Responses of Five-Lined Skinks (Eumeces fasciatus) and Ground Skinks (Scincella lateralis) to Conspecific and Interspecific Chemical Cues

Abstract

olfactometer. In the first experiment, five-lined skinks significantly approached odors of conspecifics. Males also exhibited significantly higher snout-dip and tongue-flick rates than females. Ground skinks also responded to conspecific odors, but in a more complex fashion. Male odors were avoided by both male and female ground skinks. Males, but not females, significantly approached female odors. Females responded randomly to female odors (i.e., they were neither approached nor avoided). Although male and female ground skinks were equivalent with respect to tongue-flick rates, females exhibited greater snout-dip rates. In the second experiment skinks of both species responded randomly when presented with odors of the other species. The results demonstrate that five-lined and ground skinks utilize and respond to conspecific chemical signals, or pheromones. Potential roles of these pheromone-mediated responses in nature are discussed.