This is a striking variation on the Anolis lizard theme with an extended premaxilla/snout. Meet Anolis proboscis, aka the Pinocchio lizard. This trait is restricted to males and this species was thought to be extinct for several decades. Click here or on the image to learn more.
The image comes from the Luke Mahler website. Dr. Mahler is a former student of Jonathan Losos, now at Harvard, formerly of Washington University, here in St. Louis. Jonathan’s work with Anolis has shed new light on the process of evolution.
References
Poe et al. 2012. Morphology, Phylogeny, and Behavior of Anolis proboscis. Breviora Number 530 :1-11. 2012 online here and here.
Nature is so weird and so awesome at the same time! I love the fact that this is a species that was presumed for several years to be extinct, until a living specimen was found. Beautiful photo, too.