dwarf dwarf dwarf species smallest terrestrial found spelled island discovered suspected close relative dwarf nearby island puerto_rico shares range big scaled found leaf litter unlike larger virgin islands dwarf lives drier prefers moist found rocks lacks adaptations necessary preventing water loss significant problem small body size dwarf deep brown colour upper darker scales average measures snout vent nearly small weighs stripes bars lighter eyes neck help distinguish differences males females females slightly larger size tail broken little known population size biology taxonomy dwarf referred dwarf discovered summer biologist collecting trip dry wooded slopes adult female collected august pond bay total collected describe new species classified species dwarf dwarf genus characterised small body size distinctive scale pattern head scales small having central ridge upper dorsal generally uniform dark dorsal lack scales mid dorsal area lack patterns shoulders region region despite striking differences appearance closely related like smallest endemic puerto_rico small geographic range species divides closely related populations suggesting evolved diverged description dwarf smallest known includes species reptiles birds mammals average body size measured snout vent length maximum body mass ranging low averaging known smaller closely related measures weighs maximum typically species deep brown dorsal legs scattering fine pattern darker scales species transverse bar line coloured scales eyes base snout hard individuals directly eyes narrow dark edged yellow brown stripe crosses temple fades near base head region head eyes oval shaped dark edged yellow brown bar stretches head connects stripes dark brown scales dorsal cross ventral underside fade scales retain dark edges ventral light grey cream tail yellowish brown occasional clusters short lines darker scales throat pattern faint bold lines light scales running sexual species differ colour females larger males females averaging males snout moderate length blunt tail broken dorsal scales generally small acute flattened throat pectoral chest scales scales found head anterior neck scales middle neck acute flattened middle size reduction scales scales dorsal tail scales acute flattened underside tail scales smooth rounded enlarged centre tail mid ventral scales rounded smooth smooth outer edge scales ventral caudal head scales smooth enlarged mid count dorsal scales groin averages range ventral count groin line averages scales ranges scales average approximately range usually scales usually scales upper lip eye upper fourth toe right foot usually plate like scales provide traction scales region relatively small slightly extend varying scales length scales width comparisons related species puerto_rico larger dwarf measuring snout vent differs size dorsal scales reflected scale count comparisons dorsal scales groin scales compared ventral scales groin range typically scale versus commonly seen larger male average terms species similar usually crescent shaped pattern head touches stripes instead oval shaped pattern reach stripes stripes run length body tail instead ending neck stripes converge dark edged shaped pattern pelvic region majority pattern shoulder region consisting small pale dots encompassed small regions black big scaled significantly larger dwarf measuring snout vent larger scales according thomas pattern dark lateral stripes dorsal spotting tan light brown ground color black edged pair spots females nearly uniform yellow brown body color weak absent pattern contrasting head pattern black irregular lines grey ground color yellow orange heads male distribution habitat originally found island reported range estimated encompass entire original expedition thomas find specimens smaller islands distribution considered unusual despite separated closest relative puerto_rico species geographic range includes islands diverged virgin islands dwarf appears favour dry forests mixed rocky found sea level beach litter piles rotting palm debris zone like abundant larger big scaled shares range unlike big scaled leaf litter found hiding rocks considered moist dry ecological niche ecology behaviour dwarf little known ecology behaviour virgin islands dwarf high surface area volume ratio results size species thought susceptible water loss studied understand survives semi arid habitat unlike desert dwelling virgin islands dwarf lacks special adaptations prevent loses water rate similar habitats size differences loses water faster larger big scaled survives instead inhabiting humid dry environment adjusting reproductive cycle emerge time year highest precipitation reducing activity parts day conservation little data gathered assess population size trend dwarf reported moderately common difficult find size ability blend surroundings distribution limited development affect early dwarf gained international attention sir announced plans introduce endangered madagascar captive breeding project conservation purposes general public quickly voiced concerns impact native species island particular people feared local population dwarf referred world aggressive behaviour researchers instead focused concerns ability thrive introduce leader environmental impact assessment agreed caution needed introduction plans introduce announced virgin islands dwarf stated concerns eat plant material rarely eat ultimately backed stating enclosed whilst experts conduct surveys particularly dwarf studies indicate real risk enclosed
Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero