Do displays and badges function in establishing the social structure of male toad-headed lizards, Phrynocephalus vlangalii?

Qi, Yin; Wan, Hongfu; Gu, Hongcang; Wang, Yuezhao

doi:10.1007/s10164-010-0252-y

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…(3) Signalling and courtship behaviour Tails can play an important role in acquiring potential mates through signalling or assertion of dominance by either visual displays or agonistic interactions. Badgesreferring to behaviour or morphological structures that are an indication of size and/or dominanceare often correlated with mate acquisition, territory defence and survival (Qi et al, 2011). In lizards, loss of these badges can negatively affect the individual's territory acquisition, mating success and social dominance.…”

Section: Abnormal Regeneration: Potential Behavioural and Ecologimentioning

confidence: 99%

When one tail isn't enough: abnormal caudal regeneration in lepidosaurs and its potential ecological impacts

et al. 2020

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Abnormal caudal regeneration, the production of additional tails through regeneration events, occurs in lepidosaurs as a result of incomplete autotomy or sufficient caudal wound. Despite being widely known to occur, documented events generally are limited to opportunistic single observations – hindering the understanding of the ecological importance of caudal regeneration. Here we compiled and reviewed a robust global database of both peer‐reviewed and non‐peer reviewed records of abnormal regeneration events in lepidosaurs published over the last 400 years. Using this database, we qualitatively and quantitatively assessed the occurrence and characteristics of abnormal tail regeneration among individuals, among species, and among populations. We identified 425 observations from 366 records pertaining to 175 species of lepidosaurs across 22 families from 63 different countries. At an individual level, regenerations ranged from bifurcations to hexafurcations; from normal regeneration from the original tail to multiple regenerations arising from a single point; and from growth from the distal third to the proximal third of the tail. Species showing abnormal regenerations included those with intra‐vertebral, inter‐vertebral or no autotomy planes, indicating that abnormal regenerations evidently occur across lepidosaurs regardless of whether the species demonstrates caudal autotomy or not. Within populations, abnormal regenerations were estimated at a mean ± SD of 2.75 ± 3.41% (range 0.1–16.7%). There is a significant lack of experimental studies to understand the potential ecological impacts of regeneration on the fitness and life history of individuals and populations. We hypothesised that abnormal regeneration may affect lepidosaurs via influencing kinematics of locomotion, restrictions in escape mechanisms, anti‐predation tactics, and intra‐ and inter‐specific signalling. Behaviourally testing these hypotheses would be an important future research direction.

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Section: Abnormal Regeneration: Potential Behavioural and Ecologimentioning

confidence: 99%

When one tail isn't enough: abnormal caudal regeneration in lepidosaurs and its potential ecological impacts

et al. 2020

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“…Furthermore, as dynamic displays are expected to be costly 17 they also might provide information about signaler quality. Although there is little evidence to suggest that the frequency of male signaling bouts by P. vlangalii is condition dependent 16 , we postulated that variation in signal structure, rather than signal frequency, might hold key information for receivers regarding individual quality. Attempts to relate signals with sender quality is not straightforward 18 , but one possible explanation suggests that non-significant relationships arise because of the difficulty in measuring signals 19 .…”

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confidence: 91%

“…Visual displays between residents and intruders are a conspicuous feature of male P. vlangalii behaviour at their burrow. These displays involve movement of the tail and are more frequently used by burrow owners than floaters 16 , suggesting they likely function to establish territory ownership. Furthermore, as dynamic displays are expected to be costly 17 they also might provide information about signaler quality.…”

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confidence: 99%

Social context affects tail displays by Phrynocephalus vlangalii lizards from China

Peters

Ramos

Hernández

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Competition between animals for limited resources often involves signaling to establish ownership or dominance. In some species, the defended resource relates to suitable thermal conditions and refuge from predators. This is particularly true of burrow-dwelling lizards such as the Qinghai toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii), which are found on the Tibetan plateau of western China. Male and female lizards occupy separate burrows, which are vital for anti-predator behaviour during warmer months when lizards are active and, crucially, provide shelter from harsh winter conditions. These lizards are readily observed signaling by means of tail displays on the sand dunes they inhabit. Given the selective pressure to hold such a resource, both males and females should exhibit territorial behaviour and we considered this study system to examine in detail how social context influences motion based territorial signaling. We confirmed that territorial signaling was used by both sexes, and by adopting a novel strategy that permitted 3D reconstruction of tail displays, we identified significant variation due to social context. However, signal structure was not related to lizard morphology. Clearly, the burrow is a highly valued resource and we suggest that additional variation in signaling behaviour might be mediated by resource quality.

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“…Although we do not have direct evidence to suggest social cooperation among females, the complex social interactions with conspecifics and frequently used displays may help females defend territories and prevent social conflicts from escalating into fights, and thereby reduce the costs of staying and promote female philopatry (Qi et al. ). Females were also observed to engage in frequent burrow defense behavior before giving birth and then share their burrows with offspring after giving birth (Qi et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also have a tail-tip badge and a belly patch which become very visible during social interactions (Qi et al 2011a). Males use tail curling to signal body conditions and establish social ranks (Qi et al 2011b). Our recent data show that the belly patch size is negatively correlated with male and female individual territoriality, while head size of P. vlangalii is positively correlated with individual bite force (Y.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic evidence for male‐biased dispersal in theQinghai toad‐headed agamidPhrynocephalus vlangaliiand its potential link to individual social interactions

Yang

et al. 2013

Ecology and Evolution

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Sex-biased dispersal has profound impacts on a species' biology and several factors have been attributed to its evolution, including mating system, inbreeding avoidance, and social complexity. Sex-biased dispersal and its potential link to individual social interactions were examined in the Qinghai toad-headed agamid (Phrynocephalus vlangalii). We first determined the pattern of sex-biased dispersal using population genetic methods. A total of 345 specimens from 32 sites in the Qaidam Basin were collected and genotyped for nine microsatellite DNA loci. Both individual-based assignment tests and allele frequency-based analyses were conducted. Females revealed much more genetic structure than males and all results were consistent with male-biased dispersal. First-generation migrants were also identified by genetic data. We then examined eight social interaction-related morphological traits and explored their potential link to sex-biased dispersal. Female residents had larger heads and longer tails than female migrants. The well-developed signal system among females, coupled with viviparity, might make remaining on natal sites beneficial, and hence promote female philopatry. Dominant females with larger heads were more likely to stay. Contrary to females, male migrants had larger heads and belly patches than residents, suggesting that dispersal might confer selective advantages for males. Such advantages may include opportunities for multiple mating and escaping from crowded sites. Large belly patches and several other morphological traits may assist their success in obtaining mates during dispersal. Furthermore, a relatively high relatedness (R = 0.06) among females suggested that this species might have rudimentary social structure. Case studies in “less” social species may provide important evidence for a better understanding of sex-biased dispersal.

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Do displays and badges function in establishing the social structure of male toad-headed lizards, Phrynocephalus vlangalii?

Cited by 15 publications

References 46 publications

When one tail isn't enough: abnormal caudal regeneration in lepidosaurs and its potential ecological impacts

When one tail isn't enough: abnormal caudal regeneration in lepidosaurs and its potential ecological impacts

Social context affects tail displays by Phrynocephalus vlangalii lizards from China

Genetic evidence for male‐biased dispersal in theQinghai toad‐headed agamidPhrynocephalus vlangaliiand its potential link to individual social interactions

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