 An attempt of dividing this huge genus was already made in 1959–1960, when they were placed in two major groups, the so-called "alpha anoles" (comprising most anole subgroups) and "beta anoles" (equalling today's "Norops").In the following decades other changes were recommended.This included a proposal to recognize four genera, "Anolis", "Chamaeleolis", "Chamaelinorops" and "Phenacosaurus", in 1976.