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Comas M, Zamora-Camacho FJ, Garrido-Bautista J, Moreno-Rueda G, Martín J, López P. Mounting an immune response reduces male attractiveness in a lizard. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 39219026 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Parasites impact host fitness and constitute an important selective pressure on the host's life history. According to parasite-mediated sexual selection, ornaments are presumed to honestly indicate immune capacity or resistance against parasites, and the chooser sex (typically females) obtains an advantage by selecting more ornamented, thus more immunocompetent mates. Therefore, signalers mounting an immune response must allocate resources from the sexual signal to the immune system, hence reducing the expression of the ornament and becoming less attractive to the choosing sex. Here, we test this idea in the lizard Psammodromus algirus. We inoculated a subsample of males with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the cell wall of Escherichia coli, while others served as sham controls. The inoculation of LPS decreased the proportion of ergosterol (pro-vitamin D2) in femoral secretions, and chemosensory tests showed that the scent of LPS-inoculated males was less attractive to females than the scent of control males. Given that ergosterol is a precursor of vitamin D, which has physiological functions as an immune modulator, immunocompromised males likely needed to divert vitamin D to the immune system, reducing the allocation of ergosterol to secretions. In this way, females could detect "sick" males, preferring the apparently healthy males. Overall, our study shows that mounting an immune response is costly in terms of reduced attractiveness. Moreover, we disentangle the underlying mechanism, which involves an honest signal based on vitamin D allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Comas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Zamora-Camacho
- Departamento de Biogeografía y Cambio Global, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, C.S.I.C, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Área de Zoología, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Gregorio Moreno-Rueda
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, C.S.I.C, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, C.S.I.C, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Lin FC, Lin SM, Godfrey SS. Hidden social complexity behind vocal and acoustic communication in non-avian reptiles. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230200. [PMID: 38768204 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are inevitable in the lives of most animals, since most essential behaviours require interaction with conspecifics, such as mating and competing for resources. Non-avian reptiles are typically viewed as solitary animals that predominantly use their vision and olfaction to communicate with conspecifics. Nevertheless, in recent years, evidence is mounting that some reptiles can produce sounds and have the potential for acoustic communication. Reptiles that can produce sound have an additional communicative channel (in addition to visual/olfactory channels), which could suggest they have a higher communicative complexity, the evolution of which is assumed to be driven by the need of social interactions. Thus, acoustic reptiles may provide an opportunity to unveil the true social complexity of reptiles that are usually thought of as solitary. This review aims to reveal the hidden social interactions behind the use of sounds in non-avian reptiles. Our review suggests that the potential of vocal and acoustic communication and the complexity of social interactions may be underestimated in non-avian reptiles, and that acoustic reptiles may provide a great opportunity to uncover the coevolution between sociality and communication in non-avian reptiles. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chun Lin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Si-Min Lin
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei, Taiwan
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3
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Freiburger T, Miller N, Skinner M. Olfactory self-recognition in two species of snake. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240125. [PMID: 38565155 PMCID: PMC10987230 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0125] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mark tests, in which an animal uses a mirror to locate and examine an otherwise unnoticeable mark on its own body, are commonly used to assess self-recognition, which may have implications for self-awareness. Recently, several olfactory-reliant species have appeared to pass odour-based versions of the mark test, though it has never been attempted in reptiles. We conducted an odour-based mark test on two species of snakes, Eastern gartersnakes and ball pythons, with widely divergent ecologies (i.e. terrestrial foragers that communally brumate versus semi-arboreal ambush predators that do not). We find that gartersnakes, but not ball pythons, pass the test, and a range of control tests suggest this is based on self-recognition. Gartersnakes are more social than ball pythons, supporting recent suggestions that social species are more likely to self-recognize. These results open the door to examination of the ecology of self-recognition, and suggest that this ability may evolve in response to species-specific ecological challenges, some of which may align with complexity of social structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Freiburger
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3C5
| | - Noam Miller
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3C5
| | - Morgan Skinner
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3C5
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4
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Shankey NT, Cohen RE. Neural control of reproduction in reptiles. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:307-321. [PMID: 38247297 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Reptiles display considerable diversity in reproductive behavior, making them great models to study the neuroendocrine control of reproductive behavior. Many reptile species are seasonally breeding, such that they become reproductively active during their breeding season and regress to a nonreproductive state during their nonbreeding season, with this transition often prompted by environmental cues. In this review, we will focus on summarizing the neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling reproductive behavior. Three major areas of the brain are involved in reproductive behavior: the preoptic area (POA), amygdala, and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). The POA and VMH are sexually dimorphic areas, regulating behaviors in males and females respectively, and all three areas display seasonal plasticity. Lesions to these areas disrupt the onset and maintenance of reproductive behaviors, but the exact roles of these regions vary between sexes and species. Different hormones influence these regions to elicit seasonal transitions. Circulating testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) peak during the breeding season and their influence on reproduction is well-documented across vertebrates. The conversion of T into E2 and 5α-dihydrotestosterone can also affect behavior. Melatonin and corticosterone have generally inhibitory effects on reproductive behavior, while serotonin and other neurohormones seem to stimulate it. In general, there is relatively little information on the neuroendocrine control of reproduction in reptiles compared to other vertebrate groups. This review highlights areas that should be considered for future areas of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T Shankey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rachel E Cohen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota, USA
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5
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Martín J, Rodríguez-Ruiz G, Navarro-Castilla Á, Barja I, López P. Blind date: female fossorial amphisbaenians prefer scent marks of large and healthy males. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 38247017 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Selecting a good mate is a decision with important fitness consequences. For this reason, mate choice has promoted the evolution of sexual ornaments signaling the quality of an individual. In fossorial animals, inhabiting visually restricted underground environments, chemical senses should be very important for mate choice. We examined whether sexual chemical signals (substrate scent marks) produced by males of the Iberian worm lizard, Blanus cinereus, a strictly fossorial blind amphisbaenian, provide information to females on morphological traits and health state. We administered corticosterone (CORT) to males simulating a continuous stressor affecting their health. Females preferred settling at sites scent-marked by males in comparison with similar sites with female scent or unmarked sites, but the attractiveness of males' scent differed between individuals. Females preferred scent marks of larger/older males and with a higher immune response, while their body condition and CORT treatment were unrelated to female preferences. Chemical analyses showed that proportions of some compounds in precloacal secretions of males (used to produce scent marks) were correlated with the morphological (body size) and health state (immune response and body condition, but not CORT treatment) of these males. These results suggest that females may make site-selection decisions based on assessing the chemical characteristics of males' scent marks, which were reliably related to some of the traits of the male that produced the scent. Therefore, females might use chemical senses to increase the opportunities to find and mate with males of high quality, coping with the restrictions of the subterranean environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Navarro-Castilla
- Etho-Physiology Group, Unit of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Etho-Physiology Group, Unit of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departmento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Buchinger TJ, Li W. Chemical communication and its role in sexual selection across Animalia. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1178. [PMID: 37985853 PMCID: PMC10662023 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05572-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection has been studied as a major evolutionary driver of animal diversity for roughly 50 years. Much evidence indicates that competition for mates favors elaborate signaling traits. However, this evidence comes primarily from a few taxa, leaving sexual selection as a salient evolutionary force across Animalia largely untested. Here, we reviewed the evidence for sexual selection on communication across all animal phyla, classes, and orders with emphasis on chemoreception, the only sense shared across lifeforms. An exhaustive literature review documented evidence for sexual selection on chemosensory traits in 10 of 34 animal phyla and indications of sexual selection on chemosensory traits in an additional 13 phyla. Potential targets of sexual selection include structures and processes involved in production, delivery, and detection of chemical signals. Our review suggests sexual selection plays a widespread role in the evolution of communication and highlights the need for research that better reflects animal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Buchinger
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Biology Department, Albion College, Albion, MI, USA.
