some distance from the track. Lastly, there’s the
Virgin Island Tree Boa (Epicrates monensis granti).
These nocturnal constrictors, with a brownish base
colouration and blotchy dark spots, meld well with
their surroundings as they hunt for sleeping lizards.
During the day, they curl up in termite nests, or
amongst rocks or other refuges. Under favourable
conditions, small islands can support high densities
of this species, however, introduced mammalian
predators have had a profound impact upon the
boas. A captive breeding program was instigated in
1985, and since then Virgin Island Tree Boas have
been successfully reintroduced on two islands.
4.
The three of us meandered along the nicely-
maintained boardwalk, bordered on the one side by
brackish estuarine marshland and bushes. “Beware
of the Jack Spaniards,” Renata warned. “They’re
hornets that have a very nasty sting which will swell
up for a week.”
Almost instantly, we notice Brown-throated
Parakeets (Eupsittula pertinax), roosting on the
branches of the Sea Grape, a coastal tree, and
feasting on its edible purple fruit. The decimated red
mangroves, strangely twisted and gnarled, close in
on the walkway.
“Look, there’s a Crested Anole!” Renata directs our
attention to a rather nondescript, light-grey lizard.
“It’s a male,” she concludes, pointing to the ridge
along its spine.
There are two subspecies of Crested Anole; Anolis
cristatellus cristatellus is originally from Puerto Rico
and neighbouring islets, while A. c. wileyae hails
from the islands to the east of Puerto Rico, including
the US and British Virgin Islands. The species has
also been introduced to Mexico, Costa Rica,
Dominica and Florida, and is common in the pet
trade. Overall colour varies from rusty-red to black
and light grey. Sometimes Crested Anoles are
mistakenly referred to as chameleons because of a
limited ability to change colour according to their
mood or temperature. Males will aggressively defend
‘the anoles of the Caribbean have
adopted similar forms independently
upon many different islands.’
their territories, and can resort to caudal autotomy to Edward Willliams to coin the term ‘ecomorph’ in
evade predators.
1972, to describe groups of anole species that
appear to be similar in general morphology and
Through repeated instances of convergent evolution behaviour, and that occupy an identical niche
based upon similar niche habitats, the anoles of the habitat, but that may not be closely related. Six
Caribbean have adopted similar forms independently Anolis ecomorphs have been identified based upon
upon many different islands. This prompted Ernest
microhabitat, and the concept has also been