The Giant Anoline Lizards of Costa Rica and Western Panama

Abstract

The Central American anoles, Anolis frenatus, A. insignis and A. microtus belong to a series of eight giant species with standard lengths greater than 100 mm that form the latifrons group. These canopyinhabiting species were formerly rare in collections but have recently been frequently taken in areas of forest destruction. A. frenatus ranges in the lowlands from northeastern and southwestern Costa Rica to northern and central Colombia. A. insignis occurs at intermediate elevations along the slopes of the cordilleras of Costa Rica into eastern Panama. Diaphoranolis brooksi Barbour is an unquestioned juvenile of the latter species. A. microtus is found from 1300-1500 m from central Costa Rica into western Panama. A. frenatus is predominately green in life, has 4 postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs and is allied to the green forms A. latifrons, A. princeps, A. purpurescens and A. squamulatus of eastern Panama and northern South America. A. insignis and A. microtus are predominately brown in life and have 5 postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs and are distinct from the other members of the latifrons group. A. purpurescens of northwestern Colombia known only from the type has 5 postxiphisternal ribs and clearly belongs to the same stock as the other latifrons group giants.