Anoles are a diverse group of lizards, known for their adaptable nature and widespread presence in diverse environments. With over 250 known species, these small to medium-sized reptiles exhibit a remarkable array of forms and behaviors. They thrive in diverse conditions, inhabiting a range of living spaces from dense forests to human-modified landscapes.
Native Territories
The native range of anoles spans the warmer regions of the Americas, extending from the southeastern United States down to Paraguay. They are particularly abundant and diverse in the West Indies, including islands like Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. This region is their evolutionary home, with a high concentration of species, including over 60 in Cuba and more than 55 in Hispaniola. Genetic analysis suggests some anole species, like the green anole (Anolis carolinensis), originated from oceanic dispersal events from the Caribbean to North America.
Preferred Environments
Within their native territories, anoles occupy a variety of specific environments and microhabitats. Many species are primarily arboreal, living in trees and shrubs. Their perch height can vary, with some species preferring the upper canopy, others inhabiting tree trunks, and some even spending time on the ground or in low vegetation. For instance, “trunk-crown” specialists are found high in trees, while “trunk-ground” specialists perch on lower trunks or the ground. Anoles demonstrate adaptability to diverse vegetation types, including moist forests, brushy clearings, and even human-altered areas like urban gardens.
Their physical characteristics, such as specialized toe pads and claws, enable them to climb efficiently on various surfaces, from smooth leaves to tree bark. This allows them to exploit different niches within their preferred environments. For example, some anoles have longer limbs for sprinting on broad surfaces, while others possess shorter legs for nimbleness on narrow perches. This specialization means different anole species often partition their habitats, selecting specific perch heights, diameters, and levels of sunlight and humidity.
Anoles in New Landscapes
Beyond their native territories, some anole species have successfully established populations in new landscapes, often due to human activities. The brown anole (Anolis sagrei) is a notable example, native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and parts of Central America, but now widely introduced. It arrived in Florida via cargo shipments and has since spread throughout the southeastern United States, as well as Hawaii and other Caribbean islands.
These introduced brown anoles thrive in their new environments, often adapting to urban and disturbed areas. They can reach high population densities and rapidly expand their range. The presence of brown anoles can impact native species, such as the green anole (Anolis carolinensis), by competing for food and territory. When brown anoles are introduced, native green anoles often shift their habitat use to higher perches in trees to reduce direct competition. This behavioral change can lead to adaptations in native species, such as larger toe pads for gripping narrower branches at higher elevations.