Cnemidophorus arubensis
male
female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Teiidae
Genus: Cnemidophorus
Species:
C. arubensis
Binomial name
Cnemidophorus arubensis

Cnemidophorus arubensis, commonly known as the Aruba whiptail or cododo, is a species of whiptail lizard in the genus Cnemidophorus. The female and young lizards are known as Lagadishi (English: Lizard), while the mature males are called Blóbló (English: Blue-blue).[1] This lizard species is endemic to the island of Aruba[2] and is recognized as the most common and abundant species of lizard on the island.[3]

Identification

Female lizards and the young are varying shades of brown. Mature females display longitudinal bands on the upper part of their bodies, extending from the head to the tail. In addition, they exhibit blue eyespots on their sides and the hind limbs.[4] C. arubensis typically grow to a length of approximately 15 centimetres (5.9 in)[5]

Whiptails (Teiidae) possess femoral pores, although they are larger in males compared to females. Additionally, males have pre-anal pores.[6]

Diet

One of the notable adaptations observed within the Teiidae family of lizards is the transition to herbivorous diets in various endemic island species. This shift is particular evident in the C. arubensis and C. murinus.[7]

The diet of Aruba whiptails encompasses both insects and predominantly plant material such as flowers, nectar, leaves and fruits.[6] However, they exhibit selectivity in their plant consumption due to the presence of toxins in many available plant species, particularly those containing relatively high quantities phenols, saponin, and alkaloids (such as quinine).[8] Consequently, these lizards actively avoid such plants.[7]

It has been observed that coprophagy, the consumption of feces, occurs in C. arubensis.[9] The colon is larger than in other species of whiptails and is clearly adapted to a herbivorous diet. In a natural, undisturbed habitat, approximately 80% of the stomach contents consists of plant materials, while around 15% consists of insects and other anthropods. The remaining 5% consists materials such as feces, small stones and twigs.[6]

They play a significant role in the dispersal of seeds for certain plant species. This is achieved by their consumption of fruits, followed by the excretion of the seeds in diverse locations, aiding in seed dispersal and contributing to the plant's reproductive cycle.

Aruba whiptail consuming nectar from a yellow flower of an Opuntia caracassana.[10]
Aruba whiptail consuming split open coconuts

Behavioral pattern

Reproductive behavior

In most Cnemidophorus lizards, the colors of dominant males tend to become somewhat more vibrant during the mating season. However, C. arubensis exhibits a distinct difference in this regard. During the mating season, which occurs from September to October, mature male C. arubensis lizards undergo a transformation. They become intensely blue, and this light-blue color covers a significant portion of the body.[11]

Copulation between female and male Aruban whiptails

All teiines are oviparous, and clutch size is associated with lizard body size. While Cnemidophorus has clutches ranging from two to six eggs, C. arubensis, produces a single egg, albeit a large one.[12][13]

Front paw signaling

Frequent signaling with the front paw is a notable behavior in C. arubensis and can also be observed in C. lemniscatus lemniscatus. In C. murinus murinus and C. murinus ruthveni, this behavior appears to be somewhat less frequent.[11]

Tongue flicks

Both C. arubensis and C. murinus display an increased likelihood of tongue-flicking (briefly extruding the tip of their bifurcated tongue for approximately 100 milliseconds) in the presence of quinine compared to its absence. The lizards appear to detect quinine even before closely approaching the bait.[14][15]

Sources

  • Buurt, G. van (2005). Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Edition Chimaira. ISBN 9783930612666. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  • Cooper Jr., William E.; Pérez-Mellado, Valentín; Vitt, L.J.; Budzinsky, Brandy (2002). "Behavioral responses to plant toxins by two omnivorous lizard species". Physiology & Behavior. 76 (2): 297–303. doi:10.1016/S0031-9384(02)00715-1.
  • King, G.M. (1996). Reptiles and Herbivory. Springer Netherlands. ISBN 9780412461101.
  • Notes from the Leyden Museum. Netherlands: Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie te Leiden. 1887. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  • Pianka, E.R.; Vitt, L.J. (2003). Lizards:Windows to the evolution of diversity. United Kingdom: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520248472. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  • Schall, Joseph J. (1974). "Population Structure of the Aruban Whiptail Lizard, Cnemidophorus arubensis, in Varied Habitats". Herpetologica. 30 (1): 38–44.
  • Schall, Joseph J. (1990). "Aversion of Whiptail Lizards (Cnemidophorus) to a Model Alkaloid". Herpetologica. 46 (1): 34–39.
  • Vitt, L.J.; Zug, G.R.; Caldwell, J.P. (2001). Herpetology:An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. Elsevier. ISBN 9780080549408.

References

  1. ↑ Biblioteca Nacional Aruba (2018). Lagadishi, Blauw-blauw, Pega pega, Toteki - Informatie voor Spreekbeurten.
  2. ↑ Cnemidophorus arubensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 March 2014.
  3. ↑ Schall 1974.
  4. ↑ Notes from Leyden Museum 1887, pp. 132–133.
  5. ↑ "Cododo (fact sheet)" (PDF). Aruba National Park. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  6. 1 2 3 Buurt 2005, p. 84.
  7. 1 2 Pianka & Vitt 2003, p. 48.
  8. ↑ Pianka & Vitt 2003, p. 201.
  9. ↑ King 1996, p. 37.
  10. ↑ Jorge (2021-04-14). "aruba Cactus Opuntia Cactus". Aruba Nature Adventure & Private Eco Tours Aruba. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  11. 1 2 Buurt 2005, p. 91.
  12. ↑ Vitt, Zug & Caldwell 2001, p. 490.
  13. ↑ King 1996, p. 44.
  14. ↑ Schall 1990.
  15. ↑ Cooper Jr. et al. 2002, p. 298.
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