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DOI10.47051/WBIW4516 Published July 16, 2018. Updated December 4, 2023. Open access.

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Amazon Dwarf-Iguana (Enyalioides laticeps)

Reptiles of Ecuador | Sauria | Hoplocercidae | Enyalioides laticeps

English common names: Amazon Dwarf-Iguana, Broad-headed Woodlizard, Guichenot’s Dwarf Iguana.

Spanish common names: Iguana enana amazónica, lagartija de palo cabezona.

Recognition: ♂♂ 42.4 cmMaximum distance from the snout to the tip of the tail. Snout–vent length=15.7 cm. ♀♀ 36 cmMaximum distance from the snout to the tip of the tail. Snout–vent length=13.3 cm..¹ Enyalioides laticeps is unique among dwarf iguanas in Amazonian Ecuador in having a relatively smooth tail (Fig. 1).^1–5 The species further differs from all other Enyalioides with which it co-occurs by having homogeneous dorsal and lateral scales and no conspicuous dorsolateral rows of enlarged scales.^1–5 This species co-occurs with E. cofanorum, a woodlizard characterized by its scattered, projecting, conical scales on top of dorsum and conspicuous dorsolateral crests.¹ Adult males of E. laticeps differ from females by being larger, having a taller crest, and a vivid orangish dorsal coloration (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Individuals of Enyalioides laticeps from Ecuador: Yasuní Scientific Station, Orellana province (); Yuralpa, Napo province (); Río Curaray, Pastaza province (). j=juvenile.

Natural history: Enyalioides laticeps is a locally frequent lizard that is nevertheless difficult to observe during the daytime due to its cryptic camouflage.¹ This species occurs in higher densities in pristine terra-firme rainforests but is also present in secondary forests. Broad-headed Woodlizards are active during daytime in shaded areas of the forest understory, staying immobile for prolonged periods of time on leaf-litter or on tree-trunks and logs.^1,6 They can also be seen basking in filtered sunlight.² At night, they roost on stems, twigs, palm fronds, and leaves 0.3–2.4 m above the ground.^3–6 Individuals exhibit high perch fidelity, utilizing the same roosting site for weeks.⁷ They also tend to sleep beside their den, to which they retreat upon the slightest disturbance.⁵ The den is usually a hole in the ground, but can also be a hollow log.^2,6 Their preferred predator avoidance strategy is staying still and blending against the leaf-litter or running up and around trunks. The diet in this ambush predator consists of spiders, caterpillars, beetle grubs, orthopterans, and earthworms.^3,6 There are recorded instances of predation on individuals of this species by snakes (Siphlophis compressus).⁸ The breeding season is continuous and the clutch size is 5–11 eggs.^3,6

Conservation: Least Concern Believed to be safe from extinction given current circumstances..⁹ Enyalioides laticeps is listed in this category primarily on the basis of the species’ wide distribution, presumed large population densities, and presence in protected areas. In both Ecuador and Brazil, it is estimated that 89% of the species’ occurrence area is still forested.^10,11

Distribution: Enyalioides laticeps is native to an area of approximately 741,558 km² in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (Fig. 2), and Perú.¹⁰

Figure 2: Distribution of Enyalioides laticeps in Ecuador. See Appendix 1 for a complete list of the presence localities included in the map.

Etymology: The generic name Enyalioides, which comes from the Latin words Enyalius (a genus of neotropical lizards) and the suffix oides (=similar to), refers to the similarity between lizards of the two genera. The specific epithet laticeps comes from the Latin words latus (=broad) and ceps (=head).¹²

See it in the wild: Amazon Dwarf-Iguanas are usually found in closed-canopy situations rather than in open or semi-open areas. These cryptic reptiles are easier to detect by sampling well-preserved forest trails at night with the aid of a flashlight. In this way, roosting individuals may be detected at a rate of at least one per night, particularly at Yasuní Scientific Station and Tamandúa Reserve.

