Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Teiidae Scientific name Ameiva maynardi | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Genus Ameiva Rank Species | |
Similar Martinique giant ameiva, Ameiva cineracea, Ameiva lineolata, Ameiva plei, Ameiva atrigularis | ||
Ameiva maynardi, commonly known as the Great Inagua ameiva, Inagua ameiva, or Inagua blue-tailed lizard, is species of lizard, a member of the family Teiidae. The species is endemic to the Bahamas. Three subspecies have been described.
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Etymology
The specific name, maynardi, is in honor of American ornithologist Charles Johnson Maynard.
Description
Ameiva maynardi is considered quite small compared to other Ameiva species. Males measure an average of 72 mm (2.83 in) snout-vent length (SVL), and females average 70 mm (2.76 in) SVL.
Diet
Ameiva maynardi is mainly insectivorous, however, little is known of its natural history.
Habitat
Ameiva maynardi is often encountered in the upper beach zone. It prefers sandy and loamy areas, but is also found in rocky and sparse vegetative areas.
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Distribution
Ameiva maynardi is found only in Inagua, Bahamas. A. m. maynardi is found on the north and west coasts of Great Inagua Island. A. m. parvinaguae is found on Little Inagua. A. m. uniformis is found in the eastern and southern portions of Great Inagua Island.