Activity Patterns of the Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

Marcellini, Dale L.

doi:10.2307/1442631

Cited by 16 publications

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“…The reliability of these results is uncertain as recordings in artificial conditions may produce unnatural behaviour (Marcellini 1971). It is unlikely, however, that the cycles of every specimen tested would be completely reversed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ecological comparison of two Cyclodina skinks (Reptilia: Lacertilia) in Auckland, New Zealand

Porter¹

1987

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

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The endemic New Zealand skinks,Cyclodina aenea and C. ornata, were examined in the field and laboratory to determine factors that influence their distribution patterns. These lizards share similar population dynamics, reproduction, activity patterns, and habitat selection. Differences were observed in morphology, ethology and, to a certain extent, diet. It is likely that the distribution patterns are controlled by a complex of interrelated factors. Human pressures are probably the most important; directly by habitat destruction or transformation, and indirectly by the introduction of mammalian predators. A model is proposed to help explain current distribution patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ecological comparison of two Cyclodina skinks (Reptilia: Lacertilia) in Auckland, New Zealand

Porter¹

1987

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

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“…Over the last 30 years H. frenatus have undergone a rapid increase in density and distribution in Australia and is now present in most urbanised locations along the north and eastern coastline, spanning latitudes of 12 to 32°S ( Fig. 1.2) (Marcellini, 1971;Frenkel, 2006;Hoskin, 2011). Introduction of H. frenatus to Australia has most likely included (an probably continues to include) multiple independent introductions to major ports via cargo containers and shipments from South-East Asia (Hoskin, 2011).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1.3). Geographically dispersed populations of H. frenatus are known to vary in reproductive related behaviours and levels of activity due to spatial and temporal variation in environmental temperatures (Marcellini, 1976;Frenkel, 2006). One prominent difference between populations is the variation in seasonal reproductive patterns based on latitudinal distribution (Church, 1962;Cheng and Lin, 1977;Lin and Cheng, 1984;Ota, 1994).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Male territoriality also varies across the latitudinal distribution of this species. Vocalisation, dominance and aggressive behaviours have been found to increase with increasing temperature and the overall density of a population (Marcellini, 1971(Marcellini, , 1974Frenkel, 2006). This geographic variation in intensity of territoriality is suggested to lead to differing degrees of sexual selection for larger body size and head size in males (Cooper and Vitt, 1989;Herrel et al, 1999b;Herrel, 2001;Lappin et al, 2006).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hemidactylus frenatus is one of the world's most latitudinal dispersed gecko species, inhabiting urbanised tropical, sub-tropical and even temperate localities (Wilson and Swan, 2008) (Marcellini, 1971;Frenkel, 2006;Hoskin, 2011). Geographically dispersed populations of H. frenatus vary in levels of activity and reproductive behaviours because of spatial and temporal variation in temperature over their distribution (Marcellini, 1976;Frenkel, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sex-specific variation in morphology and performance in the Asian house gecko

Cameron¹

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Ever since Darwin's theory of sexual selection was first published, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms that lead to sex-specific traits and quantifying patterns therein has been a large focus of evolutionary ecologists. Sexual variation in phenotypes in form and function is ubiquitous in nature, and its extent varies widely, within closely related groups and even species. Understanding patterns and the circumstances under which sexually divergent phenotypes evolve requires an understanding of both the proximate and evolutionary mechanisms involved. While studies have primarily focused on sex-specific morphological traits such as size and secondary trait dimorphism, less attention has been given to the functional differences between the sexes. From an evolutionary perspective, sexspecific traits result from many factors that act differentially on each sex, modifying phenotypic and behavioural components that influence the capacity of fulfilling reproductive roles. Therefore, sexual selection alone does not define the magnitude of phenotypic divergence between the sexes, but it is rather the interplay between sexual and natural selection and their interactions with the environment. Intraspecific studies investigating associations between form and function of sexspecific traits provide a useful tool to understand the fundamental mechanisms that lead to the evolution of complex traits in males and females. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that drive patterns in sex-specific phenotypes, using a territorial gecko species (Hemidactylus frenatus) distributed over a large latitudinal cline.The first aim of this thesis was to examine the potential trade-offs between performance functions associated with reproductive success and to test whether compensatory mechanisms may obscure the detection of such costs (Chapter 2). Fighting capacity and escape performance of male H. frenatus are likely to pose conflicting demands on the optimum phenotype for each task. Highly territorial and aggressive males may require greater investment in head size/strength but such an enhancement may reduce overall escape performance. To test this idea, the second aim (also in Chapter 2) was to determine the role of morphological and functional traits in determining the outcome of male-male combat (reproductive success) and prey-capture ability (survivorship).Among male geckos, I found that larger head size resulted in greater biting capacity, but at a cost of reduced spring performance. Females, however, showed no evidence of this trade-off. The sex specificity of this trade-off suggests that the sexes differ in their optimal strategies for dealing with the conflicting requirements of bite force and sprint speed. Unlike males, female H. frenatus had a positive association between hind-limb length and head size, suggesting that they have utilised a compensatory mechanism to alleviate the possible locomotor costs of larger head sizes. It appears that there is greater sel...

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Sex-specific thermal sensitivities of performance and activity in the asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus

2018

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Studies of sexual selection primarily focus on morphological traits such as body size and secondary trait dimorphism, with less attention been given to the functional differences between the sexes and even more so their thermal performance capacities. Each sex may benefit from possessing different thermal performance capacities that would allow them to maximise their fitness relative to their different reproductive roles; especially when performances are closely related to reproductive success. Here, we examine sexual divergence in thermal sensitivities of performance across three populations of the Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) over an extensive latitudinal cline. Using analyses of the thermal sensitivity of routine activity, bite force and sprint speed, we explored whether: (i) males and females differed in their optimal temperatures for performance, (ii) the sexes differed in their thermal sensitivities of performance, and (iii) the degree of sexual divergence in thermal sensitivity varied among the populations. Because male H. frenatus are highly aggressive and frequently engage in combat to gain territories and mating opportunities, we expected males would be active over a wider range of temperatures than females and this would favour broad thermal sensitivity curves for males. In addition, we expected a greater divergence between the sexes in thermal sensitivities for the temperate populations that experience greater daily and seasonal thermal variation. We found that males were more active, and had greater bite forces and faster sprint speeds than females, independent of body size. In addition, we found differences between the sexes in thermal sensitivities for the tropical population; female H. frenatus were less active and possessed lower sprint speeds at higher temperatures than males. Although H. frenatus from the most variable thermal environments also displayed the broadest thermal performance range, it was the more stable tropical population that exhibited the greatest divergence between the sexes in thermal sensitivity of performance. The divergence in thermal physiology that we detected between the sexes of H. frenatus is consistent with the idea that males will derive mating and territorial advantages for maintaining function over a broader range of temperatures.

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Activity Patterns of the Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

An ecological comparison of two Cyclodina skinks (Reptilia: Lacertilia) in Auckland, New Zealand

An ecological comparison of two Cyclodina skinks (Reptilia: Lacertilia) in Auckland, New Zealand

Sex-specific variation in morphology and performance in the Asian house gecko

Sex-specific thermal sensitivities of performance and activity in the asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus

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