Leiocephalus personatus (Cope, 1863)

Taxonomic Identity

Leiocephalus personatus (Cope, 1863) is a sexually dimorphic lizard species.

Sexual Size Dimorphism

Males are considerably larger than females: males measure 72 mm (2.8 in) in snout–vent length, with a 122 mm (4.8 in) tail, while females have a snout-to-vent length of 54 mm (2.1 in).

Male Head Coloration

Males have red markings on the head around the lower jaw, a black face and throat that extends past the ear to the shoulder folds, and a brown crown.

Immature Male Markings

Young males often have pale spots below and in front of their ears.

Mature Male Body Markings

Older males frequently have a wide pale longitudinal stripe on the back as well as lateral stripes.

Male Underpart Markings

Their underparts, including the chin, legs, and their paler tail, are lightly spotted with black.

Female Basic Coloration

Females are much smaller, brown in color, with lighter stripes running down the flanks.

Female Patterned Markings

Females are more drab in overall coloration, with four pale longitudinal stripes, heavy black barring between the stripes, and underparts that are heavily spotted with black.

Native Distribution Range

This lizard is endemic to Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, where it occurs across multiple locations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, at altitudes up to approximately 625 m (2,000 ft).

Primary Habitat Types

It primarily inhabits damp locations, but also occurs in shaded areas of dry shrubland, including broadleaf woodland, pine forests, plantations, coastal scrub, gardens, arable land, and pasture.

Anthropogenic Habitat Use

It can also be found in urban areas, city parks, and town gardens.

Introduced Range in Florida

In 1994, this species was first recorded in Florida, where it was noted as a newly arrived exotic species likely to colonize natural areas; in Florida, it is restricted to several localities in Dade County.

Activity Pattern

Leiocephalus personatus is ground-dwelling and diurnal.

Diet Composition

It feeds mainly on insects and other small arthropods, and also consumes some plant material.

Known Predator

It is likely preyed on by the introduced invasive small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) on Hispaniola.

Anti-Predator Trait Correlation

A study of the species' anti-predator behavior found that lizards living in more open, exposed locations tend to have traits such as longer limbs and faster sprint speeds.