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Verger MO, Devillebichot M, Ringler E, Szabo B. Sex-specific discrimination of familiar and unfamiliar mates in the Tokay gecko. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:55. [PMID: 39110282 PMCID: PMC11306719 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01896-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Social animals need to keep track of other individuals in their group to be able to adjust their behaviour accordingly and facilitate group cohesion. This recognition ability varies across species and is influenced by cognitive capacities such as learning and memory. In reptiles, particularly Squamates (lizards, snakes, and worm lizards), chemical communication is pivotal for territoriality, reproduction, and other social interactions. However, the cognitive processes underlying these social interactions remain understudied. In our study, we examined the ability of male and female Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) to chemically differentiate familiar and unfamiliar mating partners. Our findings suggest that both sexes can make this distinction, with males responding more to the odour of a familiar mate, and females responding more to unfamiliar mates. The lizards maintained their discriminatory abilities for two to three weeks but not up to six weeks after separation. This research highlights the efficacy of using odours as social stimuli for investigating social cognition in lizards, a promising avenue to better understand social cognition in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Ornélia Verger
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Paris, France
- Division of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, Bern, 3032, Switzerland
| | - Maëlle Devillebichot
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eva Ringler
- Division of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, Bern, 3032, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Szabo
- Division of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, Bern, 3032, Switzerland.
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2
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Testing the Functionality of Lipids from Feces in the Conspecific Recognition of the Weeping Lizard, Liolaemus chiliensis. J HERPETOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1670/19-074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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3
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Proteins from femoral gland secretions of male rock lizards Iberolacerta cyreni allow self—but not individual—recognition of unfamiliar males. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02847-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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4
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Where to do number two: Lizards prefer to defecate on the largest rock in the territory. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103937. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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5
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Ibáñez A, Menke M, Quezada G, Jiménez-Uzcátegui G, Schulz S, Steinfartz S. Diversity of compounds in femoral secretions of Galápagos iguanas (genera: Amblyrhynchus and Conolophus), and their potential role in sexual communication in lek-mating marine iguanas ( Amblyrhynchus cristatus). PeerJ 2017; 5:e3689. [PMID: 28828277 PMCID: PMC5563446 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chemical signals are widely used in the animal kingdom, enabling communication in various social contexts, including mate selection and the establishment of dominance. Femoral glands, which produce and release waxy secretions into the environment, are organs of central importance in lizard chemical communication. The Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is a squamate reptile with a lek-mating system. Although the lekking behaviour of marine iguanas has been well-studied, their potential for sexual communication via chemical cues has not yet been investigated. Here we describe the diversity of the lipophilic fraction of males’ femoral gland secretions among 11 island populations of marine iguanas, and compare it with the composition of its sister species, the Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus). We also conducted behavioural observations in marine iguana territorial males in order to explore the possible function of these substances in the context of male dominance in leks. Methods Femoral secretions were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and chromatography with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) in order to characterise the lipophilic composition. To understand the potential role of femoral secretions in marine iguana intraspecific communication, territorial males were sampled for their femoral glands and monitored to record their head bob rate—a territorial display behaviour in males—as well as the number of females present in their leks. Results We found that the gland secretions were composed of ten saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids ranging in chain length between C16 and C24, as well as three sterols. Cholesterol was the main compound found. Intriguingly, land iguanas have a higher diversity of lipophilic compounds, with structural group of lipids (i.e. aldehydes) entirely absent in marine iguanas; overall the chemical signals of both species were strongly differentiated. Lipid profiles also differed among populations of marine iguanas from different islands, with some islands demonstrating a high diversity of lipophilic compounds (i.e. full spectra of compounds), and others lacking one or more compounds. Among the compounds most frequently found missing were 11- and 13-eicosenoic acids. Gland secretions of males with a better body condition and with a higher dominance status (i.e. those accompanied by females and with higher head bob display) were proportionately richer in C20-unsaturated fatty acids (11-eicosenoic acid). Discussion Land and marine iguanas strongly diverged in their chemical composition of the femoral glands likely due to ecological differences between both species. Despite that marine iguana populations varied in their femoral gland composition that was not related to their genetic structure. Our results indicated that 11-eicosenoic acid may play an important role in intraspecific chemical communication in marine iguanas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ibáñez
