| Articles | Mindo | Pinnochio Anole (Anolis proboscis) | Peters & Orcés 1956 |
Spanish name: Anolis pinocho
Recognition: ♂♂ 134–171 mm, ♀♀ 149-178 mm. The male of this bizarre lizard can immediately be set apart from the other lizards in the area on the basis of its elongated rostral appendage. This diagnostic feature is not present on females, which may be identified by the presence of a dull, unicolored dewlap, and the presence of a spiny dorsal crest. Taken together, both males and females do look more robust than the rest of sympatric anoles; plus, Anolis proboscis' tail is also proportionally shorter (44% of the total lenght).
Natural history: Generally rare, though fairly common in certain locations. Anolis proboscis forages during day and high up in the vegetation (450–800 cm from ground), most often near open areas like roadsides and forest borders near pastures. It has been suggested that males defend permanent territories and even engage in aggressive interactions with other males. It is however sure that individuals sleep on horizontal twigs and leaves (though juveniles seem to prefer lower perches), and may occasionally be found lying on the ground, probably knocked down from the vegetation during heavy rains. It also has been shown to feed on millipedes, leaf-beetles and grasshoppers.
Distribution: 1200–1600 m. Endemic to the Pacific slopes in Ecuador. Here, the species is known only from the Pichincha province; though it may as well be found in northern Santo Domingo and Cotopaxi. In the parish of Mindo, the species is known from the type locality, Cunuco, and from several points along dirt roads stemming away from the town of Mindo, or in gardens of the village itself.
Conservation status: Endangered. This may be one of Ecuador's most imperiled reptile species. It was thought to be extinct for nearly fifty years, and still after its "redescovery" in 2005, it remains hard to locate. This may be a consequence of low population densities, habitat specificity (i.e. higher forest strata) or a bias in searching efforts. Truth is, Anolis proboscis inhabits severly fragmented areas in less than five localities, which collectively account for less than 500 km2.
Etymology: The generic name is thought to have originated from Cariban languages, specifically from the word anoli, wich is the name Arawak peoples may have used to refer to these lizards. The specific epithet comes from the Greek word proboskis, and is a reference to the species' elongated rostral appendage.
Almendáriz A and Vogt C (2007) Anolis proboscis (Sauria: Polychrotidae), una lagartija rara pero no extinta. Revista Politécnica, Biología 7:157–159.
Brown RW (1956) Composition of Scientific Words (Smithsonian Books, Washington) 882 pp.
Carrillo E, Aldás A, Altamirano M, Ayala F, Cisneros D, Endara A, Márquez C, Morales M, Nogales F, Salvador P, Torres ML, Valencia J, Villamarín F, Yánez M and Zárate P (2005) Lista Roja de los Reptiles del Ecuador (Fundación Novum Millenium, Quito) 46 pp.
MECN (2009) Guía de Campo de los Pequeños Vertebrados del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (Imprenta Editcar, Quito) 89 pp.
Peters JA and Orcés G (1956) A third leaf-nosed species of the lizard genus Anolis from South America. Breviora 62:1–8.
Yánez-Muñoz MH, Urgilés MA, Altamirano M and Cáceres SR (2010) Redescripción de Anolis proboscis Peters & Orcés (Reptilia: Polychrotidae), con el descubrimiento de las hembras de la especie y comentarios sobre su distribución y taxonomía. Avances 2:7–15.
Williams E (1979) South American Anoles: The species groups. Breviora 449:1–19.
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Arteaga AF (2012) Anolis proboscis. In The Amphibians and Reptiles of Mindo. Version 2012.a., eds Arteaga AF, Bustamante-Enríquez LM and Guayasamin JM. Available at: www.tropicalherping.com/articles/inventories/mindo/main.html