| | - Weiming Li
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Parker MR, Tillman EA, Nazarian LA, Barlowe ML, Lincoln JM, Kluever BM. Skin lipids alone enable conspecific tracking in an invasive reptile, the Argentine black and white tegu lizard (Salvator merianae). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293591. [PMID: 37906547 PMCID: PMC10617720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Locating potential mates in non-native habitats is one of the most important challenges faced by invasive vertebrate species. The Argentine black and white tegu lizard (Salvator merianae) is a major invasive reptile species in the contiguous United States and is rapidly expanding its range across Florida and the Southeast, in part due to inadequate management strategies and tools. Because a wide array of reptiles, especially squamates (snakes and lizards), have been well-studied for their reliance on chemical cues to locate conspecifics, our project aimed to isolate chemical cues from tegus and assess the ability of adult males and females to use only these cues to make navigation decisions within a Y-maze. Previously, we found that both males and females can follow conspecific scent trails, but the nature of the specific cues used by the tegus was unknown. In this study, we extracted skin lipids from male and female shed skins acquired during the breeding season then tested the extracts for bioactivity at different dilutions prior to Y-maze trials. Both sexes showed positive reactions (e.g., tongue-flicking, nose taps, scratching) to 2:1 skin lipid:hexane dilutions. In the Y-maze, males (n = 7) and females (n = 7) were run in three types of trailing scenarios with these skin lipid extracts: Male-only (pooled lipid extracts from male shed skins), Female-only (extracts from female shed skins), and Male vs. female. Regardless of the tegu lipid type present, tegus preferred to follow the conspecific lipid trail when paired with a neutral control (peanut oil; 2:1 dilution). They also preferred opposite-sex skin lipid trails when paired with same-sex skin lipid trails. We analyzed our results further by comparing them to those of Richard, Bukovich, et al. (2020). We found a synchronization effect of the skin lipids: sex differences in behavior detectable in the scent trail trials were absent when only conspecific skin lipids were present in the environment. Our results indicate that skin lipids alone are sufficient to facilitate mate tracking in S. merianae, these chemical cues induce reliable behavior, and extracted skin lipids have potential for modifying movement patterns of an invasive reptile in their non-native range. If leveraged in concert with current tegu management strategies (i.e., trapping), extracted skin lipids have the potential to bolster management efficacy but field trials are a requisite next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Rockwell Parker
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Eric A. Tillman
- National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Lauren A. Nazarian
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Megan L. Barlowe
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Julianna M. Lincoln
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Bryan M. Kluever
- National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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De la Fuente MF, de Araújo BMC, da Silva Policarpo I, Pereira HM, Borges AKM, Vieira WLS, Pereira Filho GA, Alves RRN. Keeping reptiles as pets in Brazil: keepers' motivations and husbandry practices. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:46. [PMID: 37865770 PMCID: PMC10590521 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00618-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reptiles are considered one of the most popular pets in the world and are often associated with an incorrect belief that they are simple, highly adaptable, and easy to keep animals when compared with other pets, such as dogs and cats. However, keeping reptiles as pets can pose several challenges in meeting their needs in a domestic setting, requiring specific conditions and effort to maintain their health, well-being, and survival. METHODS During 2015, using online semi-structured questionnaires applied to 719 Brazilian pet reptile keepers who participated in online groups of reptile breeders on the social network Facebook, this study aimed to identify Brazilian keepers' motivations for maintaining reptiles as pets, investigate their monthly expenses, and the husbandry practices for the maintenance, such as housing and feeding conditions, handling of the animal, health issues, and treatment provided. RESULTS We found multiple motivations for keeping reptiles as pets (mostly snakes, lizards, and chelonians), the main motivation being emotional reasons, followed by entertainment and convenience reasons. The great majority of keepers (69%) declared to spend less than or up to US$30 per month in maintaining their reptiles. Most reptiles were kept alone in terrarium/aquarium enclosures, with basic environmental complexity in terms of physical elements. Lizards and chelonians were fed with a few insect species, cultivated fruits and vegetables, while snakes were fed mainly with domestic rodents, rabbits, or birds. Keepers declared frequent cleaning of the enclosure, but inappropriately handled their animals directly with their hands, which might result in potential threats to human and reptile health and safety. Several diseases or injuries were mentioned and 55.6% of the keepers declared taking the reptile to the vet for treatment. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings revealed several challenges that reptiles face when kept in domestic environments, including issues related to housing, nutrition, and healthcare. Even though keepers demonstrated positive feelings toward their pets, suggesting a positive relationship and a willingness to provide them with proper care, it seems that without the proper knowledge and awareness, reptiles may unintentionally be kept with poor husbandry. Addressing these challenges on husbandry practices is essential for improving reptiles' welfare and promoting a responsible pet ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda De la Fuente
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
| | | | - Iamara da Silva Policarpo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Heliene Mota Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Anna Karolina Martins Borges
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
- LAPEC - Laboratório de Peixes e Conservação Marinha, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Washington Luiz Silva Vieira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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9
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Borczyk B. Sexual dimorphism in skull size and shape of Laticauda colubrina (Serpentes: Elapidae). PeerJ 2023; 11:e16266. [PMID: 37868070 PMCID: PMC10590095 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual dimorphism in size and shape is widespread among squamate reptiles. Sex differences in snake skull size and shape are often accompanied by intersexual feeding niche separation. However, allometric trajectories underlying these differences remain largely unstudied in several lineages. The sea krait Laticauda colubrina (Serpentes: Elapidae) exhibits very clear sexual dimorphism in body size, with previous studies having reported females to be larger and to have a relatively longer and wider head. The two sexes also differ in feeding habits: males tend to prey in shallow water on muraenid eels, whereas females prey in deeper water on congerid eels. Methods I investigated sexual dimorphism in skull shape and size as well as the pattern of skull growth, to determine whether males and females follow the same ontogenetic trajectories. I studied skull characteristics and body length in 61 male and female sea kraits. Results The sexes differ in skull shape. Males and females follow distinct allometric trajectories. Structures associated with feeding performance are female-biased, whereas rostral and orbital regions are male-biased. The two sexes differ in allometric trajectories of feeding-related structures (female biased) that correspond to dietary divergence between the sexes. Conclusions Sea kraits exhibit clear sexual dimorphism in the skull form that may be explained by intersexual differences in the feeding habits as well as reproductive roles. The overall skull growth pattern resembles the typical pattern observed in other tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Borczyk
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Coservation of Vertebrates, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
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10
