Category: All Posts Page 20 of 149

Over the years, Anole Annals has featured several posts on the appearance of anoles on postage stamps from countries around the world (e.g., 1, 2, 3), mostly thanks to Uwe Bartelt. Now AA stalwart George Gorman has taken up the mantle.

In reference to the stamps above, George writes:

“Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa somehow must have learned from P.T. Barnum that there’s a sucker born every minute. As a collector of anoles on postage stamps , I couldn’t  refrain from purchasing this recent issue that featured two very classy anoles: Anolis gorgonae and A. proboscis (male and female). I would bet there aren’t five people in Djibouti who have ever heard of these species, let alone who worry that they are endangered.”

And with regard to the famous iguana ecomorph (below), George writes: “I had enough trouble dealing with Dactyloa and “Norops” and the like… but this is getting out of hand. This mini-stamp- sheet from Nevis .. (ok.. it is labeled “reptiles of the Caribbean”)  identifies the creature as…Anegada Ground Iguana, Cyclura pinguis!”

Finally, I can’t keep from reprising a post of mine from nine years ago, in which I point out that one of my photographs was used without permission on a postage stamp. Anyone know a good anole intellectual property attorney?

Photo by Dave Welling.

New literature alert!

Heat hardening in a pair of Anolis lizards: constraints, dynamics, and ecological consequences

In Journal of Experimental Biology
Deery, Rej, Haro, and Gunderson

Abstract

Heat tolerance plasticity is predicted to be an important buffer against global warming. Nonetheless, basal heat tolerance often correlates negatively with tolerance plasticity (“Trade-off Hypothesis”), a constraint that could limit plasticity benefits. We tested the trade-off hypothesis at the individual level with respect to heat hardening in two lizard species, Anolis carolinensis and A. sagrei. Heat hardening is a rapid increase in heat tolerance after heat shock that is rarely measured in reptiles but is generally considered a first line of physiological defense against heat. We also employed a biophysical model of operative habitat temperatures to estimate the performance consequences of hardening under ecologically relevant conditions. Anolis carolinensis hardened by two hours post heat shock and maintained hardening for several hours. However, A. sagrei did not harden. Biophysical models showed that hardening in A. carolinensis reduces their overheating risk in the field. Therefore, while not all lizards heat harden, hardening has benefits for species that can. We initially found a negative relationship between basal tolerance and hardening within both species, consistent with the trade-off hypothesis. However, permutation analyses showed that the apparent trade-offs could not be differentiated from statistical artifact. We found the same result when we re-analyzed published data supporting the trade-off hypothesis in another lizard species. Our results show that false positives may be common when testing the trade-off hypothesis. Statistical approaches that account for this are critical to ensure that the hypothesis, which has broad implications for thermal adaptation and responses to warming, is assessed appropriately.

Read the full paper here!

This prototype video from a nature center in Bellaire, Texas has a degree of charm and entertainment, but a few factual errors and some unexpected historical/geopolitical statements. Still, it’s nice to see anoles chosen as the subject of their first video in what could be a series of micro-documentaries. More on the video and anoles at this website.

No, Ze Frank hasn’t created a True Facts about Anoles video–though surely that’s in the works (check out his list of videos). But he does have a very good one on camouflage and mimicry, and anoles make numerous appearances. For the record, my favorite True Facts is the one on chameleons.

It’s invasive eat native time again here in Florida, where this poor but brave male green anole somehow found himself in a battle with a giant invasive gecko, Phelsuma grandis. Check out the video on ladywildbones’ Instagram page.

Phelsuma grandis is native to Madagascar, but has been introduced to South Florida as well, where several breeding populations exist in the Florida Keys.

They eat insects, fruit, nectar, and any animal that will fit into their jaws, including anoles! Like anoles, Phelsuma are aggressive, territorial, and fast-growing. They are the ultimate Florida invader, though rivaled in success by the green iguana.

We can probably expect to see more Day Gecko/Anole confrontations as the geckos increase their population.