Anolis sagrei has apparently been introduced into Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Size. Males to 70 mm, females 48 mm; hatchlings 16 mm SVL. Smallest sexually mature male 35 mm, female 34 mm.
Identification. Brown to gray, with white or yellow patterning on the back. Dewlap orange or red with a white or yellow edge. Scales between the supraorbitals are variable ranging from none to several; scales separate the interparietal and supraorbital from the semicircles scales. Head scales keeled; five postrostrals; two postmentals. Mid dorsum has six rows of slightly enlarged scales; tail laterally compressed and may have a slight crest; keeled ventral scales that are pointed posteriorly.
Similar species. All Trinidad and Tobago anoles have cycloid (rounded) ventral scales with the exception of Anolis planiceps. Anolis sagrei has the subocular scales in contact with the upper labials. Anolis planiceps has the subocular scales and the upper labials separated by a row of scales. Anolis tigrinus has no enlarged mid-dorsal scales. Polychrus has femoral pores but all anoles lack them.
Distribution. This species has five currently recognized subspecies. Which one was introduced on Trinidad is unknown. The species is widespread in the Lesser Antilles and has been introduced into the USA (California, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii), Mexico, Belize, Aruba, and Taiwan. In Trinidad it is known only from the heart of Port of Spain, suggesting it may have arrived with ornamental plants.
Habitat. A ground dweller but will climb into low vegetation; this species thrives in almost all man-made habitats and they are abundant in suburban and urban environments.
Biology. Diurnal. Basks and forages on the ground and in vegetation. The diet includes insects, spiders, and other invertebrates (mites, isopods, gastropods). Females lay a single egg in moist soil or rotten wood at about 14-day intervals.
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| A Brown Anole, Anolis sagrei, photographed in southern Florida. JCM |
Identification. Brown to gray, with white or yellow patterning on the back. Dewlap orange or red with a white or yellow edge. Scales between the supraorbitals are variable ranging from none to several; scales separate the interparietal and supraorbital from the semicircles scales. Head scales keeled; five postrostrals; two postmentals. Mid dorsum has six rows of slightly enlarged scales; tail laterally compressed and may have a slight crest; keeled ventral scales that are pointed posteriorly.
Similar species. All Trinidad and Tobago anoles have cycloid (rounded) ventral scales with the exception of Anolis planiceps. Anolis sagrei has the subocular scales in contact with the upper labials. Anolis planiceps has the subocular scales and the upper labials separated by a row of scales. Anolis tigrinus has no enlarged mid-dorsal scales. Polychrus has femoral pores but all anoles lack them.
Distribution. This species has five currently recognized subspecies. Which one was introduced on Trinidad is unknown. The species is widespread in the Lesser Antilles and has been introduced into the USA (California, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii), Mexico, Belize, Aruba, and Taiwan. In Trinidad it is known only from the heart of Port of Spain, suggesting it may have arrived with ornamental plants.
Habitat. A ground dweller but will climb into low vegetation; this species thrives in almost all man-made habitats and they are abundant in suburban and urban environments.
Biology. Diurnal. Basks and forages on the ground and in vegetation. The diet includes insects, spiders, and other invertebrates (mites, isopods, gastropods). Females lay a single egg in moist soil or rotten wood at about 14-day intervals.
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