Abstract
While the conspicuous visual displays of anoles have been studied in great depth, the possibility that these lizards may also interact through chemical signalling has received hardly any consideration. In this study, we observed the behaviour of male brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) when introduced into an environment previously inhabited by female conspecifics, and compared it to when they were introduced into an untreated environment. The males in our tests exhibited significantly more elaborate display behaviour (i.e., greater number of dewlap extensions and head-nods) and a significantly greater number of tongue extrusions while in the cage formerly occupied by females than when placed in the untreated, control cage. The absolute numbers of tongue extrusions, however, were relatively low in comparison to average tongue-flick rates of ‘true’ chemically-oriented lizards. Our results strongly suggest that the males were capable of detecting chemical cues left behind by the females. These observations provide the first evidence of intersexual chemo-sensation in an anole lizard.
Highlights
The sensory modalities through which animals perceive the world vary greatly among taxa
Male Anolis sagrei lizards exhibited more display and exploratory behaviour when introduced into a novel environment previously inhabited by female conspecifics, than when placed in a novel, untreated cage
Our results strongly suggest that the males were capable of picking up chemical cues left by the females
Summary
The sensory modalities through which animals perceive the world vary greatly among taxa. For instance, the ‘Iguania’ (Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae and Iguanidae s.l.) are often regarded as ‘visually-oriented,’ while the ‘Scleroglossa’ (all other families) are dubbed ‘chemically-oriented’ (Schwenk, 1993; Schwenk, 1994; Vidal & Hedges, 2009). It has long been thought that the ‘visually-oriented’ Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae and Iguanidae have poor chemosensory abilities (Pratt, 1948; Evans, 1961; Alberts, Pratt & Phillips, 1992) This conviction accords well with the conventional view of squamate phylogenetic history, in which the tongue played a key role. It is said that the Iguania retained the putative ancestral conditions of lingual prey prehension, visual hunting, and a rudimentary vomeronasal chemosensory system (Vidal & Hedges, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
