Papers by YASEL U. ALFONSO
New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard An... more New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from central Cuba. Anolis guamuhaya is known from seven localities restricted to the Guamuhaya Massif in central Cuba and is always associated with mountane ecosystems above 300 m a.s.l. Previous evaluations of the conservation status of the species based on the estimated number of mature individuals have categorized the anole as Endangered. Eight new records of A. guamuhaya are provided here. These double the number of known localities, and two represent the first records of the species in lowland areas, apart from the Guamuhaya Massif. The new records extend the elevational range of the species from 15 m to above 1000 m. We used ecological niche modeling based on all of the locality records, along with what we considered the most appropriate IUCN criteria according to the available information (Criterion B) to reevaluate the conservation status of the species. These new records of A. guamuhaya increase its area of occupancy up to a total of 60 km 2 , and its extent of occurrence up to 648 km 2. Despite this increase in geographic range, the species meets the IUCN criteria in the category of Endangered. We used ecological niche modeling to predict possible trends for the species under differing scenarios of global climate change, all of which portend a drastic reduction in area climatically suitable for A. guamuhaya.
Ectoparasite-host relationships: a case study of Anolis lizard ecomorphs on southeastern Cuba/The bizarre false-chameleons (clade Chamaeleolis, Anolis) from Cuba, 2019
Stroud, J.T., Geneva, A.J., Losos, J.B. eds. 2019. Anolis Newsletter VII. Washington University, ... more Stroud, J.T., Geneva, A.J., Losos, J.B. eds. 2019. Anolis Newsletter VII. Washington University, St. Louis MO, https://doi.org/
10.7936/gjg3-h168.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/bio_facpubs
We studied a population of E. atkinsi in eastern Cuba and describe post-reproductive variables (c... more We studied a population of E. atkinsi in eastern Cuba and describe post-reproductive variables (clutch size, eggs, embryonic development, and hatchlings) along with gonadal ultrastructure using microscopic techniques (LM and TEM). We found that most eggs had an advanced stage of embryonic development, with embryos having elongated limbs, noticeable blood vessels, nubs of digits, and in some cases expanded toe discs. In all clutches, we observed adult males or females next to the oviposition sites, suggesting biparental care during embryonic development. Snout–vent length versus oviducal eggs were highly correlated, and CT-scan images of gravid females highlight the number and disposition of the oviducal eggs below the axial skeleton and pelvic girdle. Hatchling coloration was similar to adults, but we also observed highly polymorphic color variation. We describe spermatogonia, spermatocytes I–II, spermatids, and spermatozoa. The mature sperm has an elongated head and tail with an undulating membrane, a structure used in phylogenetic reconstructions. Cross-sectional undulating membrane consists of an axoneme with an associated juxtaxonemal fiber, an axial sheath, and an axial fiber. In the ovary, oogonia are located in a peripheral germinal nest, surrounded by follicle cells. During folliculogenesis, two stages of development were observed: pre-vitellogenesis and vitellogenesis. Our results indicate that E. atkinsi displays remarkable reproductive adaptations and can be used as a model for other endemic Cuban species.
Crown-giant anole ecomorphs have evolved independently across the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispani... more Crown-giant anole ecomorphs have evolved independently across the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico), but only a few of these species have well documented life histories. Herein we report previously undocumented observations of copulation, oviposition, and hatchlings for the Green-blotched Giant Anole (Anolis smallwoodi) of southeastern Cuba. We observed eight mating events (three with A. s. smallwoodi and five with A. s. palardis) along the coastline between Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo Province during June 2010 and September 2011. One female A. s. palardis mated with two males in the same territory. Females dig a hole with their snouts, oviposit single eggs, and cover them with substrate. We monitored eight eggs incubated in slightly moist vermiculite. The minimum incubation times were 54-69 days (varying with temperature). Juveniles usually are colored like adults, bright green with white spots on the body, pale postlabial bands, and suprascapular stripes.
In lizards, conspecific communal oviposition has been observed in various families, but few studi... more In lizards, conspecific communal oviposition has been observed in various families, but few studies report interspecific communal oviposition (ICO), where individuals from two or more species deposit eggs in the same nest cavity simultaneously. In our research, conducted in summer of 2011 in semi-desertic lowlands of Cardonal town, Southeastern coast of Guantánamo province, Cuba, we found a nest of 20 lizard eggs (12 recently hatched and 8 intact) in a dead, dry agave plant. Non-hatched eggs were collected, measured and incubated at ambient conditions in a plastic box and hatched after 16 to 35 days. Hatchlings appeared to belong to three species of different genera from two families: Sphaerodactylus armasi (Gekkonidae), Tarentola crombiei (Gekkonidae) and Anolis argillaceus (Iguanidae). This work presents new information on the reproduction of these three species and constitutes the first report of ICO involving lizard species from different families.
On the first weekend of October in 2009, 125 anole biologists traveled from eight countries to Ha... more On the first weekend of October in 2009, 125 anole biologists traveled from eight countries to Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology to attend the 6th Anolis Symposium. It had been 10 years since the previous symposium, and a reunion was long past due. In 2008, as we began to consider how to proceed with such an endeavor, a fortunate thing happened: the Herpetology Department at the MCZ renovated its library and teaching space -the famous lair of the late pater anolis, Ernest Williams. The library needed a namesake, and Ernest was under strong consideration (after all, he had been instrumental in filling its shelves!). After a brief period of friendly deliberation, it was decided that the library would be dedicated to Williams, and that the occasion would be the commencement of the 6th Anolis Symposium, held at the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
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Papers by YASEL U. ALFONSO
10.7936/gjg3-h168.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/bio_facpubs
10.7936/gjg3-h168.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/bio_facpubs