Authors: Alejandro Arteaga^aAffiliation: Fundación Khamai, Reserva Arlequín, Ecoruta Paseo del Quinde km 56, Santa Rosa de Mindo, Pichincha 171202, Ecuador. and Gabriela Aguiar^bIndependent researcher, Quito, Ecuador.

Photographers: Jose Vieira^cAffiliation: Tropical Herping (TH), Quito, Ecuador.^,dAffiliation: ExSitu, Quito, Ecuador. and Sebastián Di Doménico^eAffiliation: Keeping Nature, Bogotá, Colombia.

How to cite? Arteaga A, Aguiar G (2023) Amazon Dwarf-Iguana (Enyalioides laticeps). In: Arteaga A, Bustamante L, Vieira J (Eds) Reptiles of Ecuador: Life in the middle of the world. Available from: www.reptilesofecuador.com. DOI: 10.47051/WBIW4516

Literature cited:

1. Torres-Carvajal O, Etheridge R, de Queiroz K (2011) A systematic revision of Neotropical lizards in the clade Hoplocercinae (Squamata: Iguania). Zootaxa 2752: 1–44. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2752.1.1
2. Castro Herrera F, Ayala SC (1988) Saurios de Colombia. Unpublished, Bogotá, 692 pp.
3. Duellman WE (1978) The biology of an equatorial herpetofauna in Amazonian Ecuador. Publications of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas 65: 1–352.
4. Avila-Pires TCS (1995) Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata). Zoologische Verhandelingen 299: 1–706.
5. Dixon JR, Soini P (1986) The reptiles of the upper Amazon Basin, Iquitos region, Peru. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, 154 pp.
6. Vitt LJ, De la Torre S (1996) A research guide to the lizards of Cuyabeno. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, 165 pp.
7. Field notes, Reptiles of Ecuador book.
8. Cunha OR, Nascimento FP (1993) Ofídios da Amazônia. As cobras da região leste do Pará. Papéis Avulsos Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi 40: 9–87.
9. Calderón M, Aparicio J, Avila-Pires TCS, Perez P, Moravec J (2019) Enyalioides laticeps. The IUCN Red List of threatened species. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org. DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T44578903A44578914.en
10. Ribeiro-Júnior MA, Amaral S (2016) Diversity, distribution, and conservation of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) in the Brazilian Amazonia. Neotropical Biodiversity 2: 195–421. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2016.1236769
11. MAE (2012) Línea base de deforestación del Ecuador continental. Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador, Quito, 30 pp.
12. Brown RW (1956) Composition of scientific words. Smithsonian Books, Washington D.C., 882 pp.

Appendix 1: Locality data used to create the distribution map of Enyalioides laticeps in Ecuador (Fig. 2). Go to the section on symbols and abbreviations for a list of acronyms used.

