Borderless Lizards: Unveiling Overlooked Records and the Runaway Invasion of Anolis sagrei in Ecuador

Based on bibliographic records and data from GBIF and iNaturalist, we evaluated the global distribution of Anolis sagrei . This lizard, native to Cuba and the Bahamas, has now spread across mainland America, particularly in the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of the United States. It has also been introduced in Asia, and, according to some iNaturalist observations not covered in previous literature, it has been observed in Israel, Canada, and northern South America. The species is especially abundant in the Caribbean and southeastern United States, with high concentrations of records in these regions and parts of Mexico, indicating significant range expansion. In Ecuador, A. sagrei has been recorded both along the coast and in the Amazon, with notable occurrences in Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Francisco de Orellana, and, for the first time, in Zamora Chinchipe (southern Amazon), specifically in El Pangui. The capture of 10 individuals in this area (deposited at the Zoology Museum of Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja) confirmed typical A. sagrei morphology, with a scale pattern similar to populations in Honduras and Cuba but showing variations in scalation and body measurements. In Ecuador, the number of lamellae on the fourth toe ranges from 29-33, consistent with individuals from Honduras and Cuba but differing from those in Taiwan. Additionally, dorsal and ventral scale counts within the 5 mm range show variations (dorsal: 11-22 and ventral: 10-25), suggesting environmental adaptations or natural variability. Climate change favors its spread, enabling the colonization of new habitats through increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. As an invasive species, A. sagrei impacts local biodiversity by competing with native species and disrupting ecological balance. This study underscores the need for monitoring and control programs in Ecuador, particularly in the Amazon, to protect native biodiversity.