Anolis carolinensis

9.9

A small lizard that lives in trees in the southeastern United States and can change color

noun
/əˈnoʊlɪs ˌkɛrəˈlɪnənsɪs/

Specialized

: Anolis carolinensis

The Anolis carolinensis can change its color from bright green to brown depending on its environment.

Examples

Biologists observed a Anolis carolinensis basking on a fence post in a suburban backyard.
Because Anolis carolinensis feeds primarily on insects, it helps control pest populations in its habitat.
Look at the Anolis carolinensis!
The Anolis carolinensis is often found basking on tree branches.
Biologists observed a Anolis carolinensis basking on a fence post in a suburban backyard.
The Anolis carolinensis can change its color from bright green to brown depending on its environment.
The Anolis carolinensis is often found basking on tree branches.

Surface Forms

Anolis carolinensis singular

Anolis carolinensises plural

Morphology

Anolis + carolinensis

The binomial combines the recognizable genus 'Anolis' (a kind of lizard) with the Latin species epithet 'carolinensis', which is not a common English word; a B1 learner who knows 'Anolis' could infer it is a lizard but would not reliably derive the specific identity or the common name 'green anole' from 'carolinensis'. The genus provides partial, transparent information while the Latinized species name is opaque to typical learners, so overall the expression is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Anolis carolinensis gets its name from two parts: Anolis, a word that may come from an old Caribbean name like 'anoli' for small lizards, and carolinensis, which means 'from Carolina'. So the name tells you this is the small green lizard, the green anole, that comes from the Carolina region.