Yesterday we shared some new research with you about the effects of light at night (ALAN) on anoles, featuring new research by contributor Chris Thawley. Today, we stick with that theme of activity at night and the night-light niche.
In January (before I knew my fieldwork would be postponed indefinitely), I headed to the beautiful island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles to scout out new field sites to study the native anole lizard there, Anolis marmoratus. Like many anole species, I quickly discovered that these little guys have no problem at all with light at night when I looked up from dinner shortly after arriving to see an anole sleeping on a light switch hanging over my table!
Walking back from dinner, I was treated to a second display of lizards accustomed to light at night. Perched on the sign of one of the resort complexes I could see the little feet and head of two lizards hanging out — Hemidactylus mabouia — a nonnative gecko common in anthropogenic habitats throughout the tropical world. Although I was a little disappointed it wasn’t an anole hanging out on the sign foraging at 10pm, that disappointment didn’t last for long. The next night, the Hemidactylus were joined by the native anole, Anolis marmoratus!
Do you have a photo or video of an urban species doing something unusual? What about a rare plant or animal that you were surprised to find in a city? If so, let Lindsay know or Tweet at us and you could be featured as a future observation of the week!
- New Lit Alert: Urban environment determines population genetics in the green toad, Bufotes viridis - September 11, 2023
- Contribute to the New York Canid Project! - July 21, 2023
- Parallel Urban Adaptation from Phenotype to Genotype in Anolis Lizards - January 19, 2023
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