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About the Common Names
Most of these English common names listed are
newly coined and are preliminary. Local (colloquial) names (e.g.,
"coqui" for each of the eleuths in Puerto Rico) will be mentioned separately in the field guide (and here in the future). My preference is to have a
common name that refers to a diagnostic feature of the animal or its
distribution (e.g., "Yellow-chinned Anole" instead of
"Gundlach's Anole"). Also, because of the large number of species
within a group (e.g., anoles) it is often necessary to have at least three
separate names to distinguish each species (e.g., Escambray Twig Anole,
Turquino Twig Anole, etc.). For this reason, I avoided group names longer than
one word (such as least gecko and robber frog*). In a few cases I have had to
fall back on patronyms (for the time being).
Some of the names are awkward and will likely be changed before the guide goes to print. However, I welcome suggestions to improve them from scientists familiar with the animals (the common names of Cuban reptiles were coined jointly with Orlando Garrido and Alfonso Silva-Lee and I am less likely to modify those names). Please send email to webmaster (me) with "common name suggestion" in heading. There is no guarantee that I will make a name change, although I will consider all suggestions.
*Norman Frank and Erica Ramus (1996), A
complete Guide to Scientific and Common Names of Reptiles and Amphibians of the
World; N G Publishing, Inc, Pottsville, PA).