Jamaica Ameiva Pholidoscelis dorsalis
Description
The Jamaican ameiva (Pholidoscelis dorsalis) is a species of lizard found only in Jamaica.[2]
The Jamaican ameiva was described in 1838 as Ameiva dorsalis.[2] In 2016, the species was moved to Pholidoscelis based on genetic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.[3]
The Jamaican ameiva is a diurnal lizard with an omnivorous diet, including members of its species.[1] It is found in mesic to dry habitats near the sea, in gardens and vegetated duneland, associated with Coccoloba and Ipomea plant species.[1]
The Jamaican ameiva historically occurred throughout the lowlands of Jamaica and its cays in scattered subpopulations, though 7 of the 10 mainland subpopulations are considered possibly extinct.[1] It persists on at least 4 cays offshore of the mainland.[1] It is considered an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.[1]
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Jamaican ameiva", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Content may have been omitted from the original, but no content has been changed or extended.
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Teiidae
Genus: Pholidoscelis
Species: Jamaica Ameiva Pholidoscelis dorsalis
Conservation Status
data deficient (DD)