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Mangiacotti M, Fumagalli M, Casali C, Biggiogera M, Forneris F, Sacchi R. Carbonic anhydrase IV in lizard chemical signals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14164. [PMID: 37644071 PMCID: PMC10465503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41012-9] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of chemical signals is subject to environmental constraints. A multicomponent signal may combine semiochemical molecules with supporting compounds able to enhance communication efficacy. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are ubiquitous enzymes catalysing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide, a reaction involved in a variety of physiological processes as it controls the chemical environment of the different tissues or cellular compartments, thus contributing to the overall system homeostasis. CA-IV isoform has been recently identified by mass spectrometry in the femoral gland secretions (FG) of the marine iguana, where it has been hypothesized to contribute to the chemical stability of the signal, by regulating blend pH. Lizards, indeed, use FG to communicate by delivering the waxy secretion on bare substrate, where it is exposed to environmental stressors. Therefore, we expect that some molecules in the mixture may play supporting functions, enhancing the stability of the chemical environment, or even conferring homeostatic properties to the blend. CA-IV may well represent an important candidate to this hypothesized supporting/homeostatic function, and, therefore, we can expect it to be common in FG secretions of other lizard species. To evaluate this prediction and definitely validate CA identity, we analysed FG secretions of eight species of wall lizards (genus Podarcis), combining mass spectrometry, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate CA-IV to actually occur in the FG of seven out of the eight considered species, providing an immunochemistry validation of mass-spectrometry identifications, and localizing the enzyme within the secretion mass. The predicted structure of the identified CA is compatible with the known enzymatic activity of CA-IV, supporting the hypothesis that CA play a signal homeostasis function and opening to new perspective about the role of proteins in vertebrate chemical communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudio Casali
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Biggiogera
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federico Forneris
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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11
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Hague MTJ, Miller LE, Stokes AN, Feldman CR, Brodie ED, Brodie ED. Conspicuous coloration of toxin-resistant predators implicates additional trophic interactions in a predator-prey arms race. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4482-4496. [PMID: 36336815 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Antagonistic coevolution between natural enemies can produce highly exaggerated traits, such as prey toxins and predator resistance. This reciprocal process of adaptation and counter-adaptation may also open doors to other evolutionary novelties not directly involved in the phenotypic interface of coevolution. We tested the hypothesis that predator-prey coevolution coincided with the evolution of conspicuous coloration on resistant predators that retain prey toxins. In western North America, common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) have evolved extreme resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the coevolutionary arms race with their deadly prey, Pacific newts (Taricha spp.). TTX-resistant snakes can retain large amounts of ingested TTX, which could serve as a deterrent against the snakes' own predators if TTX toxicity and resistance are coupled with a conspicuous warning signal. We evaluated whether arms race escalation covaries with bright red coloration in snake populations across the geographic mosaic of coevolution. Snake colour variation departs from the neutral expectations of population genetic structure and covaries with escalating clines of newt TTX and snake resistance at two coevolutionary hotspots. In the Pacific Northwest, bright red coloration fits an expected pattern of an aposematic warning to avian predators: TTX-resistant snakes that consume highly toxic newts also have relatively large, reddish-orange dorsal blotches. Snake coloration also seems to have evolved with the arms race in California, but overall patterns are less intuitively consistent with aposematism. These results suggest that interactions with additional trophic levels can generate novel traits as a cascading consequence of arms race coevolution across the geographic mosaic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T J Hague
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Lauren E Miller
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Amber N Stokes
- Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, California, USA
| | - Chris R Feldman
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Edmund D Brodie
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Edmund D Brodie
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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12
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Tetzlaff SJ, Vizentin‐Bugoni J, Sperry JH, Davis MA, Clark RW, Repp RA, Schuett GW. Fission-fusion dynamics in the social networks of a North American pitviper. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10339. [PMID: 37554395 PMCID: PMC10405236 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many animal species exist in fission-fusion societies, where the size and composition of conspecific groups change spatially and temporally. To help investigate such phenomena, social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a powerful conceptual and analytical framework for assessing patterns of interconnectedness and quantifying group-level interactions. We leveraged behavioral observations via radiotelemetry and genotypic data from a long-term (>10 years) study on the pitviper Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) and used SNA to quantify the first robust demonstration of social network structures for any free-living snake. Group-level interactions among adults in this population resulted in structurally modular networks (i.e., distinct clusters of interacting individuals) for fidelis use of communal winter dens (denning network), mating behaviors (pairing network), and offspring production (parentage network). Although the structure of each network was similar, the size and composition of groups varied among them. Specifically, adults associated with moderately sized social groups at winter dens but often engaged in reproductive behaviors-both at and away from dens-with different and fewer partners. Additionally, modules formed by individuals in the pairing network were frequently different from those in the parentage network, likely due to multiple mating, long-term sperm storage by females, and resultant multiple paternity. Further evidence for fission-fusion dynamics exhibited by this population-interactions were rare when snakes were dispersing to and traversing their spring-summer home ranges (to which individuals show high fidelity), despite ample opportunities to associate with numerous conspecifics that had highly overlapping ranges. Taken together, we show that long-term datasets incorporating SNA with spatial and genetic information provide robust and unique insights to understanding the social structure of cryptic taxa that are understudied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha J. Tetzlaff
- U.S. Army ERDC‐CERLChampaignIllinoisUSA
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Jeferson Vizentin‐Bugoni
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal de PelotasPelotasBrazil
| | - Jinelle H. Sperry
- U.S. Army ERDC‐CERLChampaignIllinoisUSA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Rulon W. Clark
- Chiricahua Desert MuseumRodeoNew MexicoUSA
- Department of BiologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Gordon W. Schuett
- Chiricahua Desert MuseumRodeoNew MexicoUSA
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience InstituteGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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13
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Tiatragul S, Brennan IG, Broady ES, Keogh JS. Australia's hidden radiation: Phylogenomics analysis reveals rapid Miocene radiation of blindsnakes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 185:107812. [PMID: 37207892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarin Tiatragul
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
| | - Ian G Brennan
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth S Broady
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2601, ACT, Australia.
