The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, MéxicoDuellman, William Edward
Science
The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, México
Duellman, William Edward
Amphibians -- Mexico -- Michoacán de Ocampo; Reptiles -- Mexico -- Michoacán de Ocampo
Investigations by Richard E. Etheridge on the osteology of _Anolis_,
including those species here being considered, have revealed relatively
constant differences in the parasternalia and in the caudal vertebrae.
The application of Etheridge's findings to anoline systematics must
await the completion of his study.
The carination of the scales on the snout _versus_ smooth scales there
seems to be the only significant character given by Bocourt that
distinguishes _A. Nebuloides_ from _A. nebulosus_. The difference in the
color of the throat fan, which is apparent only in living individuals,
is more striking. Obviously more than one species is represented, as is
borne out by the differences in the color of the throat fan and in the
osteology, but there is uncertainty about the correct name for each
species. On the strength of Bocourt's diagnosis of keeled snout scales
in _A. nebuloides_, I am applying that name to the population in Oaxaca
and _A. nebulosus_ to the specimens from Michoacán. As arranged here,
the two species can be distinguished, as follows:
_A. nebulosus._--Dorsal scales only slightly smaller than
the ventral scales; snout scales usually smooth; throat-fan
bright orange in adult males.
_A. nebuloides._--Dorsal scales somewhat larger than the
ventral scales; snout scales having a low keel; throat-fan
pink in adult males.
With respect to geographic distribution, _A. nebulosus_ has been
collected from southern Sinaloa southward to Michoacán. The lizards here
referred to _A. nebuloides_ have been taken only in pine-oak forest on
the mountain slopes near Oaxaca City. Zweifel and Norris (1955:233)
reported anoles with pink throat-fans from southern Sonora; possibly
those specimens are _A. nebuloides_; I have not examined them. I have
seen several preserved specimens from the vicinity of Tehuantepec,
Oaxaca. Although they probably belong to this group, those specimens
differ from both _A. nebulosus_ and _A. nebuloides_ in their larger
size, relatively larger head, and much larger throat fan.
Aside from the minor variation in scutellation, specimens of _Anolis
nebulosus_ from Michoacán vary greatly in coloration. Usually the
females have some form of a broad middorsal pale-colored band. In life
this is dull yellow, tan, or orange. Two females from Dos Aguas are
strikingly different; one (UMMZ 119521) has a broad middorsal orange
stripe that is scalloped laterally and bordered by gray. The other (UMMZ
119081) has a narrow middorsal cream-colored line. Males usually are
unicolor brown or olive-tan; sometimes the middorsal region is darker.
Some individuals have dark cross-bands or chevrons on the dorsum. One
male from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 119080) has a cream-colored lateral stripe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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