About Anolis allisoni Barbour, 1928
Allison's anole (Anolis allisoni Barbour, 1928) is superficially similar in color and morphology to the more well-known American green anole. Females are overall green with paler underparts, just like the green anole. Males have a reddish-pink dewlap, and typically have bright blue heads, forelegs, and the frontal half of the body; for males from Honduras, only parts of the head are blue, with the rest of the body green. The throat of all individuals is usually white. Both sexes can rapidly change their color to brown. Females reach roughly 7.5 cm (3 in) in snout-vent length, while males reach about 10 cm (4 in). It is one of the larger species in the carolinensis species group. Allison's anole is classified as a typical trunk-crown anole. Like other anoles in the carolinensis group, it has a large, conspicuously triangular head, and mature males have a prominent nuchal crest. This lizard has large subdigital toepads, which help it climb and cling to vertical surfaces. Anolis allisoni is thought to have originated on Cuba, but has since spread to Honduras and Half Moon Caye. This migration is believed to have occurred long ago, as the different populations across these three locations show enough phenotypic and genetic differentiation that they are being considered for subspecies status. Only a few specimens have been recorded from the Mexican island of Banco Chinchorro. The species has also been documented in several neighborhoods in southern Florida, where it survives and apparently breeds in both small parks and residential areas. This Florida population is likely of Cuban origin, and was introduced when eggs were accidentally carried to the region with plants. As a trunk-crown anole, A. allisoni is most commonly found in the canopy and on the upper trunk of tall trees. It is typically found no more than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) off the ground. Compared to most other anoles, it has evolved large subdigital toepads, an adaptation that helps it cling to vertical surfaces such as tree trunks. This lizard is most frequently seen on coconut palm trees. Before coconuts were introduced to Half Moon Caye, the lizard likely filled a similar niche in the crowns of thatch palms (Thrinax radiata, also called salt water palmetto), which were completely removed from the island in 1982. It has been proposed that this native palm be reintroduced to the island to provide habitat for the lizards, especially since the island's coconut palm population has been gradually declining. In more urban areas, this lizard is commonly found on walls and other man-made structures. It is a common species across Cuba, where its global population is largest. As of 2021, the introduced population in Florida remains restricted to a small number of neighborhoods, but their numbers are likely increasing. Many residents have already noticed the lizards, which have no fear of humans, regularly climb on building walls, and nest in residential yards.
