Samuel Garman in Dominica

Samuel Garman (1843–1927), a renowned American naturalist, was instrumental in documenting Caribbean reptiles, particularly those of Dominica. As assistant director of Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, he joined the 1878 “Blake Expeditions”, led by William Healy Dall. His most notable work in Dominica included describing the Abòlò (Dominican Ground Lizard), Ameiva fuscata, highlighting its ecological importance in coastal areas. Garman’s findings provided a crucial foundation for herpetological research in the Caribbean, reinforcing Dominica’s biodiversity.