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14
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Murali G, Meiri S, Roll U. Chemical signaling glands are unlinked to species diversification in lizards. Evolution 2023; 77:1829-1841. [PMID: 37279331 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpad101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sexual selection has long been thought to increase species diversification. Sexually selected traits, such as sexual signals that contribute to reproductive isolation, were thought to promote diversification. However, studies exploring links between sexually selected traits and species diversification have thus far primarily focused on visual or acoustic signals. Many animals often employ chemical signals (i.e., pheromones) for sexual communications, but large-scale analyses on the role of chemical communications in driving species diversification have been missing. Here, for the first time, we investigate whether traits associated with chemical communications-the presence of follicular epidermal glands-promote diversification across 6,672 lizard species. In most analyses, we found no strong association between the presence of follicular epidermal glands and species diversification rates, either across all lizard species or at lower phylogenetic scales. Previous studies suggest that follicular gland secretions act as species recognition signals that prevent hybridization during speciation in lizards. However, we show that geographic range overlap was no different in sibling species pairs with and without follicular epidermal glands. Together, these results imply that either follicular epidermal glands do not primarily function in sexual communications or sexually selected traits in general (here chemical communication) have a limited effect on species diversification. In our additional analysis accounting for sex-specific differences in glands, we again found no detectable effect of follicular epidermal glands on species diversification rates. Thus, our study challenges the general role of sexually selected traits in broad-scale species diversification patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Murali
- Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environments and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Shai Meiri
- School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Beersheva, Sede-Boqer Campus, 8499000, Israel
| | - Uri Roll
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environments and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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15
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Schuett GW, Peterson KH, Powell AR, Taylor JD, Alexander JR, Lappin AK. Female-female aggression in the Gila monster ( Heloderma suspectum). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221466. [PMID: 37181791 PMCID: PMC10170349 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Historically, the role of aggression in the social lives of animals overwhelmingly focused on males. In recent years, however, female-female aggression in vertebrates, particularly lizards, has received increasing attention. This growing body of literature shows both similarities and differences to aggressive behaviours between males. Here, we document female-female aggression in captive Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum). Based on four unique dyadic trials (eight adult female subjects), we developed a qualitative ethogram. Unexpected and most intriguing were the prevalence and intensity of aggressive acts that included brief and sustained biting, envenomation, and lateral rotation (i.e. rolling of body while holding onto opponent with closed jaws). Given specific behavioural acts (i.e. biting) and the results of bite-force experiments, we postulate that osteoderms (bony deposits in the skin) offer some degree of protection and reduce the likelihood of serious injury during female-female fights. Male-male contests in H. suspectum, in contrast, are more ritualized, and biting is rarely reported. Female-female aggression in other lizards has a role in territoriality, courtship tactics, and nest and offspring guarding. Future behavioural research on aggression in female Gila monsters is warranted to test these and other hypotheses in the laboratory and field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon W. Schuett
- Department of Biology | Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo, NM, USA
| | | | - Anthony R. Powell
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - John D. Taylor
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Alexander
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - A. Kristopher Lappin
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
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16
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Recio P, Rodríguez-Ruiz G, Sannolo M, Cuervo JJ, López P, Martín J. Conspecific scent marks may influence underground site selection by a fossorial reptile. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-023-03305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Conspecific cues often provide social information on habitat quality that is considered when deciding to settle at a specific site. The type of sensory cues useful for this will depend on the environment. For amphisbaenians, reptiles adapted to an underground life with highly reduced sight, chemoreception is especially useful to recognize conspecifics. Here, we first analyzed the lipophilic compounds from precloacal gland secretions of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus, showing that there were sex- and size-related variations in the proportions of the three major compounds. Then, we tested in the laboratory whether there was an underground site selection based on conspecific chemical cues (substrate scent marks) in two different contexts. In loose substrates, both male and female amphisbaenians tended to choose first the scent-marked substrates more often when the individual that produced the scent, independently of its sex, was relatively larger than the focal individual. In contrast, inside semi-permanent galleries, males, but not females, chose the scent-marked gallery more often when the scent donor, independently of its sex, was relatively smaller. These results suggest that the proportions of compounds in scent marks may allow amphisbaenians to estimate the body size of the producer and that this information affects their site selection decisions. However, the different substrate-dependent responses suggest a different meaning and usefulness of scent marks depending on the context.
Significance statement
The presence of your conspecific in a site may indicate that this is a “quality” site to live in. If you are blind and live underground, smell is one of the best options for detecting conspecifics and assessing how good are your surroundings. Here, we test whether a blind amphisbaenian reptile that spends its life buried in sandy substrates uses conspecific chemical stimuli to choose where to settle. We found that this decision is influenced by the microhabitat type, sex, and the size difference between the individual that sniffs and the producer of the scent. Amphisbaenians seem to detect and assess conspecific traits based on the differences in compounds in their odors. Therefore, using conspecific scent to assess habitat quality may help fossorial animals to live underground.
