Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Teiidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Genus Ameiva | |
Similar Ameiva exsul, Martinique giant ameiva, Ameiva cineracea, Ameiva lineolata, Ameiva plei | ||
Ameiva wetmorei (blue-tailed ground lizard) is a species of lizard in the whiptail family. It is endemic to Puerto Rico.
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Distribution
Ameiva wetmorei occurs in the southwestern dry coastal forests and adjacent islets including Caja de Muertos and Isla Magueyes. It can be distinguished from the Puerto Rican ground lizard (Ameiva exsul) found throughout the Puerto Rican Bank by its much smaller size. It is more abundant and outcompetes Ameiva exsul in the dry forest where their ranges overlap. Juvenile Puerto Rican ground lizards have a similar bright blue tail that is lost with age; the blue tail remains in both adult and juvenile blue-tailed ground lizards.
Description
The blue-tailed ground lizard is a moderately sized lizard, with a maximum body length of 52.4 mm (SVL) for males and 49.9 mm (SVL) in females. It is black overall with a creamy white to coppery red stomach. There are 7–9 tan or brown stripes extending from the head to the tail. The tail is one of the most distinctive traits of A. wetmorei. It is a bright turquoise blue or green, the color fully encircling the tail.
Biology
The blue-tailed ground lizard is xerophilic and diurnal. It is commonly found under rocks and logs, being most active during the heat of the day. The female can carry up to three eggs, and lay at least two clutches of one egg each per year. Ground lizards forage for insects and small fruits.
Threats
The principal threats to the blue-tailed ground lizard are predation and habitat loss. The animal only occurs across the dry forests of southwestern Puerto Rico; accordingly, this habitat specialist requires very hot and dry climates to metabolize food and remain active throughout the day. Introduced mammals including small cats and mongooses affect this animal's populations.