Variation in morphological and reproductive characteristics of females of Anolis nebulosus (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from island and mainland populations near the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Abstract

AbstractWe present a comparative analysis of the morphological and reproductive characteristics of adult female Anolis nebulosus, an arboreal lizard found on both mainland and insular habitats near the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Females from San Pancho Island were larger in all measured morphological variables than females from Biological Field Station Chamela (BFSCH) on the mainland, and those also reproduced at smaller body size (snout‐vent length, SVL: range = 35–44, = 39 mm) than females on San Pancho Island (range = 40–47, = 43 mm). Egg mass and egg volume were also greater on San Pancho Island, but clutch frequency was higher on BFSCH during breeding season; in this place, one egg every 8 days over a period of 4 months (123 days) versus one egg every 10 days over a period of 4 months (130 days) on San Pancho Island. Thus, we conclude that certain characteristics related to reproduction (e.g. size at sexual maturity, egg mass and egg volume) in A. nebulosus with populations inhabiting islands and mainland, vary primarily in accordance with female SVL. These variations are most likely a response to the different pressures where A. nebulosus inhabits on environments the islands and mainland near the Pacific Coast of Mexico.