Anolis apletophallus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anolis apletophallus |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Dactyloidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: |
A. apletophallus
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| Binomial name | |
| Anolis apletophallus Köhler and Sunyer, 2008
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The Anolis apletophallus is a type of anole. Anoles are a group of lizards. This lizard belongs to the Dactyloidae family. It is naturally found in Panama. Scientists recognized it as its own species in 2008. Before that, it was thought to be part of another species, Anolis limifrons. You can find this anole in Panama, Honduras, and Colombia. Sadly, its numbers have gone down in Panama. This decline has happened over 40 years. Scientists think changes in the local climate are the cause. Years after El Niño events seem to harm this species.
Contents
Discovering the Anolis Apletophallus
Scientists only recently identified Anolis apletophallus as a unique species. This happened in 2008. The name "apletophallus" describes a special feature of this lizard. It has a large, unique body part. This feature helps scientists tell it apart from other lizards. Köhler and Sunyer were the scientists who described it.
What the Anolis Apletophallus Looks Like
Anolis apletophallus is a fairly small lizard. It lives on the mainland. It grows to about 40 to 45 millimeters long. This measurement is from its snout to the base of its tail. This lizard has a large dewlap. A dewlap is a flap of skin under its throat. It is large compared to the lizard's body size.
Dewlap Colors
The dewlap of this species can have different colors. This is called polymorphism. Some groups of these lizards have orange dewlaps. Others have white dewlaps with an orange spot at the bottom. Some places even have lizards with both dewlap colors. Scientists have studied their genes. They found no genetic differences between lizards with different dewlap colors.
Life Cycle of the Anole
These lizards do not live very long. Their generation time is about nine months. This means they are an annual species. Adults grow up quickly. They reach maturity in about four to six months.
Where the Anolis Apletophallus Lives
Anolis apletophallus is a mainland species. It is native to Panama. You might also find this lizard in Colombia.
See also
In Spanish: Anolis apletophallus para niños
