Avoidance Learning by the Curly-Tailed Lizard, Leiocephalus schreibersi: Implications for Anti-Predator Behavior

Marcellini, Dale L.; Jenssen, Thomas A.

doi:10.2307/1564662

Cited by 41 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Lizards from the two populations showed similar distances to the nearest potential refuge, but lizards from the low elevation population were more wary than the high elevation ones. Presumably, lizards could learn to be wary after being attacked by a predator (Marcellini and Jensen, 1991). Since diversity of escape behaviour seems to be low at both sites, these results fit the previous findings of Schall and Pianka (1980).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Influence of predation pressure on the escape behaviour of Podarcis muralis lizards

Diego-Rasilla¹

2003

Behavioural Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Influence of predation pressure on the escape behaviour of Podarcis muralis lizards

Diego-Rasilla¹

2003

Behavioural Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…An important aspect of the anole-Leiocephalus predator-prey interaction is that curly-tailed lizards, like anoles, are visually oriented animals (45,46,65). Although the properties of motion detection in Leiocephalus have not been measured explicitly, increasing the distance between a moving object and the eye of a receiver reduces the apparent size of the movement until at some point, it no longer is detectable (66).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation-associated modulation of movement-based signals by a Bahamian lizard

Steinberg

Losos

Schoener

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Signaling individuals must effectively capture and hold the attention of intended conspecific receivers while limiting eavesdropping by potential predators. A possible mechanism for achieving this balance is for individuals to modulate the physical properties of their signals or to alter the proportion of time spent signaling, depending upon local levels of predation pressure. We test the hypothesis that prey can alter their visual signaling behavior to decrease conspicuousness and potentially limit predation risk via modulation of signal properties or display rate. To do so, we conducted a manipulative experiment in nature to evaluate the possible effect of predation pressure on the physical properties of movementbased signals and on the proportion of time spent signaling by using a well-understood predator-prey system in the Bahamas, the semiarboreal lizard Anolis sagrei, and one of its main predators, the curly-tailed lizard Leiocephalus carinatus. We find that on islands onto which the predator was introduced, male anoles reduce the maximum amplitude of head-bob displays but not the proportion of time spent signaling, in comparison with control islands lacking the predator. This reduction of amplitude also decreases signal active space, which might alter the reproductive success of signaling individuals. We suggest that future studies of predatorprey interactions consider the risk effects generated by changes in signals or signaling behavior to fully determine the influence of predation pressure on the dynamics of prey populations.T he process of communication is central to many aspects of social interaction, from attracting mates to establishing territories. The major prerequisite for communication is that an individual or its signal must effectively capture and hold the attention of intended receivers (1, 2). However, communication rarely occurs in a context free from the risk of predation, and thus the presence of predators is an important selective pressure on the physical designs of signals and the behaviors associated with their display (e.g., refs. 3-9). In fact, predation pressure typically results in signals with reduced conspicuousness (i.e., the likelihood of being seen by a predator) at one or both of two timescales: (i) across generations (i.e., via evolutionary mechanisms) or (ii) within the lifetime of an individual (i.e., via behavioral mechanisms). The evolution of less conspicuous signal properties in response to predation pressure has been demonstrated across signaling modalities, including acoustic, electrical, visual, and ultrasonic signals (e.g., refs. 9, 10). Predation pressure also shapes the evolution of the behaviors associated with the production of signals, often resulting in a shift in the amount of time spent signaling throughout the day or in the use of less vulnerable display sites (11-16).Behavioral changes favoring a reduction in the likelihood of communication-associated predation typically precede evolutionary changes (12). This process most likely is driven by the plastic...

show abstract

“…Selection favours animals that learn quickly to avoid predators (Marcelini and Jenssen, 1991). No change in approach distance, flight distance, or other recorded anti-predation behaviour was observed in subjects that were approached a third time.…”

Section: Imposing and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Anti-predation behaviour of Dickerson's collared lizard, Crotaphytus dickersonae

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Males of Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae) are conspicuously bright blue in colour and can be detected at great distances. In contrast, females are brown and much less conspicuous. Given the visibility of males to predators, the question arises how they avoid predation and whether the sexes differ in anti-predator behaviour. Using a slowly approaching human as a simulated predator, approach and flight distances were recorded, as were the presence of other antipredation responses such as pursuit deterrence signalling, distraction behaviour and aggressive threat. The lizards were captured and physical data such as cloacal temperatures, weight and snout-vent length were obtained. To assess further the effect of coloration on predation pressure, test subjects were painted to make them inconspicuous (brown) or conspicuous (blue) and recaptured after a week. After shedding their painted skin, subjects were approached one final time. Few direct relationships were found between anti-predation displays and body weight, size or temperature. Exhibition of pursuit deterrence signalling or distraction behaviour was rare, and no subject displayed aggressive behaviour (except when caught). Interestingly, males fled sooner, and tended to use more refuge than females, which probably indicates stronger predation pressure on males. However, an overall low use of refuge, the observer's ability to approach most subjects closely before they fled, and few sightings of potential predators, suggest that weak local predation pressure helps to explain why sexually selected conspicuous male coloration has been able to evolve in C. dickersonae.

show abstract

Avoidance Learning by the Curly-Tailed Lizard, Leiocephalus schreibersi: Implications for Anti-Predator Behavior

Cited by 41 publications

References 5 publications

Influence of predation pressure on the escape behaviour of Podarcis muralis lizards

Influence of predation pressure on the escape behaviour of Podarcis muralis lizards

Predation-associated modulation of movement-based signals by a Bahamian lizard

Anti-predation behaviour of Dickerson's collared lizard, Crotaphytus dickersonae

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About