Anolis insignis Cope 1871

Poe, Steven & Ryan, Mason J., 2017, Description of two new species similar to Anolis insignis (Squamata: Iguanidae) and resurrection of Anolis (Diaphoranolis) brooksi, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 141) 11 (2), pp. 1-16 : 4-6

Anolis insignis Cope 1871

( Figures 1 , 5 )

Holotype

Lost ( Savage and Talbot 1978); from “ Costa Rica: Pro- vincia de San José: near Ciudad San José; probably from near La Palma,” according to Savage and Talbot (1978) and Savage (1974).

Examined specimens

LACM 149495 collected by J. Hagnauer and N.J. Scott in January 1975 (no day provided) and LACM 149496 collected by G. Hagnauer and W. Timmerman in April 1974 (no day provided) from Costa Rica, Alajuela, Vicin- ity of Bijagua (10.7333; -85.1; 425 m); LACM 149500 (> 120.0 mm SVL), smooth scales on the upper thigh, and short limbs ( Savage and Talbot 1978). Anolis insignis is diagnosed from the three species described below by its orange-red male dewlap ( Fig. 1 ; white, peach-tan, and pink with dark streaks, respectively by species, in the other forms). It further differs from the Southwestern Costa Rican form in its lack of a postorbital blotch (present in the Southwestern Costa Rican form); from the Fortuna form in its prominent postcloacal scales in males (obscure in the Fortuna form); from A. brooksi in some scale counts ( Table 1; e.g., greater number of postrostrals) and details of color pattern ( Savage and Talbot 1978; e.g., absence of narrow black lines dorsally).

collected by K. Timmerman 20 June 1984 and LACM 149497 collected by H. Hespenheide and E. Fisher (no date provided) from Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Monteverde (10.3; -84.816667; 1,455 m); LACM 149498 collected by P. Siegfried (no date provided) from Costa Rica, Alajuela, Poco Sol (10.3667; -84.6167; 580 m) .

Diagnosis

Anolis insignis and the three species described below are the only Central American Anolis to combine large size External description (in mm)

Snout-vent length (SVL) to 157.0 mm male, 140.0 mm female; head length-SVL ratio 0.24–0.25, head widthSVL ratio 0.14–0.16; ear height-SVL ratio 0.015 –0.028; femoral length-SVL ratio 0.24–0.25; tail length-SVL ratio 1.9–2.1. Dorsal head scales mostly smooth, a few with weak keels or rugosity apparently reflecting underlying bone or ossification, pustules present in some specimens; frontal depression present, anterior half of snout raised in two faint parallel rows; rostral overlaps mental anteriorly; lateral edges of mental scales extend farther posteriorly than rostral; 9–11 scales across snout between second canthals; 2–3 scales between supraorbital semicircles; 2–3 scales separating interparietal and supraorbital semicircles; suboculars in contact with supralabials; five loreal rows; no elongate superciliaries, first superciliary is smaller than first canthal; anterior row of small scales following canthals along edge of orbit; circumnasal scale separated from rostral by one scale; interparietal length-SVL ratio 0.014 –0.017; 8–9 supralabials to center of eye; 6–9 postmentals; 7–10 postrostrals; scales in supraocular disc only slightly differing in size; mental partially divided posteriorly, extending posterolaterally equal to or shorter than rostral, with straight posterior border; 0–2 keeled enlarged sublabials.

Dewlap reaches well posterior to axillae in males and females; dewlap scales in rows of multiple scales in both sexes; no axillary pocket; pair of distinct, abruptly enlarged postcloacal scales in males; dorsal scales smooth; zero enlarged middorsal rows, 7–11 longitudinal rows in 5% of SVL; ventral scales in transverse rows, smooth, 8–12 scales in 5% of SVL; supradigitals multicarinate; toepads expanded; 25–27 lamellae under third and fourth phalanges of fourth toe; thigh scales smooth dorsally and ventrally, unicarinate anteriorly, multicarinate at knee; tail with a double row of middorsal scales.

Distribution and habitat

We have no experience with Anolis insignis in life. Savage (2002) reports that this is an uncommon canopy species that inhabits undisturbed forests.

With our recognition of multiple species within what was previously considered Anolis insignis , we restrict the range of A. insignis sensu stricto to the Cordillera Tilarán and Cordillera Central of Costa Rica. We currently consider the range of A. insignis to encompass localities for A. insignis -like anoles collected in Northern and Central Costa Rica. Assuming this range, the known elevation of A. insignis is 425 m (Bijagua, CRE 3715, UCR 8783) to 1,500 m (La Palma, Holotype).

Figures

Fig. 1. Anolis insignis, male, Pocosol, Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Fig. 5. Dorsal headscales of A) Anolis kathydayae, MSB 96613; B) A. brooksi, MSB 75647 C) A. savagei, MSB 96616; D) A. insignis LACM 149500.