Vivariums;reptiles;Anoles;A.allisoni

Allison's anole - Anolis allisoni :

Allison's anole (Anolis allisoni), also known as the blue-headed anole, is a species of anole. This lizard is found in Cuba (except the west and the far southeast), the Bay Islands and Cayos Cochinos off the mainland of Honduras, and Half Moon Caye off the mainland of Belize.[1][2] There is also a single doubtful record from Cozumel, Mexico.[2] This diurnal species is commonly seen on palm trunks and it feeds on invertebrates.[2]

Allison's anole

male on Roatán, Honduras

Conservation status :

Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Reptilia

Order:Squamata

Suborder:Iguania

Family:Polychrotidae

Genus:Anolis

Species:A. allisoni

Binomial name :

Anolis allisoni
Barbour, 1928

Etymology :

The specific name, allisoni, is in honor of American philanthropist Mr. Allison Vincent Armour.[3]

Taxonomy :

Anolis allisoni is part of the carolinensis group of anoles, a clade of mid-sized trunk-crown anoles thought to have originated in Cuba. It is very closely related to other anoles of this group such as the American green anole, Anolis carolinensis, and its Cuban "cousin" Anolis porcatus.

similar to the green anole, males have a reddish dewlap, and typically have bright blue heads, forelegs, and frontal half of the body (in specimens from Honduras, only the head is blue and the neck, limbs and lower body are bright green). In all specimens the throat is usually white. Both sexes are able to rapidly change their colour to brown.[2] Females reach about 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) in snout-vent length and males about 10 centimetres (3.9 in).[4] It is one of the larger species in the carolinensis subgroup. Allison's anole is a typical trunk-crown anole. Like other anoles in the carolinensis subgroup, it has a large, conspicuously triangular-shaped head, and males have a prominent nuchal crest. This lizard has large subdigital toepads, which help facilitate climbing and clinging to vertical surfaces.

Description :

In terms of colour and morphology, Allison's anole is superficially similar to the better-known American green anole. While females are overall green with paler underparts,

Distribution and habitat :

Distribution :

This anole is believed to have originated on Cuba but has since spread to Honduras and Half Moon Caye. This migration is believed to have occurred long ago as the different populations on these three locations display sufficient phenotypical and genetic differentiation to be considered for subspecies status.

Habitat :

Anolis allisoni is a trunk-crown anole, meaning that it is commonly found in the canopy and on the upper trunk of tall trees. It is commonly found up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) off the ground. This anole has evolved large subdigital toepads, compared to most other anoles, and this adaptations helps it to cling to vertical surfaces such as the trunks of trees. This lizard is most commonly seen on coconut palm trees. Before coconuts were introduced to the island of Half Moon Caye the lizard probably occupied a similar niche in the crowns of salt water palmettos (Thrinax radiata), which was exterminated from the island in 1982. It has been suggested that this plant be reintroduced to the island to provide habitat for the lizards, especially since the coconut palm population on Half Moon Caye has been gradually declining. In more urban areas this lizard may be commonly be seen on walls and other man-made structures. It is a common sight on the island of Cuba, where its population is largest.

Gallery :

Brown color phase Allison's anole.

Female Allison's anole.

Allison's anole on wall.

Blue-headed anole on grass stalk.

Allison's anole.

For the external links , refrences click here to read the full wikipedia article

Video :

Anolis allisoni (Allison's anole Blue-headed Anole - Lagartija cabeza azul) 01

Other websites :

- Prices : www.daygeckos.co.uk/product/anolis-allisoni-blue-headed-cuban-anole/

- blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2013/10/11/how-to-breed-green-anoles-and-raise-the-youngsters/

- www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269627

- reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Anolis&species=allisoni

- www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Anolis%20allisoni&item_type=topic

Spotlight on Cuban Anoles, IV: Anolis allisoni

courtesy to : www.anoleannals.org/2014/05/20/spotlight-on-cuban-anoles-iv-anolis-allisoni/

By : Shea Lambert - May 20, 2014

Anolis allisoni, close relative of our friendly neighborhood A. carolinensis, is a remarkable lizard. It’s also no stranger to Anole Annals, and the populations found off the coast of Honduras were just featured here. We saw a lot of these lizards in Cuba, and the post is pretty picture heavy, so join us after the jump for blue-headed lizards.

A. allisoni was abundant in every urban area we visited in central and eastern Cuba. One need only find a small pocket of trees (town squares are good for this) to locate this blue-headed beauty. Actually, I can’t remember seeing A. allisoni anywhere except human habitat, but forays into the countryside were limited on this part of the trip. Let’s start off with a couple of large males I found in drab coloration:

Ok. Here’s a couple females:

Not that exciting? Alright, here’s the good stuff. A smattering of the variation in blue-headed males we observed:

I was really blown away by how intensely blue these lizards can be. They weren’t quite Sceloporus-venter-blue, but then again, (most) Sceloporus don’t have blue heads. It just seems like an ill-advised thing for a medium-sized lizard to do. The males also seem to be about 50% mouth, with an impressively ridged snout. I’d guess that this maw evolved in response to male-male competition, unless male A. allisoni are out there eating baby birds or something.

Actually, the last pair of A. allisoni we saw were two spectacularly colored males, battling on the beams of a balcony 15 feet above our heads. There was dewlapping, frantic push-ups, a brief fracas, and a clear winner. Sadly, I didn’t have my camera (we were in line for the bathroom). I did however get a couple of dewlap shots. Here’s perhaps the most brilliantly colored individual we saw:

He dewlapped a few moments later – unfortunately, I think I just missed the focus on this one.

This individual dewlapped just before sunset, and proceeded to darken. A dusk “chorus,” if you will.

Well, that’s about all I have for A. allisoni pictures. I’ve heard that the brilliant blue is actually caused by a lack of yellow pigment, and that A. allisoni can be thought of as “a blue lizard wearing yellow pants.” Any anole color experts care to comment?

Videos :