New specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus (Squamata, Polychrotidae): the first female of the species and of proboscid anoles

Among a series of eight specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus obtained in the northern part of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, one was determined to be the first female known for the species and the first so far reported for proboscid anoles. The female lacks the characteristic male proboscis and, excepting a few consistent differences, is morphologically similar to females of Anolis punctatus, a species closely related and broadly sympatric with A. phyllorhinus. Males and females of the new series are described and new data on their ecology and behavior presented. The new data are consistent with the hypotheses that the male proboscis probably evolved as a sexual signal and that visual signals for intra and interspecific recognition are redundant in anoles.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rodrigues,Miguel Trefaut, Xavier,Vinícius, Skuk,Gabriel, Pavan,Dante
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo 2002
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0031-10492002001600001
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Among a series of eight specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus obtained in the northern part of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, one was determined to be the first female known for the species and the first so far reported for proboscid anoles. The female lacks the characteristic male proboscis and, excepting a few consistent differences, is morphologically similar to females of Anolis punctatus, a species closely related and broadly sympatric with A. phyllorhinus. Males and females of the new series are described and new data on their ecology and behavior presented. The new data are consistent with the hypotheses that the male proboscis probably evolved as a sexual signal and that visual signals for intra and interspecific recognition are redundant in anoles.