Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala Part 5

15 km. NW of Chinaja, 1; Toocog, 1.

These small geckos were much more abundant than the few specimens indicate. They frequently were seen on the trunks of corozo palms, where they quickly took refuge in crevices at the bases of the fronds. The specimen obtained at Toocog was under the bark of a standing dead tree.

In life the ventral surface of the tail was orange. The individual from Chinaja was in the leaf litter on the ground at the base of a dead tree.

=Thecadactylus rapicaudus= (Houttuyn)

15 km. NW of Chinaja, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 2.

Two specimens were found beneath the bark of standing dead trees; another was found in the crack in the trunk of a mahogany tree about 13 meters above the ground. In life the dorsum was yellowish tan with dark brown markings; the venter was yellowish tan with brown flecks, and the iris was olive-tan. The largest specimen is a male having a snout-vent length of 95 mm.; all specimens have regenerated tails. Individuals when caught twisted their bodies and attempted to bite; upon grabbing a finger they held on with great tenacity.

=Anolis biporcatus= (Wiegmann)

14 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1; 17 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 3; 30 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1; Sayaxche, 1.

All specimens of this large anole were obtained from trees. Some individuals were found in the tops of trees immediately after they were felled. My limited observations on this anole suggest that it is an inhabitant of the upper levels of the forest. In life an adult male from 20 kilometers north-northwest of Chinaja was brilliant green above; the eyelids were bright yellow; the belly was white. The outer part of the dewlap was pale orange, and the median part was pinkish blue. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 47 mm. and a tail length of 86 mm. was pale grayish green with pale gray flecks on the dorsum. The largest male has a snout-vent length of 98 mm. and a tail length of 217 mm.; the same measurements of the largest female are 89 and 213 mm. This species, together with all other anoles, is known locally as _toloque_.

=Anolis capito= Peters

Chinaja, 2; 14 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1; Rio de la Pasion, 1.

All individuals were observed on trunks of trees between heights of three and ten meters above the ground. The largest male has a snout-vent length of 81 mm. and a tail length of 155 mm.; the same measurements of the largest female are 87 and 150 mm. The streaked brown dorsum, combined with the lizards' habit of pressing the body against the trunks of trees, make this anole especially difficult to see.

=Anolis humilis uniformis= Cope

Chinaja, 24; 15 km. NW of Chinaja, 22; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 6; Sayaxche, 1.

This small dull brown anole is a characteristic inhabitant of the forest floor, where the lizards move about in a series of quick, short hops and thus easily evade capture. Three individuals were found on small bushes, and four were on the bases of trees; otherwise, all were observed on the ground. Observations indicate that this species is active throughout the day, except during and immediately after heavy rains. The males have a deep red dewlap with a dark blue median spot.

=Anolis lemurinus bourgeaei= Bocourt

Chinaja, 11; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 4; 30 km. NNW of Chinaja, 2; Rio de la Pasion, 1; Rio San Roman, 1; Sayaxche, 8; Toocog, 6.

This moderate-sized anole characteristically inhabits the low bushes and bases of trees in the forest. Individuals were most readily observed on the b.u.t.tresses of some of the gigantic mahogany and ceiba trees. When approached the lizards usually ran around the tree or ducked to the other side of the b.u.t.tress; if the observer moved closer, they jumped to the ground and ran off. None was observed to ascend large trees. Some individuals were observed foraging on the forest floor; these took shelter on the bases of trees. One individual was sleeping on a palm frond at night. The adult males have a uniformly orange-red dewlap.

=Anolis limifrons rodriguezi= Bocourt

15 km. NW of Chinaja, 2; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1.

In dry forests and more open situations than occur at Chinaja this little anole is abundant, but in the wet forests of southern El Peten, only three specimens were found. Two were on palm fronds about two meters above the ground; the other was on a low bush. I suspect that ecologically this species overlaps _A. humilis uniformis_ and _A.

lemurinus bourgeaei_, but too few observations are recorded to justify a definite statement at this time.

=Anolis sericeus sericeus= Hallowell

Chinaja, 2; Sayaxche, 1; Toocog, 1.

This small anole is common and widespread in the Atlantic lowlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America; usually it inhabits sub-humid regions. Consequently, its presence in the wet forests of southern El Peten was unexpected. The specimens from Chinaja were sleeping on low bushes at night, whereas the others were found on bushes by day.

=Basiliscus vittatus= Wiegmann

Chinaja, 6; Rio de la Pasion, 1; Rio San Roman, 1; Sayaxche, 3; Toocog, 1.

Individuals of this abundant species were most frequently seen in dense bushes along the margins of rivers or small streams. None was observed far from water. These lizards, like the anoles, are known locally as _toloque_.

=Corythophanes cristatus= (Merrem)

Chinaja, 3; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1.

Three individuals were found on tree trunks; the fourth was on a thick vine about one meter above the ground. The two largest males have snout-vent lengths of 121 and 115 mm. and tail lengths of 265 and 243 mm. The largest female (KU 59603), obtained on June 28, has a snout-vent length of 125 mm. and a tail length of 247 mm. This individual contained eight ova varying in greatest diameter from 10.6 to 12.2 (average 11.1) mm. Also present are numerous ovarian eggs having diameters up to about 3.5 mm.

One of the large males displayed a defensive behavior prior to capture.

When first observed the lizard was clinging to a tree trunk about one and one-half meters above the ground. When I approached, the lizard turned its flanks towards me; then it flattened the body laterally, extended the dewlap, opened its mouth, and made short rus.h.i.+ng motions.

When touched it bit viciously. On the ground these lizards have a rather awkward bipedal gait that is much slower than in _Basiliscus vittatus_.

In life an adult male (KU 55804) was reddish brown dorsally with dark chocolate brown markings; the venter was creamy white, and the iris was dark red. The natives call this lizard _piende jente_.

=Iguana iguana rhinolopha= Wiegmann

Rio San Roman, 2.

The _iguana_, as this lizard is called locally, seems to be uncommon in the forested areas of southern El Peten. Possibly this is due to the fact that the flesh of this lizard is relished as food by the natives.

My two specimens were in large trees at the edge of the river.

=Laemanctus deborrei= Boulenger

Chinaja, 1; Toocog, 5.

On June 26 a female having a snout-vent length of 129 mm. and a tail length of 502 mm. was found on a bush in the forest. The lizard, when approached, faced the collector and opened its mouth. In life the dorsum was bright green; the lateral stripe was white, and the iris was yellowish brown. This specimen contained four ova having lengths of 13.4 to 14.2 (average 13.9) mm.

On June 30 at Toocog five white-sh.e.l.led eggs were found in a rotting log. Measurements of the eggs are--length, 23.5 to 25.0 (average 24.2) mm.; width, 15.0 to 15.5 (average 15.4) mm. These eggs hatched on August 30. The five young had snout-vent lengths of 43 to 45 (average 44) mm., and tail lengths of 137 to 140 (average 138) mm. In life the hatchlings had a dull dark green dorsum, pale bright green venter and stripes on head, and reddish brown iris. In preservative the hatchlings are creamy tan above with five or six square dark brown blotches middorsally.

The natives consider this lizard to be one of the anoles; consequently, it is known as _toloque_.

=Lepidophyma flavimaculatum flavimaculatum= Dumeril

Chinaja, 8; 15 km. NW of Chinaja, 2.