User:Rgodek518/Anolis proboscis

Description[edit]
Anolis proboscis has very short limbs and a small body. Four main movement behaviors have been observed: crawling (most common), walking, running, and jumping.

Anolis proboscis has a total body length (excluding tail) of roughly 5–7.5 cm (2.0–3.0 in). Males possess a conspicuous proboscis, an elongated structure arising from the middle of the snout and about 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in length; it appears to be used in courtship displays, as is the dewlap that is present in both sexes. There are multiple colour morphs, with the proboscis ranging from greenish yellow to orange-brown, and variety of patterning over the body, including spots and stripes. The species is cryptic, making them very difficult to track and watch. Several times they have been lost by observers due to a small breeze or shift in vegetation. Anolis Proboscis bears many resemblances to the Greater Antillean twig anoles. The species possesses a semi-prehensile tail, which aids them as they climb and forage in the canopy. Although slow moving, they have been known to cover great distances.

Proboscis
One of the most notable features of the species is its proboscis - a pliable, blunt appendage extending beyond the snout approximately 85% of the head length. Although the exact purpose of the appendage is unknown, male to male combat can be ruled out due to its highly flexible nature. Beyond sexual selection, the proboscis may help males appear larger, which could lend a significant advantage in male to male combat, despite not acting as an actual weapon. Finally, because of its sexually dimorphic nature, the proboscis' use in thermoregulation or as a lure for hunting prey can also be ruled out. Likely, it serves as an intraspecific communication signal, and could also play a role in territorial displays or mate choice.

Distribution and Habitat[edit]
Based on the few localities known, the species inhabits montane forest habitats in the Chocó, where it keeps to high trees. Specimens have predominantly been found in primary and secondary vegetation along a well-traveled dirt road. Only five localities in total are currently known, with a maximum distance of 13 km (8 mi) between the two farthest ones. While the area of occurrence includes pasture land and secondary forest, it is likely that the species also lives in other mid-altitude (1,200–1,650 m or 3,940–5,410 ft) areas in the Ecuadorian Andes. Despite most sightings of them occurring in areas with severe habitat fragmentation and destruction, it can be concluded that they prefer the deep forest where they are far more difficult to spot. The species has been known to occupy all levels of the rainforest, ranging from the groundfloor to the canopy. However, they seem to spend most of their time high off the ground, inhabiting dense vegetation, making them particularly difficult to observe.At night, the lizards roost on small twigs and leaves (less than a centimeter in diameter) between 2.1 and 10 meters off of the ground, which allow them to detect the vibrations of potential predators. Observations in the Mindo area of Ecuador located the species in apple trees and bamboo plants, as well as in disturbed forest habitats.

Courtship[edit]
In order to attract a mate both males and females display their dewlaps, employing variations of extension lengths. Males have been seen with their dewlaps extended and their proboscis drooped downward while courting. Males are able to slowly change the stiffness and direction of their horns when courting. Other courting behaviors that have been observed include swinging of the head from side to side and up and down when approaching a female all while the dewlap is displayed, either half or fully extended. Courtship is deemed successful if and when the females runs past the male and continues in the opposite direction which leads to the second stage of mating called chasing.

Chasing progresses when the female prompts the male to follow by running past him in the opposite direction. It involves the male following the female in quick short sprints while frequently bobbing their heads in the same pattern as seen in courtship. If the male cannot successfully follow the female, no mating occurs.

Next, the stimulation stage begins when the male catches the female and the female arches her neck in response, signifying readiness for copulation. The male must mount the female and find a good position to copulate in. As the male does this, he is constantly rubbing her nape with the tip of his snout in order to stimulate the female and to elevate the female's rostral appendage.

Conflict between males[edit]
Male agonistic behaviors that occur when two males attempt to court the same female. Non-violent agonistic behaviors from males include attempts to display at each other, chase the other male away, open their mouths to display teeth, arch their neck, raise their backs and probosces, and keep their heads down. Further, the males have been observed performing a movement resembling a push-up, whereby he moves his body forward with his head and tail down, and then back, raising his head and tail in the process. During this display, the male's dewlaps will be extended, the tail curled up, and the proboscis straight. These behaviors are intended to scare away the other males, potentially by making the male appear larger. They have also been recorded turning sideways and straightening out their body, extending their tongues, perhaps to accentuate their body length. Violent agonistic behaviors can include biting and pushing of other males. Agonistic behaviors can last as long as it takes for the other male to stop attempting courtship.

Reproduction
Anolis Proboscis reproduces oviparously.

Diet[edit]
The species is omnivorous and has a diverse diet. The stomach can hold anywhere between 4-16 prey items. A large array of different insects is preyed on, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, bugs and hymenoptera. Consumed plant material includes flower petals, pieces of wood, and seeds.

Conservation[edit]
The species is currently classified as Endangered due to its possibly restricted distribution in combination with ongoing threats in the form of habitat loss from logging, human settlement, agriculture, and grazing.

The species was feared to be extinct when it was not seen after the original collection in 1953. It was rediscovered in 2004 when an individual was seen and photographed in a cloud forest near Mindo, Ecuador, by a visiting ornithologist. In August 2009, a herpetology expedition from the University of New Mexico located the species in a remote region of Ecuador. In total, they found five individuals including three males and the first two females ever seen and collected. Since 2009, several other expeditions were able to relocate the species in remote regions of Ecuador. However, Anolis proboscis' rarity could be the result of several different factors, including a very niche environment (the canopies of cloud forests), and naturally low populations.

References