Display Analysis of the Signature Display of Anolis Limifrons (Sauria: Iguanidae)

Abstract

[Analysis of 316 filmed type A (signature) displays from 22 male Anolis limifrons showed that some display aspects were quite stereotyped, while other features demonstrated significant intraindividual variability. 1) Dewlap extension accompanied a basic seven head bob signature display; the head bobbing pattern incorporated a one long-three short-one long cadence which was a strongly stereotyped characteristic of the signature display. 2) Range of mean display durations for the sampled lizards' basic display (first seven head bobs) was relatively narrow, being 2.08 sec for the fastest performer and 3.20 see for the slowest; the population mean and its standard error was 2.73 ± 0.03 sec with a coefficient of variability (standard deviation/mean X 100) of 19.5%. 3) The display duration, however, showed much intraindividual variability; of the partitioned temporal variance, 64% was attributed to the within lizard component and 36% was contributed by the between lizards component. 4) Lizards performed displays in succession, usually in volleys of three displays at a time. 5) Positional effect (whether an A display was performed singly or first, second, or third in a volley) was correlated with intraindividual variability of display duration (initial displays were shortest), total number of head bobs in a display (initial displays had more bobs), and appearance of certain optional introductory movements (initial displays more frequently incorporated introductory movements). 6) Increasing number of display head bobs in the A display was also correlated with appearance of optional modifiers., Analysis of 316 filmed type A (signature) displays from 22 male Anolis limifrons showed that some display aspects were quite stereotyped, while other features demonstrated significant intraindividual variability. 1) Dewlap extension accompanied a basic seven head bob signature display; the head bobbing pattern incorporated a one long-three short-one long cadence which was a strongly stereotyped characteristic of the signature display. 2) Range of mean display durations for the sampled lizards' basic display (first seven head bobs) was relatively narrow, being 2.08 sec for the fastest performer and 3.20 see for the slowest; the population mean and its standard error was 2.73 ± 0.03 sec with a coefficient of variability (standard deviation/mean X 100) of 19.5%. 3) The display duration, however, showed much intraindividual variability; of the partitioned temporal variance, 64% was attributed to the within lizard component and 36% was contributed by the between lizards component. 4) Lizards performed displays in succession, usually in volleys of three displays at a time. 5) Positional effect (whether an A display was performed singly or first, second, or third in a volley) was correlated with intraindividual variability of display duration (initial displays were shortest), total number of head bobs in a display (initial displays had more bobs), and appearance of certain optional introductory movements (initial displays more frequently incorporated introductory movements). 6) Increasing number of display head bobs in the A display was also correlated with appearance of optional modifiers.]