Pholidoscelis fuscatus
The Dominican ground lizard (Pholidoscelis fuscatus) is a species endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica, where it is commonly found in dry coastal woodlands. Adults are typically blue-gray with bright blue spots and can reach lengths of up to 400 mm. This omnivorous lizard feeds on fallen fruit, carrion, and small animals, and plays a role in the island's intact reptile population.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica.
- ›Adults are blue-gray with bright blue spots and can reach up to 400 mm in total length.
- ›Omnivorous diet includes fallen fruit, carrion, and small animals, including other lizards.
- ›Found in dry coastal woodland, scrub, and cultivated land below 300 m elevation.
- ›Reproduces year-round, laying multiple clutches of eggs annually.
- ›Absence of the mongoose on Dominica may contribute to its flourishing population.
Dominican Ground Lizard, Dominican Ameiva, AbòLò
Dominica
Dry Coastal Woodland, Scrub, Littoral Woodland, Cultivated Land
- Adults Are Blue-Gray With Bright Blue Spots On Flanks and Inner Thighs.
- Dorsal Surface Is Gray Or Reddish-Brown Flecked With Black.
- Ventral Surface Is Pale Blue; Throat and Chest Are Dark Blue-Gray.
- Males Tend To Be More Uniformly Blue-Gray and Have Broader Heads and Jowls.
- Adult Males Can Reach Svl Up To 200 mm; Females Up To 154 mm Svl.
- Total Length Can Reach Up To 400 mm .
- Juveniles Are Coppery-Brown With Dark Brown Lateral Stripes Bounded By Yellow Lines.
- Juvenile Stripes Have Yellow Flecks and Spots That Turn Blue With Maturity.
- Fallen Fruit
- Carrion
- Invertebrates
- Other Small Lizards
- Eggs, Embryos, and Hatchlings of the Lesser Antillean Iguana
- Heliothermic .
- Usually Observed During the Hottest Part of the Day.
- Generally Terrestrial.
- Observed Climbing Trees To Heights Over 1.5 Meters, Possibly For Hunting.
- Habitat Alteration and Fragmentation Due To Agricultural Development
- Erosion
- Use of Pesticides On Plantations
About Pholidoscelis fuscatus
The Dominican Ground Lizard: A Caribbean Endemic
The Dominican ground lizard, scientifically known as Pholidoscelis fuscatus, is a reptile species uniquely found on the Caribbean island of Dominica. This lizard is a significant component of the island's well-preserved reptile fauna, thriving particularly in dry coastal woodland environments. Its presence and relative abundance highlight Dominica's ecological distinctiveness in the Lesser Antilles.
Description and Identification
Adult Dominican ground lizards are characterized by their distinctive coloration. They exhibit a predominantly blue-gray hue, adorned with bright blue spots on their flanks and inner thighs. The dorsal surface can range from gray to a reddish-brown, often flecked with black. Ventrally, they are pale blue, with a darker blue-gray on the throat and chest. While sexual dichromatism is minimal, males tend to display a more uniform blue-gray coloration and possess broader heads and jowls compared to females. Adult males can reach a snout-vent length of up to 200 mm, while females reach up to 154 mm, with tails of similar length. The total length, including the tail, can extend to approximately 400 mm.
Juveniles present a markedly different appearance. They are coppery-brown overall, distinguished by a dark brown lateral stripe on each side, bordered by yellow lines. These stripes are speckled with yellow flecks that mature into blue markings. Their rapid movement and similar size and coloration can lead to confusion with other small lizard species like Gymnophthalmus pleii and Mabuya mabouya, though the latter can be differentiated by their shinier skin and less distinct, snake-like head and body.
Distribution and Habitat
Pholidoscelis fuscatus is endemic to Dominica, making it one of the island's two native lizard species. It is considered fairly common and is primarily found in dry coastal woodlands, scrublands, littoral woodlands, and cultivated areas situated below an elevation of about 300 meters. The coastal woodlands of Dominica are renowned for supporting high biomasses of terrestrial reptiles, with the Dominican ground lizard estimated to occur at a mean density of 379 individuals per hectare in these environments. Agricultural development has led to the clearing of rainforests, allowing the lizard's range to expand into higher elevations.
