Foraging mode of serpentiform, grass-living cordylid lizards: a case study of <i>Cordylus anguina</i>

Toit, A. du; Mouton, P. le Fras N.; Geertsema, H.; Flemming, Alexander F.

doi:10.1080/15627020.2002.11657169

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The Chamaesaura atlas–axis complex morphology highlights significant differences in functional ecology and could be most likely explained by the different cordylid foraging mode. According to Wapsra and Swain (), foraging strategies are phylogenetically conservative, and record that Chamaesara and other cordylids rely on “sit‐and‐wait” predation and spend significantly less time moving (Cooper et al, ; Du Toit et al, ). Chamaesaura normally perch elevated in vegetation, so most of their movement is reduced to striking at prey (Du Toit et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Wapsra and Swain (), foraging strategies are phylogenetically conservative, and record that Chamaesara and other cordylids rely on “sit‐and‐wait” predation and spend significantly less time moving (Cooper et al, ; Du Toit et al, ). Chamaesaura normally perch elevated in vegetation, so most of their movement is reduced to striking at prey (Du Toit et al, ). In contrast, gerrhosaurid lizards such as Tetradactylus are active foragers (Cooper et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From lizard body form to serpentiform morphology: The atlas–axis complex in African cordyliformes and their relatives

Čerňanský

2016

Journal of Morphology

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The comparative vertebral morphology of the atlas-axis complex in cordyliforms, xantusiid and several skinks is studied here. These lizards are particularly interesting because of their different ecological adaptations and anti-predation strategies, where conformation ranges from the lizard-like body to a snake-like body. This transition to serpentiform morphology shows several evolutionary patterns in the atlas-axis complex: 1) the zygapophyseal articulations are lost in the early stage of the transition. In contrast to mammals, the atlas is more or less locked to the axis in lepidosaurs, but the absence of zygapophyseal articulation releases this locking for rotation. However despite its serpentiform morphology, Chamaesaura is different, in possessing this articulation; 2) the first intercentrum of Chamaesaura and Tetradactylus africanus (serpentiform grass-swimmers) is fully curved anteriorly, underlying the occipital condyle. While this limits ventral skull rotation beyond a certain angle, it locks the skull, which is a crucial adaptation for a sit-and-wait position in grassland habitats that needs to keep the head stabilized; and 3) in Acontias, most of the atlas articular surface with the occipital condyle is formed by the lateral aspect of the articulation area relative to the area located in the dorsal region of the slightly reduced intercentrum. A similar state occurs in amphisbaenians, most likely reflecting a fossorial lifestyle of the limbless lizards. Although Chamaesaura and Tetradactylus live sympatrically in grasslands, Chamaesaura differs in several ways in atlas-axis complex: for example, aforementioned presence of the atlas-axis zygapophyseal articulation, and long posterodorsal processes. Its occipital condyle protrudes further posteriorly, placing the atlas-axis complex further from the endocranium than in Tetradactylus. Hence, adaptation in the same niche, even among sister clades, can lead to different atlas-axis morphology due to different lifestyle strategies, for example, different foraging mode, while similar atlas-axis morphology can evolve in two lineages occupying different niches, as in Ablepharus and Scelotes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From lizard body form to serpentiform morphology: The atlas–axis complex in African cordyliformes and their relatives

Čerňanský

2016

Journal of Morphology

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“…Comparing these results with data of 20 other species of the family Lacertidae, it is apparent that the majority of species have PTM ≤ 20.68% and move 1.54-3.16 times/min (Table 3 and Figure 4). Only two species are characterized by PTM < 10% and move ≤ 1.01 times/min, thresholds which are often used in other studies to characterize ambush foragers (Du Toit et al 2002;Cooper 2005). The largest gap in PTM values is apparent between 30.50 and 50.00% and in MPM between 3.16 and 4.20.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Whether or not A. rupicola adopts a less active or even a sit-and-wait strategy in periods of increased food availability would need confirmation through further research. However, the preference of A. rupicola for rockdominated habitats does offer great opportunities for the use of outcrops and rocks as perches for the visual scanning typical of sit-and-wait strategists (Cooper and Whiting 1999;Mouton et al 2000;Du Toit et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Sit-and-wait predators on the other hand have a low frequency of movements. They remain stationary for long periods of time, scanning visually for prey which they rapidly attack when in range (Mouton et al 2000;Du Toit et al 2002). Chemical prey discrimination is often poorly developed in sit-and-wait predators (Huey and Pianka 1981;Mouton et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Foraging mode ofAustralolacerta rupicola(FitzSimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae): evidence of seasonal variation in an extremely active predator?

Kirchhof

Linden²,

Rödder

et al. 2010

Journal of Natural History

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Foraging mode of the endemic Soutpansberg rock lizard (Australolacerta rupicola) was determined by (1) measuring the number of movements per minute (MPM) and the percentage time spent moving (PTM); and (2) analysing faecal samples. Furthermore, these criteria were related to diet composition, proportion of attacks initiated while moving and foraging substrate. The results are discussed in comparison to the foraging modes of 20 other lacertid species. Values for MPM and PTM as well as faecal analysis indicate an active foraging strategy for A. rupicola. Although rock living, this species mostly forages in leaf litter where it is well camouflaged while actively searching for sedentary prey. Even in comparison to other active foragers of the family Lacertidae, A. rupicola displays the prototypic behaviour of a widely foraging lizard with very high PTM and very low MPM.

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Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)

Stanley

Jackman

et al. 2011

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

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Foraging mode of serpentiform, grass-living cordylid lizards: a case study of Cordylus anguina

Cited by 10 publications

References 1 publication

From lizard body form to serpentiform morphology: The atlas–axis complex in African cordyliformes and their relatives

From lizard body form to serpentiform morphology: The atlas–axis complex in African cordyliformes and their relatives

Foraging mode ofAustralolacerta rupicola(FitzSimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae): evidence of seasonal variation in an extremely active predator?

Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)

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