Pholidoscelis erythrocephalus
—
Orange-faced Ameiva
Also known as:
Red-faced Ground Lizard
The Caribbean species formerly included in genus Ameiva were split off into Pholidoscelis in 2017.
Many of the islands of the Lesser Antilles have a single native Pholidoscelis species, patrolling the ground to keep the more arboreal anole lizards honest. The large and distinctive Pholidoscelis erythrocephala was common around the cruise dock in Basseterre, even in mostly or entirely paved areas.
Online references:
- Caribherp's list of reptiles and amphibians of each Caribbean island
- Derek B. Tucker, Stephen Blair Hedges, Guarino R. Colli, Robert Alexander Pyron, and Jack W. Sites, Jr, 2017. Genomic timetree and historical biogeography of Caribbean island ameiva lizards (Pholidoscelis: Teiidae)
Printed references:
- Schwartz, A., Henderson, R. W. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History
- Schwartz, A., Henderson, R. W. 1985. A Guide to the Identification of the Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies Exclusive of Hispaniola