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17
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He QL, Deng K, Wang XP, Chen QH, Wang TL, Wang JC, Cui JG. Heterospecific eavesdropping on disturbance cues of a treefrog. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:515-522. [PMID: 36131103 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01690-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Alarm signals and cues are crucial to animal survival and vary greatly across species. Eavesdropping on heterospecific alarm signals and cues can provide eavesdroppers with information about potential threats. In addition to acoustic alarm signals, evidence has accumulated that chemical alarm cues and disturbance cues can also play a role in alerting conspecifics to potential danger in adult anurans (frogs and toads). However, there is very little known about whether disturbance cues are exploited by heterospecifics. In the present study, we conducted a binary choice experiment and a prey chemical discrimination experiment, respectively, to test the responses of a sympatric anuran species (red webbed treefrogs, Rhacophorus rhodopus) and a sympatric predator species (Chinese green tree vipers, Trimeresurus stejnegeri) to disturbance odors emitted by serrate-legged small treefrogs (Kurixalus odontotarsus). In the binary choice experiment, we found that the presence of disturbance odors did not significantly trigger the avoidance behavior of R. rhodopus. In the prey chemical discrimination experiment, compared with odors from undisturbed K. odontotarsus (control odors) and odorless control, T. stejnegeri showed a significantly higher tongue-flick rate in response to disturbance odors. This result implies that disturbance odor cues of K. odontotarsus can be exploited by eavesdropping predators to detect prey. Our study provides partial evidence for heterospecific eavesdropping on disturbance cues and has an important implication for understanding heterospecific eavesdropping on chemical cues of adult anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Ling He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ke Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Xiao-Ping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qing-Hua Chen
- Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Tong-Liang Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Ji-Chao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Jian-Guo Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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18
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Choquette JD, Litzgus JD, Gui JXY, Pitcher TE. A systematic review of snake translocations to identify potential tactics for reducing postrelease effects. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14016. [PMID: 36436192 PMCID: PMC10100070 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in the field of reintroduction biology are needed, but understanding of how to effectively conduct translocations, particularly with snakes, is lacking. We conducted a systematic review of snake translocation studies to identify potential tactics for reducing postrelease effects. We included studies on intentional, human-mediated, wild-wild, or captive-wild translocations to any location, regardless of motive or number of snakes translocated. Only studies that presented results for at least 1 of 4 outcomes (movement behavior, site fidelity, survival, or population establishment) were included. We systematically searched 4 databases for published studies and used 5 methods to search the gray literature. Our search and screening criteria yielded 121 data sources, representing 130 translocation cases. We quantified the association between 15 translocation tactics and short-term translocation outcomes by calculating odds ratios and used forest plots to display results. Snake translocations involved 47 species (from mainly 2 families), and most were motivated by research, were monitored for at least 6 months, occurred in North America, and took place from the 1990s onward. The odds of a positive snake translocation outcome were highest with release of captive reared or juvenile snakes, release of social groups together, delayed release, provision of environmental enrichment or social housing before release, or minimization of distance translocated. The odds of a positive outcome were lowest when snakes were released early in their active season. Our results do not demonstrate causation, but outcomes of snake translocation were associated with 8 tactics (4 of which were strongly correlated). In addition to targeted comparative studies, we recommend practitioners consider the possible influence of these tactics when planning snake translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Choquette
- School of Natural SciencesLaurentian UniversitySudburyOntarioCanada
- Wildlife Preservation CanadaGuelphOntarioCanada
| | | | | | - Trevor E. Pitcher
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research & Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of WindsorWindsorOntarioCanada
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19
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Guzy JC, Falk BG, Smith BJ, Willson JD, Reed RN, Aumen NG, Avery ML, Bartoszek IA, Campbell E, Cherkiss MS, Claunch NM, Currylow AF, Dean T, Dixon J, Engeman R, Funck S, Gibble R, Hengstebeck KC, Humphrey JS, Hunter ME, Josimovich JM, Ketterlin J, Kirkland M, Mazzotti FJ, McCleery R, Miller MA, McCollister M, Parker MR, Pittman SE, Rochford M, Romagosa C, Roybal A, Snow RW, Spencer MM, Waddle JH, Yackel Adams AA, Hart KM. Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools. NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.80.90439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination of inaccessible habitat and the cryptic and resilient nature of pythons that thrive in the subtropical environment of southern Florida, rendering them extremely challenging to detect. Here we provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of the science relevant to managing invasive Burmese pythons. We describe existing control tools and review challenges to productive research, identifying key knowledge gaps that would improve future research and decision making for python control.
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20
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Martín J, Rodríguez-Ruiz G, Cuervo JJ, López P. Intersexual and body size-related variation in chemical constituents from feces and cloacal products involved in intraspecific communication of a fossorial amphisbaenian. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15002. [PMID: 36987455 PMCID: PMC10040184 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Many animals rely on chemical cues for intraspecific communication. This is especially important in fossorial animals because visual restrictions of the underground environment limit the opportunities for visual communication. Previous experiments showed the ability of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni to discriminate between several categories of conspecifics based on chemical cues alone. However, in contrast with many other reptile species, T. wiegmanni does not have external secretory glands, but uses uncharacterized secretions from the cloaca in intraspecific chemosensory communication. Methods Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we analyzed the lipophilic compounds from feces and cloacal products freshly extracted from the cloaca of male and female T. wiegmanni. We identified and estimated relative proportions of the compounds found, and tested for intersexual and body-size related differences. Results We found a total of 103 compounds, being some steroids (mainly cholesterol and cholestanol), some alkanes and squalene the most abundant and frequent. Further, we found intersexual differences, with males, especially larger ones, having higher proportions of several alkanes between C13 and C24 and of squalene than females, which had higher proportions of several steroids and also of nonacosane and methylnonacosane than males. We compared these findings with secretions of other animals and discuss the potential role of these compounds and their variations in intraspecific communication of amphisbaenians.
