Abstract
It has been suggested that gymnophthalmids, like most semi-fossorial lacertoids, rely more in chemical cues to communicate, in comparison to other groups, like Iguanids, on which communication is mostly based on visual signaling. We present the first description of visual signaling in the Andean lizard Pholidobolusmontium (Gymnophthalmidae) and a complete ethogram based on ex situ observations (34 different types of behaviors including positions and simple movements). Through the design of conspecific stimulus experiments, we were able to recognize leg-waving as a visual signal, as it is only displayed in presence of conspecifics or in presence of a mirror and was one of first and most frequent displays in this context. We also detected other visual displays like neck-arching and tail-undulation which may also be relevant as visual signals. Based on our results, we propose that visual signaling is also possible in semi-fossorial lizards; however, further studies regarding chemical signal recognition and color detection are required to confirm our hypothesis.
Highlights
Communication signals vary greatly across squamate reptiles and may involve acoustic, visual, and chemical components [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
It has been suggested that some groups within Squamata, like Gymnophthalmidae, rely more in chemical signaling as a form of communication, compared to other clades on which communication is mostly based on visual signaling [12,13,14,15]
We observed thirty-four behaviors performed by P. montium in captivity (Table 1)
Summary
Communication signals vary greatly across squamate reptiles and may involve acoustic, visual, and chemical components [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Epidermal glands and chemoreception ability (judged by vomerolfaction development, tongue shape, and tongue-flicking) are present in every lizard clade; it is possible that most lizards use multiple signal modalities (chemical and visual signaling, for example) to communicate [9,14,16,17,18]. Pholidobolus montium [22] is a small (SVL: male 56 mm, females 66 mm) diurnal terrestrial gymnophthalmid lizard with grey-black dorsal iridescent color patterns, pale yellow dorsolateral stripe, and a white creamish lip stripe extended towards the forelimb. This species is present in the highlands of the northern Ecuadorian and southern Colombian. We discuss the functional significance of this display relative to the context in which it occurs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
