Predation and the Defensive Behavior of Green Iguanas (Reptilia, Lacertilia, Iguanidae)

Greene, Harry W.; Burghardt, Gordon M.; Dugan, Beverly A.; Rand, A. Stanley

doi:10.2307/1563404

Cited by 51 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Juvenile P. i. wilhelmi were c. 4-5 months of age and still small (c. 18-30 mm SVL). Juveniles were therefore susceptible to a greater array of predators than adults (Greene, 1978(Greene, , 1988Arnold, 1988;Whiting et al, 1991). Increased predation risk should result in adaptations that improve survival probability and result in adaptations that are lost or in some way altered as lizards approach maturity and selective pressures change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clark & Hall, 1970;Cooper & Vitt, 1985;Vitt & Cooper, 1986;Niewiarowski et al, 1997). Juveniles, because of their small size, are vulnerable to a greater array of predators than adults (Greene, 1978(Greene, , 1988Arnold, 1988;Whiting, Godwin & Coldren, 1991) and in general have low first year survivorship (Dunham, 1981;Andrews, 1991;James, 1991), presumably as a result of higher predation. Furthermore, by virtue of their age, juveniles are likely to be less experienced with predator avoidance, having had fewer encounters with predators than adults.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

To run or hide? Age‐dependent escape behaviour in the common flat lizard (Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi)

2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Flat lizards Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi occur on small discrete rock outcrops in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. These rock outcrops are structurally simple and this, combined with the lizard's behaviour (ambush foraging in the open), make them ideal for field studies of anti-predatory behaviour. Lizards were approached in the field and how escape behaviour was influenced by habitat and age-sex class was recorded. Juveniles (c. 4 months of age) responded quite differently to an approaching human 'predator' compared with adult males and females (which responded similarly). Compared to adults, juveniles allowed a closer approach by the investigator; took longer to find a refuge and therefore fled further; were more likely to remain visible in the open and maintain visual contact with the investigator; and more likely to flee into vegetation when given the opportunity to take refuge in a crevice. We suggest that because a greater suite of predators (including arthropods living in rock crevices) feed on small juvenile lizards, this may affect their choice of refuge and result in the avoidance of crevices when chased. Finally, because juveniles were frequently found on small rock outcrops, the influence of rock outcrop area on anti-predatory behaviour was tested. Escape behaviour (time to refuge) was independent of rock outcrop area.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To run or hide? Age‐dependent escape behaviour in the common flat lizard (Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi)

2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Because of the importance of predator detection to the prey (Webb, 1986), these behaviors provide an ideal context to study behavioral variation and perception. Most animals have a variety of methods of defense against predators (Greene, Burghardt, Dugan, & Rand, 1978), and early detection is but one.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk discrimination of eye contact and directness of approach in black iguanas (Ctenosaura similis).

Burger

Gochfeld²,

Murray³

1992

Journal of Comparative Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We examined the ability of basking black iguanas (Ctenosaura similis) to discriminate risk from a person walking directly toward them versus one walking tangentially by them when the person looked either directly at them or away from them. All iguanas were tested near the Organization for Tropical Studies Palo Verde, Costa Rica field station or the refuge hacienda, where they were habituated to the presence of humans. The animals responded most quickly to a direct approach with a direct gaze, followed by a direct approach with an averted gaze and a tangential approach with a direct gaze, and least quickly to a tangential approach with an averted gaze. Behavioral responses were not related to body size but were intercorrelated. These results demonstrate that iguanas can use both body orientation and gaze direction to assess the threat of an approaching predator.

show abstract

“…Sit-and-wait foragers like B. plumifrons must balance their time between movement (necessary to patrol a territory or thermoregulate), foraging effort, and vigilance behavior (scanning for predators or competitors). Because adults reproduce year-round (Savage, 2002), and juveniles may avoid areas occupied by adult lizards (Hirth, 1963;Greene et al, 1978), we divided lizards into juvenile and adult (male or female) classes and included habitat (micro-, macro-, and regional scale) as factors. We monitor activity relative to prevailing climate and season (wet and dry) because lizard activity is likely dependent on ambient conditions (Adolph and Porter, 1993), and variation thereof (Fleming and Hooker, 1975).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat Use and Activity Budgets of Emerald Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) in Northeast Costa Rica

Lattanzio

LaDuke

2012

Copeia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predation and the Defensive Behavior of Green Iguanas (Reptilia, Lacertilia, Iguanidae)

Cited by 51 publications

References 22 publications

To run or hide? Age‐dependent escape behaviour in the common flat lizard (Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi)

To run or hide? Age‐dependent escape behaviour in the common flat lizard (Platysaurus intermedius wilhelmi)

Risk discrimination of eye contact and directness of approach in black iguanas (Ctenosaura similis).

Habitat Use and Activity Budgets of Emerald Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) in Northeast Costa Rica

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About