Research Results
There have been incidental field observations of the different Anolis species (genus of lizards belonging to the family Polychrotidae) displaying behaviour or utilizing microhabitats not attributed to them in current literature. Of particular note is the finding of A. pulchellus (Sharp-mouthed Lizard) higher in trees than would have previously been assumed.
The end of 2009 saw the completion of a one year baseline population study of the six species of Anolis that inhabit the forests at Las Casas de la Selva. Generally speaking, preliminary results show that as the habitats change, so too do the species of anoles that inhabit those habitats. While the baseline population study is not yet complete, all data collected to date indicates that Anolis stratulus and Anolis gundlachi are the most common anoles found at Las Casas de la Selva, comprising 40% and 26% percent of the total anole population, respectively. A. pulchellus and A. krugi, the two species known to utilize open habitats of grass and small shrubs, comprise 11% and 7% of the total anole population, respectively. A. christatellus comprised 14% of the total population. A. evermanni comprised the smallest percentage of the total population at only 2%.
Thinning studies on both Mahogany and Mahoe trees have been established and will be monitored at one to two year intervals for a minimum of five years.
A general survey of fungi at the study site began in 2010 that will be used to create material for indentifying fungi in future studies.
Nelson, Mark, Sally Silverstone, Kelly C. Reiss, Patricia Burrowes, Rafael Joglar, Molly Robertson, Thrity Vakil (2010) The Impact of Hardwood Line-Planting on Tree and Amphibian Diversity in a Secondary Subtropical Wet Forest of Southeast Puerto Rico. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 29 (5): 503 – 516