Don't want to see ads? Sign up...




Ameiva chrysolaema

Ameiva chrysolaema

Lagartija Corredora Común

Family: Teiidae
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia
Phylum / Division: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia

 Request change



Filters




Description


The common ameiva (Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus) is a species of lizard endemic to Hispaniola and a number of smaller associated islands. It is known to engage in homosexual mating among males.

Taxonomy: The common ameiva was originally described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1868, as Ameiva chrysolaema. The specific epithet likely comes from the Greek , meaning gold, and , meaning neck or throat, for the yellow throat and belly of this species. In 2016, the species was moved to Pholidoscelis based on genetic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.

Subspecies: There are sixteen accepted subspecies in The Reptile Database. Given the variation among the subspecies, some authors suggest that they probably comprise more than one species.
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus chrysolaemus (Cope 1868)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus abbotti (Noble 1923)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus alacris (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus boekeri (Mertens 1939)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus defensor (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus evulsus (Schwartz 1973)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus fictus (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus jactus (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus parvoris (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus procax (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus quadrijugis (Schwartz 1968)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus regularis (Fischer 1888)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus richardthomasi (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus secessus (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus umbratilis (Schwartz & Klinikowski 1966)
  • Pholidoscelis chrysolaemus woodi (Cochran 1934)


Conservation: The common ameiva is considered a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List due to its broad distribution and adaptable nature to modified environments and impacts, such as habitat destruction and urban development. Some subpopulations, such as in Santo Domingo, appear to be in decline due to the loss of backyards and predation by cats.

Source: Wikipedia, article Ameiva chrysolaema. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 16/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


Loading map...




Species photographs

Count: 1



 Add a photography of this species






Species vocalizations

Last vocalizations published



 Add an audio of this species





Species videos

Last filmings published




 Add a film of this species





Species reports



 Detail of places sorted by number of records






Species records

Count: 1



Page 1 of 1
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
63084321/10/2017ColombiaMagdalenaParque Nacional Natural TayronaGustavo Puente
Page 1 of 1

 Add a record of this species

📖
Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Ameiva chrysolaema – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 15/09/2026.