Anzuetoi arboreal alligator lizard

The Anzuetoi arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi), also known commonly as Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to Volcán de Agua in Guatemala.

Etymology

The specific name, anzuetoi, is in honor of Guatemalan naturalist Roderico Anzueto, who collected the holotype.

Conservation status

The estimated extent of occurrence of Abronia anzuetoi is between 17 km² and 28 km², and thus the species is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Anthropogenic impact is minimized by the fact that its native habitat has many landmines, and surrounding coffee plantations have been abandoned.

Habitat

Abronia anzuetoi is found at elevations from on Volcán de Agua, inhabiting cloud forests on the mountain.

Behaviour

Abronia anzuetoi is a diurnal tree-dwelling lizard. Dominant males exhibit territorial behaviour.

Reproduction

Abronia anzuetoi is ovoviviparous, bearing large litters of newborns over several days.

References

Further reading

• Campbell JA, Frost DR (1993). "Anguid lizards of the genus Abronia: revisionary notes, descriptions of four new species, a phylogenrtic analysis, and key". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History (216): 1–121. (Abronia anzuetoi, new species, p. 22). (in English with an abstract in Spanish).
• Köhler G (2000). Reptilien und Amphibien Mittelamerikas, Band 1: Krokodile, Schildkröten, Echsen [= Central American Reptiles and Amphibians, Volume 1: Crocodiles, Turtles, Lizards]. Offenbach, Germany: Herpeton Verlag. 158 pp. . (Abronia anzuetoi, p. 38). (in German).
• (in Spanish).