About Anolis grahami Gray, 1845
Anolis grahami Gray, 1845 is a species of anole lizard. Its upper body is typically a rich emerald or aquamarine, while its trunk and legs are bright deep blue. It has a bright orange dewlap. The first half of the tail is deep blue, and the lower half is brilliant violet. Its underside is usually light blue-gray. Occasionally, especially in females and younger individuals, these colors may be somewhat muted, though they are still quite gaudy. Fully grown males can be exceptionally colorful; pure turquoise blue individuals are occasionally observed. Mature males can reach a total length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) and a snout–vent length (SVL) of 8 cm (3.1 in), and females are smaller than males. When competing for territory or threatened, males may raise a small dorsal crest on top of their heads.
Anolis grahami belongs to the family Dactyloidae, a subgroup of Iguania; members of Dactyloidae are commonly called anoles, and this family ranges from the southeastern United States down to Paraguay. Most dactyloids have green or brown bodies, and many, including Anolis grahami, can change color. Other shared dactyloid traits visible in Anolis grahami include the ability to autotomize (break off) their tail when trapped, and the presence of a brightly colored dewlap (a skin flap under the neck) used for display. Different species in the genus Anolis tend to have very distinct characteristics, due to the wide range of geographic locations and environmental conditions they inhabit. Isolated in different conditions, species have developed different adaptations suited to their specific habitats to improve survival chances. For example, Anolis grahami has relatively longer limbs than terrestrial anole species, as this trait is needed for climbing and walking on tree branches. Among arboreal anole species, limb length varies based on the diameter of the branches the species uses: longer limbs are needed for wider branches, and shorter limbs for narrower branches.
Anolis grahami is highly arboreal. Across its range, it can be found in the uppermost branches of trees, and is also commonly seen on the trunks of tall trees, in shrubbery, on fence posts, on the walls of houses, and other man-made structures. Because of its arboreal habits, it can be hard to observe in its natural habitat, but it is actually usually quite common across its range. On Jamaica, this species fills a similar ecological niche to Anolis lineatopus, and the two species are often in direct competition. In areas where both species occur, Anolis lineatopus is most often found on tree trunks and lower branches (its preferred habitat), while Anolis grahami is most often found in treetops. This niche partitioning mirrors the relationship between Anolis sagrei and Anolis carolinensis in North America.
The reproductive habits of Anolis grahami are not well studied. Its breeding season is thought to run from April to September. The lizards lay their eggs in secluded spots, such as crevices in decomposing logs or holes in tree trunks. Typically, at least two small white eggs are laid.
