Predation event between a Praying Mantis (Mantodea: sp.) and a sub-adult female of Anolis cusuco. Photo Credit – George Lonsdale
Its quite rare that the tables are turned in the “anole eat insect” world. But in some cases, anoles instead find themselves becoming the prey.
A natural history note published September 2019 in the journal SAURIA details an unusual observation of anolivory by a Praying Mantis. Specifically, it discusses an event involving the predation of a sub-adult female Anolis (Norops) cusuco.
Anolis cusuco owes its name to its type locality in the cloud-forest of Cusuco National Park, Honduras, and is a species endemic to the country. Few publications exist regarding the natural history of this species and much regarding its ecology, including its potential predators, remain unknown. While a small contribution, this observation describes the first, albeit somewhat unsuspecting predator for Anolis cusuco.
An adult male Anolis amplisquamosus with black gorgetal scales immediately after capture (left); the same individual ~10 min later with white gorgetal scales. Photo Credit – John David Curlis
Anole dewlaps are excellent examples of a “complex signalling system.” They exhibit a staggering diversity of colours and patterns. Each dewlap is species specific and adapted to enable these lizards to communicate, attract mates and guard their territories from rivals or competitors. Generally, the colour of a dewlap (and its gorgetal scales) is considered an unchangeable descriptive trait. This colouration is not only relied upon by scientists looking to identify a species, but also by anoles that co-occur and partition with different species in their select niche.
Therefore, it might be surprising to learn that recent observations prove rapid colour change in anole gorgetal scales is possible. The question is, what implications does this have?
A recent publication in IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians details an observation of Anolis amplisquamosus whereby a male individual upon capture possessed black gorgetal scales that quickly changed to pale yellow. Upon consulting the literature, it seems only one prior documentation of colour change in gorgetal scales was reported (Leenders and Watkins-Colwell, 2003), coincidentally also involving a member of the same species clade.
This recent observation of chromatophoric regulation in anole gorgetal scales may be significant in the wider context of anole biology, in confirming photographically that coloration is not always a fixed descriptive or diagnostic feature — at least among members of the A. crassulus species group. Accordingly, this information suggests that some anoles may have the ability to regulate the colour of their gorgetal scales in the same manner as they regulate dorsal and lateral scale colour.
Because the colour of gorgetal scales is a character often used in species identification, understanding the mechanics and the purpose of such a change is crucial; as well as any implications to display behaviour, communication and anole interactions.
While performing population research of Anolis(Norops) bicaorum at Kanahau Utila Research & Conservation Facility, we stumbled upon two males in close proximity initiating a territorial dispute. With the intention of documenting this behavior, we began to record the interaction.
In all honesty, the confrontation was a little shorter than any of us expected… It may well be one of my funniest fieldwork memories to date (despite watching it on repeat, I still can’t help but chuckle at this anole’s misfortune!) . To detail, upon the first exchange of dewlap extensions, the responding male slipped and fell clumsily from the trunk; meanwhile, his contender (who was in the process of displaying) looked on, apparently baffled at the sudden disappearance of his rival.
It appears the falling males mistake arose owing to a combination of two factors. The simple explanation is that this male lost his footing on the steep vertical trunk (which formed the battleground on this occasion), but indeed it’s rare to see an anole make such an error of judgement; the lamellae on their feet afford them excellent grip on many substrates. The second explanation owes to the fact males are completely intolerant of one another. We noted that when engaging in territorial disputes, males of A. bicaorum become entirely absorbed in their confrontation, possessed by their territorial natures and relentless in their efforts to dissuade and expel contenders from their patch. Often, competing individuals become so preoccupied that hey no longer perceive apparent dangers (e.g., the closely observing biologists). Perhaps the haphazard approach of males in territorial engagement leaves them prone to the occasional miscalculation.
Opposite views of a communal sleeping event (1 male, 2 females) of Anolis cusuco at Parque Nacional Cusuco, Departamento Cortes, Honduras (Brown & Arrivillaga, 2018)
Let’s be honest: anoles are fascinating! These charismatic and well-adapted lizards are always a pleasure to watch and document. Better yet, no matter how well you think you know a species, they’re still always full of surprises.
The sleeping behavior of anoline lizards is a fascinating aspect of their natural history, and a growing amount of literature has detailed species-specific sleeping activities. Typically, anoles are considered solitary sleepers owing to their territorial nature, but ‘behind closed doors,’ this may not always be the case!
