Abstract
ABSTRACTHorned lizards (Phrynosoma) are specialized predators, including many species that primarily feed on seed harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex). Harvester ants have strong mandibles to husk seeds or defensively bite, and a venomous sting. Texas horned lizards possess a blood plasma factor that neutralizes harvester ant venom and produce copious mucus in the pharynx and esophagus, thus embedding and incapacitating swallowed ants. We used high-speed video recordings to investigate complexities of their lingual prey capture and handling behavior. Lizards primarily strike ants at their mesosoma (thorax plus propodeum of abdomen). They avoid the head and gaster, even if closer to the lizard, and if prey directional movement is reversed. Orientation of captured ants during retraction is with head first (rostral), thus providing initial mucus coating of the mandibles. Prey capture accuracy and precise handling illustrates the specificity of adaptations of horned lizards in avoiding harm, and the challenges lizards face when feeding on dangerous prey.
Highlights
An important aspect in the life of an animal is its choice of food and its adaptations for finding and handling food items
The aim of the present study was to further investigate lingual prey capture in horned lizards when feeding on harvester ants
We show that strikes are aimed at the dorsal mesosomal part of the body in order to subsequently turn the ant upside down, during tongue retraction, avoiding being stung or bitten by the ants prior to head-first mucous embedding during swallowing
Summary
An important aspect in the life of an animal is its choice of food and its adaptations for finding and handling food items. Dietary choices result in predator–prey interactions, where both sides evolve adaptations that increase their own fitness (Lima and Dill, 1990; Abrams, 2000; Mukherjee and Heithaus, 2013). From the predator’s point of view, these adaptations should result in getting the highest energetic gain, while spending a minimum amount of handling time on a prey item (Emlen, 1966; Pyke et al, 1977; Stephens and Krebs, 1986), and minimizing the risk in handling dangerous prey (Schmidt et al, 1989; Sherbrooke and Schwenk, 2008). Predators have evolved many strategies to avoid being harmed by dangerous prey, often manipulating them before consumption. White ibises feeding on crabs shake males fiercely, forcing them to
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