Diet and Behavior
Dominican ground lizards are omnivorous. Their foraging habits include consuming fallen fruits such as mangoes, scavenging for carrion, and preying on invertebrates and other small lizards. They have also been observed to consume the eggs, embryos, and hatchlings of the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana. Interestingly, they appear to avoid scavenging on carrion of their own species.
These lizards are heliothermic, meaning they regulate their body temperature using sunlight, and are typically most active during the hottest parts of the day. While primarily terrestrial, they have been documented climbing trees to heights exceeding 1.5 meters, a behavior potentially linked to hunting for prey.
Reproduction
The species does not adhere to a strict breeding season and reproduces year-round. Males reach sexual maturity at a snout-vent length of 94 mm, and females at 105 mm. It is estimated that females lay two to three clutches of eggs annually, with each clutch typically containing around four eggs. The number of eggs in a clutch tends to increase with the size of the female.
Conservation and Significance
Despite the extinction of many related lizard species on neighboring islands, the Dominican ground lizard continues to thrive, a success partly attributed to the absence of the mongoose on Dominica. However, researchers note potential vulnerabilities related to habitat alteration and fragmentation resulting from ongoing forest clearing for agriculture and subsequent erosion. The increased use of pesticides on banana and tree crop plantations may also pose a threat to the species' long-term survival. Historically, the indigenous Kalinago people utilized the abòlò, as it is locally known, in stews as a remedy for certain ailments, reflecting a long-standing relationship between the people and this unique reptile.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dominican ground lizard commonly known as?
The Dominican ground lizard is locally known as the abòlò. Indigenous Kalinago people historically stewed it as a remedy for certain illnesses.
What is the scientific classification of the Dominican ground lizard?
The Dominican ground lizard was first described by Samuel Garman in 1887. It belongs to the genus Pholidoscelis.
What are the physical characteristics of adult Dominican ground lizards?
Adults are mostly blue-gray with bright blue spots on their flanks and inner thighs. Their dorsal surface is gray or reddish-brown flecked with black, and their ventral surface is pale blue. Males tend to be more uniformly blue-gray and have broader heads and jowls.
How do juvenile Dominican ground lizards differ from adults?
Juveniles are coppery-brown with dark brown lateral stripes bordered by yellow lines. These stripes have yellow flecks that turn blue as the lizard matures. Juveniles are often confused with other small lizard species due to their fast movement and similar coloration and size.
Where does the Dominican ground lizard live?
This species is restricted to the island of Dominica, where it inhabits dry coastal woodland and scrub, littoral woodland, and cultivated land below approximately 300 meters elevation. Its range is expanding to higher elevations due to agricultural development.
What does the Dominican ground lizard eat?
They are omnivorous, foraging for fallen fruit like mangoes, scavenging for carrion, and hunting invertebrates or other small lizards. They are also known to consume eggs, embryos, and hatchlings of the endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana.
What are the reproductive habits of the Dominican ground lizard?
The Dominican ground lizard reproduces year-round and does not have a restricted breeding season. Females lay approximately two to three clutches of eggs annually, with each clutch containing about four eggs, and the number of eggs increasing with the female's size.
Are there any threats to the Dominican ground lizard population?
While flourishing, the species may be vulnerable to habitat alteration and fragmentation caused by forest clearing for agriculture and subsequent erosion. Increased use of pesticides on plantations could also pose a threat.
Related Lizards
East Canary gecko
The East Canary gecko, also known as the Canary wall gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis), is a species of lizard native to the eastern Canary Islands. This plump, dorsally flattened gecko is characterized by adhesive toe pads, small tubercles on its skin, and variable greyish-brown coloration with darker bars. It inhabits a wide range of environments, from rocky shores and shrubland to urban areas, and is commonly observed at night on walls and ceilings.
Balkan wall lizard
The Balkan wall lizard, scientifically known as Podarcis tauricus, is a common terrestrial lizard native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. It is characterized by its sturdy build, a bright green coloration in spring that fades to olive-green or brown in summer, and a tail twice its body length. This species thrives in open habitats such as grasslands, steppes, and cultivated areas.
Argentine giant tegu
The Argentine giant tegu (Salvator merianae), also known as the Argentine black and white tegu, is the largest species of tegu lizard, native to South America. These omnivorous reptiles inhabit tropical rainforests, savannas, and semi-deserts, and are notable for their intelligence, relatively gentle nature, and unique ability to exhibit partial endothermy during their breeding season. They are also a significant invasive species in parts of the United States.