Blue anole
The blue anole (Anolis gorgonae) is a small, highly threatened species of dactyloid lizards. It is found only on the island of Gorgona, in the Colombian Pacific.[1]
| Blue anole | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Dactyloidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: | A. gorgonae |
| Binomial name | |
| Anolis gorgonae Barbour, 1905 | |
Description
Both sexes of this anole are overall pure blue, which is very rare in lizards. The male's dewlap is pure white. At least some individuals have a series of darker mottled spots on the head and neck.[2]
Conservation status
Due to the isolated environment and elusive nature of A. gorgonae, it has been difficult to accurately estimate its population, but there seems to be consensus among local herpetologists that the animal is threatened.[1] They commonly fall prey to the introduced western basilisk lizards and are also threatened by deforestation.[1] The largest amount of damage to their habitat occurred when a prison was built on the island in the 1950s.[1] It has been proposed that some individuals could be captured for a captive breeding program.[1]
See also
- List of Anolis lizards
- Lygodactylus williamsi, a similar threatened lizard
References
- "World's only pure blue lizard at risk of extinction - mongabay - 7 March 2007". Mongabay.com. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- "Picture showing mottled head pattern". Mongabay.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-31. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