Country	Province	Locality	Source
Colombia	Amazonas	Río Caiwima	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Colombia	Caquetá	Florencia	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Colombia	Caquetá	Mouth of río Cuemani, 30 km upstream	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Colombia	Caquetá	Reserva La Avispa	Ruiz Valderrama 2023
Colombia	Putumayo	Mocoa, 10 km S of	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Colombia	Putumayo	Reserva La Cristalina	iNaturalist; photo examined
Colombia	Putumayo	Resguardo Indígena Huitora	Ruiz Valderrama 2023
Colombia	Putumayo	Río Putumayo	FMNH 165208; Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Arapicos	Maynard et al. 2016
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Cusuime	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Macuma	Maynard et al. 2016
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Sawastian	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Valle del Río Santiago	Pazmiño-Otamendi & Torres-Carvajal 2018
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Villa Ashuara	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Napo	Ahuano	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Napo	Archidona	Ávila-Pires 1995
Ecuador	Napo	Ávila	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Napo	Estación Biológica Jatun Sacha	Vigle 2008
Ecuador	Napo	Huaorani Lodge	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Napo	Río Bigai Reserve	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Napo	Tena	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Napo	Yachana Lodge	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Napo	Yachana Reserve	Whitworth & Beirne 2011
Ecuador	Napo	Yuralpa	This work; Fig. 1
Ecuador	Orellana	Añangu	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	El Coca	Ávila-Pires 1995
Ecuador	Orellana	Estación Tiputini	Cisneros-Heredia 2003
Ecuador	Orellana	Ishpingo	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Laguna	Almendáriz 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Loreto	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Miwaguno	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Orellana	Río Bigal	García et al. 2021
Ecuador	Orellana	Río Huataracu	USNM 211114; VertNet
Ecuador	Orellana	Río Tiputini	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Río Yasuní, near Lake Jatuncocha	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Orellana	San José de Payamino	Maynard et al 2016
Ecuador	Orellana	Shiripuno	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Shiripuno Lodge	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Orellana	SPF	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2019
Ecuador	Orellana	Tambococha	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Via Maxus, km 120	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Orellana	Yarina Lodge	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Orellana	Yasuni Scientific Station	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Alto Río Arajuno	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Alto Río Oglán	USNM 211146; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Arajuno	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Balsaura	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Cabeceras del Bobonaza	USNM 211133; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Canelos	MCZ 37282; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Capahuari	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Chichirota	USNM 211149; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Conambo	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Curaray Medio	This work; Fig. 1
Ecuador	Pastaza	Finca Heimatlos	Photo by Ferhat Gundogdu
Ecuador	Pastaza	Juyuintza	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Kapawi Lodge	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Pastaza	Kurintza	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Lorocachi	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Montalvo	Ávila-Pires 1995
Ecuador	Pastaza	Mouth of Río Romarizo	Ribeiro-Júnior & Amaral 2016
Ecuador	Pastaza	Nuevo Golondrina	USNM 321084; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Palanda	USNM 211140; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Palmira	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Piatúa	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Pastaza	Rí Pindo	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Río Bufeo	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Río Huiyayacu	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Río Lipuno	USNM 211131; VertNet
Ecuador	Pastaza	Río Pastaza	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Sarayacu	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Pastaza	Tamandúa Reserve	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Pastaza	Teresa Mama	Ribeiro-Júnior & Amaral 2016
Ecuador	Pastaza	UNOCAL Base Camp	Ribeiro-Júnior & Amaral 2016
Ecuador	Pastaza	Villano	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Amazon Dolphin Lodge	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Avíe	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Boca del Río Cuyabeno	USNM 211113; VertNet
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Cascales	Online multimedia
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Comunidad Zábalo	Cevallos Bustos 2010
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Destacamento Cocaya	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Dureno	Duellman 1978
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Estación PUCE en Cuyabeno	Vitt & De la Torre 1996
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	La Balsareña	iNaturalist; photo examined
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	La Selva Lodge	Online multimedia
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Lago Agrio	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Lago Agrio, 2 km W of	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Limoncocha	Ávila-Pires 1995
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Limoncocha, sendero norte	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Lumbaqui, parroquia urbana	Dueñas and Báez 2021
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Napo Wildlife Center	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Puerto Libre	Duellman 1978
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Río Aguarico	KU 122115; VertNet
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Río Cuyabeno	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Río Güeppi	Yanez-Muñoz et al. 2017
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Sacha Lodge	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	San Pablo de Kantesiya	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Sani Lodge	Reptiles of Ecuador book database
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Santa Cecilia	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Shushufindi	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2019
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Tarapoa	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Zancudococha	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Perú	Amazonas	Caterpiza	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Perú	Amazonas	Puerto Galilea	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Perú	Amazonas	Shiringa	Ribeiro-Júnior & Amaral 2016
Perú	Loreto	Barranca	Ribeiro-Júnior & Amaral 2016
Perú	Loreto	Campo Andoas	Valqui Schult 2015
Perú	Loreto	Intuto	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011
Perú	Loreto	Pongo Chinim	FMNH 2012
Perú	Loreto	Redondococha	Yánez-Muñoz & Venegas 2008
Perú	Loreto	San Jacinto	Torres-Carvajal et al. 2011

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