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Menke
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Galo Quezada
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | | | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Steinfartz
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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Valdecantos S, Labra A. Testing the functionality of precloacal secretions from both sexes in the South American lizard, Liolaemus chiliensis. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The behavior of lizards can be highly influenced by chemical senses. The most studied pheromonal sources in lizards has been the femoral and precloacal gland secretions, although studies have been focused on male secretions, probably because these glands are usually only present in males or are poorly developed in females when they are present. Here, we aimed to study inLiolaemuschiliensis, one of the fewLiolaemusspecies in which females have precloacal glands, if female precloacal secretions convey information. We recorded the response of both sexes to secretions from females and males, as well as to control (solvent). The lizards started to explore the secretions sooner than the control. Both sexes moved more when exposed to female secretions than to the control, and males, but not females, explored female secretions more than the other scents. These results suggest that volatile compounds of the secretions allow lizards to recognize the presence of conspecifics, and, at least for males, these trigger the exploration of non-volatile compounds of the secretions that may reveal the sex of the individual that deposited them. This is the first study that explores the response to female precloacal secretions inLiolaemus, and data indicate that the female secretions ofL. chiliensiscontain relevant information for social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Valdecantos
- Instituto de Biología y Geología del Noroeste Argentino (IBIGEO, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET), Cátedra de Anatomía Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, 9 de Julio 14, 4405 Rosario de Lerma, Salta, Argentina
| | - Antonieta Labra
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 70005, Correo 7, Santiago, Chile
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PB 1066, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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Evolutionary Interactions Between Visual and Chemical Signals: Chemosignals Compensate for the Loss of a Visual Signal in Male Sceloporus Lizards. J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:1164-1174. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0778-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Martín J, López P. Condition-dependent chemosignals in reproductive behavior of lizards. Horm Behav 2015; 68:14-24. [PMID: 24952102 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction". Many lizards have diverse glands that produce chemosignals used in intraspecific communication and that can have reproductive consequences. For example, information in chemosignals of male lizards can be used in intrasexual competition to identify and assess the fighting potential or dominance status of rival males either indirectly through territorial scent-marks or during agonistic encounters. Moreover, females of several lizard species "prefer" to establish or spend more time on areas scent-marked by males with compounds signaling a better health or body condition or a higher genetic compatibility, which can have consequences for their mating success and inter-sexual selection processes. We review here recent studies that suggest that the information content of chemosignals of lizards may be reliable because several physiological and endocrine processes would regulate the proportions of chemical compounds available for gland secretions. Because chemosignals are produced by the organism or come from the diet, they should reflect physiological changes, such as different hormonal levels (e.g. testosterone or corticosterone) or different health states (e.g. parasitic infections, immune response), and reflect the quality of the diet of an individual. More importantly, some compounds that may function as chemosignals also have other important functions in the organism (e.g. as antioxidants or regulating the immune system), so there could be trade-offs between allocating these compounds to attending physiological needs or to produce costly sexual "chemical ornaments". All these factors may contribute to maintain chemosignals as condition-dependent sexual signals, which can inform conspecifics on the characteristics and state of the sender and allow making behavioral decisions with reproductive consequences. To understand the evolution of chemical secretions of lizards as sexual signals and their relevance in reproduction, future studies should examine what information the signals are carrying, the physiological processes that can maintain the reliability of the message and how diverse behavioral responses to chemosignals may influence reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Mayerl C, Baeckens S, Van Damme R. Evolution and role of the follicular epidermal gland system in non-ophidian squamates. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00002995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many lizard and amphisbaenian lineages possess follicular glands in the dermis of the inner thighs and/or the area anterior to the cloaca. These tubular glands produce a holocrine secretion that finds its way to the external world through pore-bearing scales (femoral and/or preanal pores). Secretions are composed of proteins and many lipophilic compounds that may function as chemosignals in lizard and amphisbaenian communication. In recent years, we have begun to develop an understanding of the adaptive significance of these secretions, and they are currently thought to play an important role in a variety of processes in these animals. While it appears that epidermal gland secretions function in intra- and interspecific recognition and territoriality, research has focused largely on their role in mate assessment. Despite these recent studies, our knowledge on the true role of the chemicals found in epidermal secretions remains poorly studied, and there are many possible avenues for future research on this topic. Here, we review the literature on the follicular epidermal glands of non-ophidian squamates and provide a first taxon-wide overview of their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayerl
- Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson SC, 29634, USA
| | - Simon Baeckens
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1 – C, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1 – C, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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10
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Cooper WE, Dimopoulos I, Pafilis P. Sex, Age, and Population Density Affect Aggressive Behaviors in Island Lizards Promoting Cannibalism. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William E. Cooper
- Department of Biology; Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne; Fort Wayne IN USA
| | - Ioannis Dimopoulos
- Section of Zoology and Marine Biology; Department of Biology; University of Athens; Athens Greece
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Section of Zoology and Marine Biology; Department of Biology; University of Athens; Athens Greece
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Baeckens S, Edwards S, Huyghe K, Van Damme R. Chemical signalling in lizards: an interspecific comparison of femoral pore numbers in Lacertidae. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Baeckens
- Department of Biology; Laboratory of Functional Morphology; University of Antwerp; Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Shelley Edwards
- Centre for Invasion Biology; Stellenbosch University; Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division; South African National Biodiversity Institute; Private Bag X7 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Katleen Huyghe
- Department of Biology; Laboratory of Functional Morphology; University of Antwerp; Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Department of Biology; Laboratory of Functional Morphology; University of Antwerp; Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk Belgium
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12
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Sagonas K, Pafilis P, Lymberakis P, Donihue CM, Herrel A, Valakos ED. Insularity affects head morphology, bite force and diet in a Mediterranean lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Sagonas
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology; Faculty of Biology; University of Athens; Panepistimioupoli Zografou 15784 Athens Greece
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Department of Zoology and Marine Biology; Faculty of Biology; University of Athens; Panepistimioupoli Zografou 15784 Athens Greece
| | - Petros Lymberakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete; University of Crete; Knossos Ave PO Box 2208 71409 Irakleio Crete Greece
| | - Colin M. Donihue
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Yale University; New Haven CT USA
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité; UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN; 57 rue Cuvier 75231 Paris France
- Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates; Ghent University; K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 B-9000 Gent Belgium
| | - Efstratios D. Valakos
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology; Faculty of Biology; University of Athens; Panepistimioupoli Zografou 15784 Athens Greece
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13
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The scent of sun worship: basking experience alters scent mark composition in male lizards. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1700-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Morrison SF, Biciloa P, Harlow PS, Keogh JS. Spatial ecology of the critically endangered Fijian crested iguana, Brachylophus vitiensis, in an extremely dense population: implications for conservation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73127. [PMID: 24019902 PMCID: PMC3760881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Critically Endangered Fijian crested iguana, Brachylophus vitiensis, occurs at extreme density at only one location, with estimates of >10,000 iguanas living on the 70 hectare island of Yadua Taba in Fiji. We conducted a mark and recapture study over two wet seasons, investigating the spatial ecology and intraspecific interactions of the strictly arboreal Fijian crested iguana. This species exhibits moderate male-biased sexual size dimorphism, which has been linked in other lizard species to territoriality, aggression and larger male home ranges. We found that male Fijian crested iguanas exhibit high injury levels, indicative of frequent aggressive interactions. We did not find support for larger home range size in adult males relative to adult females, however male and female residents were larger than roaming individuals. Males with established home ranges also had larger femoral pores relative to body size than roaming males. Home range areas were small in comparison to those of other iguana species, and we speculate that the extreme population density impacts considerably on the spatial ecology of this population. There was extensive home range overlap within and between sexes. Intersexual overlap was greater than intrasexual overlap for both sexes, and continuing male-female pairings were observed among residents. Our results suggest that the extreme population density necessitates extensive home range overlap even though the underlying predictors of territoriality, such as male biased sexual size dimorphism and high aggression levels, remain. Our findings should be factored in to conservation management efforts for this species, particularly in captive breeding and translocation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne F. Morrison
- Division of Evolution, Ecology & Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Pita Biciloa
- National Trust of Fiji Islands, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji