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21
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Mizumoto N, Bourguignon T, Bailey NW. Ancestral sex-role plasticity facilitates the evolution of same-sex sexual behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2212401119. [PMID: 36346843 PMCID: PMC9674213 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212401119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent attempts to explain the evolutionary prevalence of same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) have focused on the role of indiscriminate mating. However, in many cases, SSB may be more complex than simple mistaken identity, instead involving mutual interactions and successful pairing between partners who can detect each other's sex. Behavioral plasticity is essential for the expression of SSB in such circumstances. To test behavioral plasticity's role in the evolution of SSB, we used termites to study how females and males modify their behavior in same-sex versus heterosexual pairs. Male termites follow females in paired "tandems" before mating, and movement patterns are sexually dimorphic. Previous studies observed that adaptive same-sex tandems also occur in both sexes. Here we found that stable same-sex tandems are achieved by behavioral plasticity when one partner adopts the other sex's movements, resulting in behavioral dimorphism. Simulations based on empirically obtained parameters indicated that this socially cued plasticity contributes to pair maintenance, because dimorphic movements improve reunion success upon accidental separation. A systematic literature survey and phylogenetic comparative analysis suggest that the ancestors of modern termites lack consistent sex roles during pairing, indicating that plasticity is inherited from the ancestor. Socioenvironmental induction of ancestral behavioral potential may be of widespread importance to the expression of SSB. Our findings challenge recent arguments for a prominent role of indiscriminate mating behavior in the evolutionary origin and maintenance of SSB across diverse taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Mizumoto
- Evolutionary Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Thomas Bourguignon
- Evolutionary Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Nathan W. Bailey
- School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, United Kingdom
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22
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Kelley MD, Finger JW, Mendonça MT. MALE GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT SOCIAL RESPONSES TO DILUTED MENTAL GLAND PHEROMONES. Behav Processes 2022; 201:104729. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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23
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Zozaya SM, Teasdale LC, Moritz C, Higgie M, Hoskin CJ. Composition of a chemical signalling trait varies with phylogeny and precipitation across an Australian lizard radiation. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:919-933. [PMID: 35665557 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The environment presents challenges to the transmission and detection of animal signalling systems, resulting in selective pressures that can drive signal divergence amongst populations in disparate environments. For chemical signals, climate is a potentially important selective force because factors such as temperature and moisture influence the persistence and detection of chemicals. We investigated an Australian lizard radiation (Heteronotia) to explore relationships between a sexually dimorphic chemical signalling trait (epidermal pore secretions) and two key climate variables: temperature and precipitation. We reconstructed the phylogeny of Heteronotia with exon capture phylogenomics, estimated phylogenetic signal in amongst-lineage chemical variation and assessed how chemical composition relates to temperature and precipitation using multivariate phylogenetic regressions. High estimates of phylogenetic signal indicate that the composition of epidermal pore secretions varies amongst lineages in a manner consistent with Brownian motion, although there are deviations to this, with stark divergences coinciding with two phylogenetic splits. Accounting for phylogenetic non-independence, we found that amongst-lineage chemical variation is associated with geographic variation in precipitation but not temperature. This contrasts somewhat with previous lizard studies, which have generally found an association between temperature and chemical composition. Our results suggest that geographic variation in precipitation can affect the evolution of chemical signalling traits, possibly influencing patterns of divergence amongst lineages and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Zozaya
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luisa C Teasdale
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Craig Moritz
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Megan Higgie
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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24
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Ryerson WG, Schwenk K. The kinematics and functional significance of chemosensory tongue-flicking in northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) on land, in water, and in between. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:852-864. [PMID: 35657730 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As organisms transition between different environments, they must do more than simply move through that transition and those environments. Changes in the environment must be detected via the senses. The types of sensory information and the mechanisms of collecting that information may also change as an individual moves through different environments. We use tongue-flicking in northern water snakes, Nerodia sipedon, to examine the mechanics of sensory behavior as snakes move from terrestrial to aquatic habitats. A combination of high-speed video and mesocosm experiment revealed that water snakes will alter the mechanics of tongue-flicking in the context of their environment. Tongue-flicks on land are distinctive, with multiple oscillations, large protrusion distance, and high velocities. Comparatively, tongue-flicks under water are much shorter events, with reduced protrusion and fewer oscillations. At the surface of the water, in the presence of potential anuran prey, water snakes will tap the tips of the tongue on the surface of the water, without undergoing the full oscillations observed on land or underwater. We attribute the differences in the aerial and underwater tongue-flicks to trade-offs in the physical and chemical properties of the environment. The surface tapping behavior we observed is likely snakes altering their behavior to maximize the encounter and collection of frog-specific chemical cues, which are known to travel on the water's surface. Given the ecological transitions and distinctive biogeographical patterns rooted in water snake ecology, there are likely more examples of changing sensory mechanics to be discovered upon further investigation. All our knowledge begins with the senses. (Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, 1781).
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Ryerson
- Biology Department, Saint Anselm College. 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
| | - Kurt Schwenk
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
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25
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Mancero EJ, Valle CA, Rowe JW, Moore JA, Clark DL. Sexual Selection in San Cristóbal Lava Lizards (Microlophus bivittatus): A Test of Male Body Size Using Lizard Robots. HERPETOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-20-00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilio J. Mancero
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá, Avenida Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A. Valle
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá, Avenida Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
| | - John W. Rowe
- Department of Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI 48801, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Moore
- Biology Department, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA
| | - David L. Clark
- Department of Biology, Alma College, Alma, MI 48801, USA
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Domínguez‐Godoy MA, Hudson R, Montoya B, Bastiaans E, Díaz de la Vega‐Pérez AH. Too cool to fight: Is ambient temperature associated with male aggressive behavior in the mesquite lizard? J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Domínguez‐Godoy
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Tlaxcala Mexico
- Laboratorio de Herpetología Departamento de Zoología Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - R. Hudson
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - B. Montoya
- Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Tlaxcala Mexico
| | - E. Bastiaans
- State University of New York College at Oneonta Oneonta NY USA
| | - A. H. Díaz de la Vega‐Pérez
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología‐Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Tlaxcala Mexico
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27
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Katlein N, Ray M, Wilkinson A, Claude J, Kiskowski M, Wang B, Glaberman S, Chiari Y. Does colour impact responses to images in geckos? J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Katlein
- Department of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile AL USA
| | - M. Ray
- Department of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile AL USA
| | - A. Wilkinson
- School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
| | - J. Claude
- UMR UM/CNRS/IRD/EPHE Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier MontpellierFrance
| | - M. Kiskowski
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of South Alabama Mobile AL USA
| | - B. Wang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of South Alabama Mobile AL USA
| | - S. Glaberman
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University Fairfax VA USA
| | - Y. Chiari
- Department of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile AL USA
- Department of Biology George Mason University Fairfax VA USA
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Hamilton J, Gartland KN, Jones M, Fuller G. Behavioral Assessment of Six Reptile Species during a Temporary Zoo Closure and Reopening. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12081034. [PMID: 35454280 PMCID: PMC9030525 DOI: 10.3390/ani12081034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Reptile welfare in captivity is vastly understudied given the diverse taxa and the large number of individuals held in zoos and aquariums. The varied natural ecologies of reptiles have the potential to impact how they perceive different stimuli, including zoo visitors. The current study aimed to explore the impact of visitors through observations on small groups of six reptile species during a temporary zoo closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic by measuring behavioral diversity, use of enclosure space, and select behaviors. The majority of the species showed intermediate responses to the change in visitor presence that varied in valence; however, some responses were more pronounced. Abstract Although reptiles are commonly housed in zoos and aquariums, their welfare is understudied for the diversity of species housed and the taxon’s current captive population size. The sensory abilities of reptiles have adapted to the varied ecological niches they inhabit, and these evolutionary adaptations impact how reptiles perceive the stimuli around them—including zoo visitors. This study aimed to assess visitor effects on small groups of six reptile species during a temporary zoo closure due to COVID-19 by measuring behavioral diversity, use of space (measured by a spread of participation index), and select behaviors. The species assessed showed diverse responses. The Catalina Island rattlesnakes (Crotalus catalinensis) demonstrated increased investigation and behavioral diversity after the zoo reopened compared to when the zoo was closed, but the European glass lizards (Pseudopus apodus) showed decreases in the amount of time spent exposed to the observers’ view and in their evenness of space use after the zoo was reopened to visitors. The other species, including beaded lizards (Heloderma horridum), Sonoran spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura macrolopha), Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa), and dwarf caimans (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), had intermediate changes in their responses to visitor presence.
