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| Anolis wattsi (Watts Anole) from Arima, Trinidad. Photo by Adam Fifi |
Anolis wattsi or Watt's Anole is native to Antigua and is one of a few Anolis species introduced to Trinidad. Anolis wattsi is smaller, prefers lower perches and has a higher field body temperature when compared to other Anoles (Michaelidis et al. 2019). These factors have contributed in some way to its successful establishment in Trinidad and a recent report further backs this with its apparent spread across the island (Fifi and Auguste 2017).
Anolis wattsi was first discovered in Trinidad in 1992 by Graham White, current editor of Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. The lizard was first spotted on pineapple plants which suggested a possible source as to how it got here. However, later surveys found no evidence to back this up. Thus, the actual introduction source was unresolved. Michaelidis and colleagues (2019) then used genetic studies to infer the source of introduced Anolis wattsi populations in Trinidad.
Based on their genetic results, Anolis wattsi populations in Trinidad more likely came from the northern part of Antigua, as opposed to the south where pineapple plants are cultivated. Also, the spread of individuals within Trinidad is likely from individuals already in the island.
Although competition among Anolis lizards is great when similar ecomorphologically, the only species (currently) that Anolis wattsi closely cohabitates with in Trinidad is Anolis aeneus. This species is larger, uses higher perches, and thus to an extent avoids competition (for resources like microhabitat and food). Because of this, Anolis wattsi is likely to continue to establish itself further in Trinidad.
References:
Michaelidis et a. 2019. Genetic reconstruction of the invasion history of Anolis
similarity to invasion success. Herpetological Journal 29: 131-139.
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