area around Hillsborough Dam, further southwest than previously found, and along the Northside Road as far southwest as Moriah, but not in the more urban area of southwest Tobago, west of Plymouth and Scarborough. This species is found in hillier, forested areas, including the sides of streams. Biology: has been observed feeding on flies and beetles, but overall diet not investigated. As with other terraranans, it is expected that this species lays direct-developing eggs on damp ground, but reproduction has not been reported.

Conservation status: regarded as Vulnerable by IUCN (2004) but later revised to Least Concern on the basis of surveys showing a stable population, wide distribution and much suitable habitat, with no signs of chytrid infection.

Trinidad Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus nesiotus (Family Leptodactylidae)

Trinidad Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus nesiotis (Family Leptodactylidae)

Size: Small terrestrial frog, males 33 mm SVL, females not measured.

Identification: Dorsal skin smooth anteriorly, tubercles posteriorly; uniform grey/brown with a large dark interorbital triangular blotch, pointing backward; two small dark blotches in sacral region; white side blotches from axillary region to groin, bordered anteriorly by a dark brown stripe; upper surfaces of thighs mottled. Ventral skin smooth, white. Snout rounded from above and slightly protruding over lower jaw. Tympanum distinct, about three-quarters diameter of the eye. Fingers free of webbing; slight webbing between toes. No adhesive discs. Too few of these frogs have been described to allow comment on variability. Vocalization: Calls in chorus around the margins of pools; subtly different from L. validus, rapidly repeated ‘peenk, peenk’ at about four per second. Similar species: Very similar to L. validus, though the size may be smaller than validus. The two can be separated by the tympanic fold which stops a short distance from the tympanum in L. nesiotus, but the tympanic fold extends to the shoulder in L. validus. The Trinidad Thin-toed Frog also has a white lateral blotch bordered by a more dorsal dark stripe; this is absent in L. validus.

Distribution and habitat: L. nesiotus, a member of the melanonotus species group appears to be a Trinidad endemic. It is known from swampy areas in Icacos, southwest Trinidad. It has been recently found at scattered localities over much of southern Trinidad. Not recorded from Tobago. Biology: Diet not known. Reproduction not known, but as a member of the melanonotus species group, likely to produce floating foam nests like those of L. validus. Tadpoles: Unknown.


Conservation status: Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN; no known threats its habitat, but its extent is not established so Data Deficient might be a more appropriate assessment.

Steffen’s Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus latrans (Family Leptodactylidae)

This is a large leptodactylid in the Leptodactylus latrans–macrosternum-chaquensis complex. Until this species complex is revised its exact identity remains unknown. It occurs in the southwest peninsula of Trinidad (unknown from Tobago).

Amazon Leaf Frog, Lithodytes (Leptodactylus) lineatus

Amazon Leaf Frog, Lithodytes (Leptodactylus) lineatus  is known from Trinidad on the basis of MCZ 6033, collected by Richard Decker, probably in 1919. It is a cryptozoic frog that reaches a maximum size of 47-52 mm, females are larger than males. The coloration makes it a highly distinctive species. The Amazon Leaf Frog has an orange stripe that starts at the tip of the snout and extends to the groin. The limbs are tan with dark spots on the proximal part of the thigh and black dorsal coloration with a slight tan coloring. It has red spots on the posterior surfaces of thighs and there is a large red spot on the groin. The iris is copper to bronze with fine black reticulations. It is often associated with ant nets.

Barbour’s Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus insularum

Identification: Dorsal skin smooth; a pair of dorsolateral folds extend from the upper eyelid back to the groin (rarely, a second pair of folds is present); overall brown with a dark triangular blotch between the eyes, pointing backwards; surfaces of limbs barred. Ventral skin smooth with a discoidal fold on belly; white-cream. Snout truncated in profile and blunt from above. Distinct tympanum about three-quarters of eye diameter. Breeding males have enlarged forearms. Fingers free, toes slightly webbed and fringed; no adhesive discs.

Vocalization: A loud repeated ‘bloop, bloop’. After very wet days, choruses may continue through the night until dawn. Similar species: The large size of adults distinguishes this frog from all other leptodactylids in Trinidad. The single dorsolateral fold on each side, extending back from the upper margin of the eyes also separates this species from other leptodactylids. Distribution and habitat: Barbour’s Thin-toed Frog ranges from Costa Rica south into Colombia and east into Venezuela, with the Trinidad population the most easterly known. In Trinidad it has been recorded only from the southwest and central portions of the island; it has not been recorded from Tobago. This is a lowland species, from forest and swamp margins.

Biology: Diet not recorded. Mating pairs generate large foam nests, up to 30 cm across, at the edges of water and usually hidden under vegetation. Pools seasonal, but not the small shallow pools used by some species, since insularum tadpoles grow to a large size and need several weeks. Nests contain several thousand black/grey eggs, hatching after 1-2 days. Tadpoles form tight shoals. There is evidence, though not from Trinidad, that females guard their nests and tadpole shoals. Tadpoles form tight shoals, moving together through and up/down in the water column. Tadpoles reach about 50 mm in total length after several weeks. Body wider then deep and overall grey-brown, including the tail and tail fins. Tail tapered. Newly metamorphosed individuals are about 19 mm SVL and look like miniature adults.

Conservation status: Not assessed by IUCN whose species list does not yet recognize L. insularum. Leptodactylus bolivianus is listed as Least Concern on account of its wide distribution, tolerance of a wide range of habitats and presumed large population. Since the range of L. insularum is large, this status is unlikely to change.

Heyer WR, de Sa RO 2011 Variation, systematics, and relationships of the Leptodactylus bolivianus complex (Amphibia: Anura: Leptodactylidae). Smithsonian Contrib Zoology 635:1-58.