For those curious, a recent ‘behavioral oddity’ published in Mesoamerican Herpetology by Brown & Arrivillaga (2018), reported an example of three individual Anolis (Norops) cusuco sleeping together on a perch! The individuals were so close that portions of their bodies overlapped! Strange, indeed; this observation contrasts the typical view of anole sleeping ecology, territoriality and indeed that what is known for this species (Clause & Brown, 2017). In over 5 years of visiting Cusuco NP (observing countless solitary sleeping A. cusuco), imagine the surprise in finding these anoles having a sneaky snuggle!!
As we wrote: “Although a conclusive explanation is not available, we suggest that because the sleeping group consisted of one male and two females, that the shared perch might have been breeding-related. This situation might be associated with the overlap of male and female territories, or by the anoles awakening close to necessary resources. Conceivably, however, courtship might have been interrupted by nightfall, and the orientation of the sleeping male ensured that courting would continue the following morning.”
(Top) A recycle themed community workshop resulted in this amazing anole artwork, designed to spur the recognition and conservation of Utila’s endemic Bica Anole – Anolis (Norops) bicaorum (photographed bottom).
Community engagement and local acknowledgment of important species is essential for effective conservation. On Utila Island, researchers at Kanahau Utila Research & Conservation Facility have been working hard to not only research and document populations of the endemic Anolis (Norops) bicaorum, but also increase community awareness and recognition towards this local lizards conservation plight.
An excellent example and interactive method found to raise awareness is through the creation of art!
With the kind inspiration, help and guidance of abstract artist Yioula Koutsoubou, we created some conservation-themed murals from the collected plastic materials, inviting children from the local schools to be involved. The event was held and artwork assembled throughout the day at the public park (a prominent location in Utila town), and so many people stopped to watch the artwork progress and ask questions. Overall, it was fantastic to see collaboration between the island NGO’s, as well as children, locals, tourists (people of many ages) attending, all being involved, helping and importantly learning about the conservation issues surrounding Utila’s biodiversity. In addition to the Anole art, a Sea Turtle mural was also created; which is currently positioned for all to see above a small recycle area in town (promoting the importance of limiting disposable plastics/sorting and recycling domestic waste). The Anole Artwork now hangs ‘pride of place’ on the front of the Kanahau Facility (located adjacent to Pumpkin Hill – the site observed with the highest anole abundance). Here (visible to all who pass by on their scenic route up the hill) it serves to honor the populations of Utila’s endemic anoles, whilst spreading appreciation and recognition for the species!
Why make Anole art on Utila? – Preliminary observations and research from the Kanahau facility (funded by MBZ) suggest that populations of Utila’s endemic anoles are substantially threatened owing to the unsustainable expansion and development of agriculture, infrastructure and the tourism industry (see N . bicaorum – Brown et al. 2017; and N. utilensis – Brown et al. 2017). The greatest threat to these species is considered the loss of their primary hardwood forest habitats, of which less and less sadly remains. Environmental education and engagement of the local community with key issues (such as biodiversity decline and the importance of protecting island resources/habitats) is considered essential for successful conservation of these anoles.
* Many thanks to Yioula Koutsoubou, Andrea Albergoni, Daisy Maryon and the many others who assisted with the event that day! A big thanks to all the islands NGOs and workshop collaborators (Kanahau, WSORC, BICA, Utila Beach Clean & Utila Handmade Co-Op ) for organizing and supporting the event!
Blook sucking Sand Flies present on Anolis bicaorum; a species endemic to Utila Island, Honduras.
Sand Flies (Lutzomyia)! For those of you fortunate enough to have worked in the Neotropics, you may well remember these relentless, miniature biting definitions of annoyance and discomfort! Well, it seems it isn’t just biologists that fall victim to torment, but unfortunately our anole friends, too!
While in the field conducting ‘Anole Patrol’ (Visual Encounter Surveys) at Kanahau Utila Research & Conservation Facility on Utila Island, Honduras, we often encounter individuals of Anolis (Norops) bicaorum tolerating ectoparasitism by Sand flies (Lutzomyia). Regretfully, we have yet to extensively research into anole ectoparasitic/host relationships, though a quick online search brings up a surprising pool of prior literature.
While my knowledge on this topic is still somewhat lacking, I figured that this little observation proves interesting and its documentation may spur a discussion of such!
A male Anolis bicaorum encountered in-situ with numerous ectoparasitic Sand Flies (Lutzomyia) on its body.
An additional future threat includes the unfortunate establishment and spread of the admirably successful, yet deplorably invasive, Anolis sagrei , an adaptable, competitive and ironically ‘loathsome lizard’ previously associated with declines of native herpetofauna (a species that i am sure requires little introduction on Anole Annals!!).