| | - Peter S. Harlow
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW, Australia
| | - J. Scott Keogh
- Division of Evolution, Ecology & Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Huyghe K, Vanhooydonck B, Herrel A, Tadić Z, Van Damme R. Female lizards ignore the sweet scent of success: Male characteristics implicated in female mate preference. ZOOLOGY 2012; 115:217-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2011.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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IRAETA PABLO, MONASTERIO CAMILA, SALVADOR ALFREDO, DÍAZ JOSÉA. Sexual dimorphism and interpopulation differences in lizard hind limb length: locomotor performance or chemical signalling? Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2011.01739.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Aldridge R, Jellen B, Siegel D, Wisniewski S. The Sexual Segment of the Kidney. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1201/b10879-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
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Social behavior and pheromonal communication in reptiles. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2010; 196:729-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-010-0551-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2010] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/13/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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Bretman A, Lawniczak MKN, Boone J, Chapman T. A mating plug protein reduces early female remating in Drosophila melanogaster. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 56:107-113. [PMID: 19800888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 09/09/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mating plugs are formed within the female reproductive tract during mating from male ejaculate constituents or even from male genitalia themselves. Across species, mating plugs have roles in sperm storage and the prevention of female remating. In the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, accessory gland proteins such as the sex peptide are known to reduce female remating, however this effect can take some time to establish, hence other ejaculate components must also be involved. We hypothesised a role for the PEBII mating plug protein in the prevention of early female remating. Using RNA interference we produced PEBII knockdown males. We found that these males were significantly less able to prevent female remating in the 4h following mating. The mating plugs produced by PEBII knockdown males also showed lower levels of autofluorescence in the first 10min after the start of mating, suggesting they differed in composition to those of control males. Reduced levels of PEBII had no effect, however, on fecundity, progeny production or egg-adult viability in the first 24 after mating, suggesting there were no short-term effects of PEB II on sperm transfer, storage or use. Our results show that PEBII has a subtle but significant role in the prevention of early female remating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Bretman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
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Abstract
The intriguing composition and function of mating plugs formed when mosquites mate provides a new understanding of the reproductive biology of this important pest and a window through which to view evolution in action.
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Chemical Polymorphism and Chemosensory Recognition between Iberolacerta monticola Lizard Color Morphs. Chem Senses 2009; 34:723-31. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjp059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Abstract
This selective review considers herpetological papers that feature the use of chemical cues, particularly pheromones involved in reproductive interactions between potential mates. Primary examples include garter snake females that attract males, lacertid lizards and the effects of their femoral gland secretions, aquatic male newts that chemically attract females, and terrestrial salamander males that chemically persuade a female to mate. Each case study spans a number of research approaches (molecular, biochemical, behavioral) and is related to sensory processing and the physiological effects of pheromone delivery. These and related studies show that natural pheromones can be identified, validated with behavioral tests, and incorporated in research on vomeronasal functional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne D Houck
- Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
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Abstract
Intrasexual competition favours the evolution of conspicuous fighting ability badges. However, in spite of the fact that chemoreception is important in sexual selection of many animals, such as lizards, the role of chemical signals in males' contests is relatively unknown. Here, we show that proportions of cholesterol in femoral gland secretions of male Iberian rock lizards were related to their body size (which confers a competitive advantage in fights). Males discriminated chemically and responded aggressively to cholesterol stimuli presented on swabs. Moreover, we experimentally increased cholesterol in the scent of males, and staged encounters in neutral cages between two unfamiliar and size-matched males. Focal males lost more agonisitic interactions against males manipulated with cholesterol than in control tests. We suggest that differences in scent composition may reliably signal fighting ability in many lizard species, which would help to avoid the costs of fighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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Discrimination of conspecific faecal chemicals and spatial decisions in juvenile Iberian rock lizards (Lacerta monticola). Acta Ethol 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-007-0038-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Copulatory plugs do not assure high first male fertilisation success: sperm displacement in a lizard. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-007-0463-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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