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29
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Predictive Factors of Chemical and Visual Sensory Organ Size: The Roles of Sex, Environment, and Evolution. Evol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-021-09554-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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30
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Pheromone communication among sexes of the garden cross spider Araneus diadematus. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 108:38. [PMID: 34448943 PMCID: PMC8397638 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Chemical communication plays a fundamental role in many aspects of an animal’s life from assessing habitat quality to finding mating partners. Behavioural observations show that chemical communication likewise plays an important role in spiders, but the contexts and the substances involved are little explored. Here, we investigate the chemical communication in the garden cross spider Araneus diadematus (Clerck, 1757) between and within the sexes. Using choice trials, we demonstrate that males are attracted to odours of adult females, but not to those of subadult females. Our data further suggest that adult females avoid odours of conspecific adult females, possibly in order to reduce reproductive competition with other females. Cuticle and silk extracts as well as headspace samples of subadult and adult virgin females were analysed via GC–MS. Available candidate compounds for the female sex pheromone were tested via electroantennography on palps (electropalpography) of adult virgin females and on females in behavioural trials. We propose sulcatone (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one) as a candidate substance for the female volatile pheromone and several long-chained alkanes and alcohols as candidates for contact pheromones. Apart from demonstrating that attraction of males to females depends on the latter’s developmental stage, our study suggests that pheromones can also play an important role between females, an aspect that requires further attention.
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31
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Campos SM, Belkasim SS. Chemical Communication in Lizards and a Potential Role for Vasotocin in Modulating Social Interactions. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:205-220. [PMID: 33940600 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lizards use chemical communication to mediate many reproductive, competitive, and social behaviors, but the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying chemical communication in lizards are not well understood and understudied. By implementing a neuroendocrine approach to the study of chemical communication in reptiles, we can address a major gap in our knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms shaping chemical communication in vertebrates. The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homolog vasopressin are responsible for a broad spectrum of diversity in competitive and reproductive strategies in many vertebrates, mediating social behavior through the chemosensory modality. In this review, we posit that, though limited, the available data on AVT-mediated chemical communication in lizards reveal intriguing patterns that suggest AVT plays a more prominent role in lizard chemosensory behavior than previously appreciated. We argue that these results warrant more research into the mechanisms used by AVT to modify the performance of chemosensory behavior and responses to conspecific chemical signals. We first provide a broad overview of the known social functions of chemical signals in lizards, the glandular sources of chemical signal production in lizards (e.g., epidermal secretory glands), and the chemosensory detection methods and mechanisms used by lizards. Then, we review the locations of vasotocinergic populations and neuronal projections in lizard brains, as well as sites of peripheral receptors for AVT in lizards. Finally, we end with a case study in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis), discussing findings from recently published work on the impact of AVT in adult males on chemosensory communication during social interactions, adding new data from a similar study in which we tested the impact of AVT on chemosensory behavior of adult females. We offer concluding remarks on addressing several fundamental questions regarding the role of AVT in chemosensory communication and social behavior in lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Campos
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Selma S Belkasim
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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32
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Schubert N, Nichols HJ, Winternitz JC. How can the MHC mediate social odor via the microbiota community? A deep dive into mechanisms. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have long been linked to odor signaling and recently researchers’ attention has focused on MHC structuring of microbial communities and how this may in turn impact odor. However, understanding of the mechanisms through which the MHC could affect the microbiota to produce a chemical signal that is both reliable and strong enough to ensure unambiguous transmission of behaviorally important information remains poor. This is largely because empirical studies are rare, predictions are unclear, and the underlying immunological mechanisms governing MHC–microbiota interactions are often neglected. Here, we review the immunological processes involving MHC class II (MHC-II) that could affect the commensal community. Focusing on immunological and medical research, we provide background knowledge for nonimmunologists by describing key players within the vertebrate immune system relating to MHC-II molecules (which present extracellular-derived peptides, and thus interact with extracellular commensal microbes). We then systematically review the literature investigating MHC–odor–microbiota interactions in animals and identify areas for future research. These insights will help to design studies that are able to explore the role of MHC-II and the microbiota in the behavior of wild populations in their natural environment and consequently propel this research area forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Schubert
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hazel J Nichols
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Jamie C Winternitz
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
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33
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Ibáñez A, Fritz U, Auer M, Martínez-Silvestre A, Praschag P, Załugowicz E, Podkowa D, Pabijan M. Evolutionary history of mental glands in turtles reveals a single origin in an aquatic ancestor and recurrent losses independent of macrohabitat. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10396. [PMID: 34001926 PMCID: PMC8129087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89520-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the relevance of chemical communication in vertebrates, comparative examinations of macroevolutionary trends in chemical signaling systems are scarce. Many turtle and tortoise species are reliant on chemical signals to communicate in aquatic and terrestrial macrohabitats, and many of these species possess specialized integumentary organs, termed mental glands (MGs), involved in the production of chemosignals. We inferred the evolutionary history of MGs and tested the impact of macrohabitat on their evolution. Inference of ancestral states along a time-calibrated phylogeny revealed a single origin in the ancestor of the subclade Testudinoidea. Thus, MGs represent homologous structures in all descending lineages. We also inferred multiple independent losses of MGs in both terrestrial and aquatic clades. Although MGs first appeared in an aquatic turtle (the testudinoid ancestor), macrohabitat seems to have had little effect on MG presence or absence in descendants. Instead, we find clade-specific evolutionary trends, with some clades showing increased gland size and morphological complexity, whereas others exhibiting reduction or MG loss. In sister clades inhabiting similar ecological niches, contrasting patterns (loss vs. maintenance) may occur. We conclude that the multiple losses of MGs in turtle clades have not been influenced by macrohabitat and that other factors have affected MG evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ibáñez
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland ,grid.10789.370000 0000 9730 2769Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Uwe Fritz
- grid.438154.f0000 0001 0944 0975Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Dresden, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Auer
- grid.438154.f0000 0001 0944 0975Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Dresden, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Emilia Załugowicz
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Dagmara Podkowa
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Maciej Pabijan
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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34
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Goldberg JK, Pintel G, Pruett JA, Weiss SL. Whiptail lizards (
Aspidoscelis exsanguis
) recognize invertebrate prey via cuticular hydrocarbons. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay K. Goldberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Arizona Tucson AZ USA
- Department of Biology Indiana University Bloomington IN USA
| | | | - Jake A. Pruett
- Department of Biology Indiana State University Terre Haute IN USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant OK USA
| | - Stacey L. Weiss
- Department of Biology University of Puget Sound Tacoma WA USA
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35
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Thornton AM, Schuett GW, Swift JA. Urates of colubroid snakes are different from those of boids and pythonids. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Uricotelic species, such as squamate reptiles, birds and insects, effectively eliminate nitrogen as uric acid in a solid form commonly called urates. Observations made over a decade suggested that the voided urates produced by colubroids (modern snake species) exhibit remarkable differences from those of boids and pythons (ancient snake species). Here, we compare the urates generated by eight captive snake species fed the same diet. Although all fresh urates were wet at the time of excretion, those produced by modern snakes dried to a powdery solid, whereas those of ancient species dried to a rock-hard mass that was tightly adherent to surfaces. Powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses performed on voided urates produced by five modern and three ancient snakes confirmed their underlying chemical and structural differences. Urates excreted by ancient snakes were amorphous uric acid, whereas urates from modern snakes consisted primarily of ammonium acid urate, with some uric acid dihydrate. These compositional differences indicate that snakes have more than one mechanism to manage nitrogenous waste. Why different species use different nitrogen-handling pathways is not yet known, but the answer might be related to key differences in metabolism, physiology or, in the case of ancient snakes, the potential use of urates in social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon W Schuett
- Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo, NM, USA
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Swift
- Department of Chemistry, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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36
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Abstract
Female primates signal impending ovulation with a suite of sexual signals. Studies of these signals have focussed on visual, and to a lesser extent, acoustic signals, neglecting olfactory signals. We aimed to investigate the information content of female olfactory signals in captive olive baboons (Papio anubis) and relate these to the female fertile period. We studied eight adult females living in four groups at the CNRS Station de Primatologie, Rousset-sur-Arc, France. We used vaginal cytology to detect ovulation. We investigated the volatile component of odour signals using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found a total of 74 volatile compounds, of which we tentatively identified 25, including several ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, volatile fatty acids and hydrocarbons that have been identified in odour profiles of other primates. Our results show that vaginal odour intensity differs with sexual cycle stage suggesting that odour might play a role in signalling female baboon fertility. We found differences in vaginal odour between females living in all-female and in mixed sex groups but we could not distinguish the effects of group composition, female age and identity. This study of olfactory signalling improves our understanding of how female primates advertise their sexual receptivity.
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37
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Kabir MS, Venkatesan R, Thaker M. Multiple Sensory Modalities in Diurnal Geckos Is Associated with the Signaling Environment and Evolutionary Constraints. Integr Org Biol 2021; 2:obaa027. [PMID: 33791567 PMCID: PMC7891680 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To be effective, animal signals need to be detectable in the environment, but their development and expression require resources. For multimodal communication, investment in elaborating traits in one modality could reduce the elaboration of traits in other modalities. In Cnemaspis geckos, chemical signals for conspecific communication pre-dated the evolution of visual signals, allowing us to examine the potential trade-off in signal elaboration and the current habitat associations with signal use. We studied five species of Cnemaspis and quantified visual (patch size, color characteristics) and chemical (secretory composition) traits in males, as well as key environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, light) in each of their habitats. Within species, we found some trade-off in the elaboration of signals, as the strength of several components in the visual and chemical modalities were negatively associated. Strength of some signal components in each modality was also independently associated with specific environmental parameters that affect their detection (visual traits) and persistence (chemical traits). Specifically, species with larger, brighter, and more saturated color patches were found in habitats where the brightness and chroma of light were lower. Furthermore, environments with higher substrate temperature and higher relative humidity harbored species that produced secretions with a higher percentage of saturated and aromatic compounds. Thus, the elaboration of multimodal signals in this group of Cnemaspis geckos seems to increase the efficiency of communication in the signaling-environment, but the strength of signals in different modalities is constrained by trade-offs in signal expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Kabir
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560 012, India
| | - R Venkatesan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560 065, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741 246, India
| | - M Thaker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560 012, India
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38
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Romero-Diaz C, Pruett JA, Campos SM, Ossip-Drahos AG, Zúñiga-Vega JJ, Vital-García C, Hews DK, Martins EP. Evolutionary loss of a signalling colour is linked to increased response to conspecific chemicals. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210256. [PMID: 33784866 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioural responses to communicative signals combine input from multiple sensory modalities and signal compensation theory predicts that evolutionary shifts in one sensory modality could impact the response to signals in other sensory modalities. Here, we conducted two types of field experiments with 11 species spread across the lizard genus Sceloporus to test the hypothesis that the loss of visual signal elements affects behavioural responses to a chemical signal (conspecific scents) or to a predominantly visual signal (a conspecific lizard), both of which are used in intraspecific communication. We found that three species that have independently lost a visual signal trait, a colourful belly patch, responded to conspecific scents with increased chemosensory behaviour compared to a chemical control, while species with the belly patch did not. However, most species, with and without the belly patch, responded to live conspecifics with increased visual displays of similar magnitude. While aggressive responses to visual stimuli are taxonomically widespread in Sceloporus, our results suggest that increased chemosensory response behaviour is linked to colour patch loss. Thus, interactions across sensory modalities could constrain the evolution of complex signalling phenotypes, thereby influencing signal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jake A Pruett
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK, USA
| | - Stephanie M Campos
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alison G Ossip-Drahos
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - J Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Cuauhcihuatl Vital-García
- Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, México
| | - Diana K Hews
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA
| | - Emília P Martins
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Winandy L, Di Gesu L, Lemoine M, Jacob S, Martin J, Ducamp C, Huet M, Legrand D, Cote J. Maternal and personal information mediates the use of social cues about predation risk. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Organisms can gain information about predation risks from their parents, their own personal experience, and their conspecifics and adjust their behavior to alleviate these risks. These different sources of information can, however, provide conflicting information due to spatial and temporal variation of the environment. This raises the question of how these cues are integrated to produce adaptive antipredator behavior. We investigated how common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) adjust the use of conspecific cues about predation risk depending on whether the information is maternally or personally acquired. We experimentally manipulated the presence of predator scent in gestating mothers and their offspring in a full-crossed design. We then tested the consequences for social information use by monitoring offspring social response to conspecifics previously exposed to predator cues or not. Lizards were more attracted to the scent of conspecifics having experienced predation cues when they had themselves no personal information about predation risk. In contrast, they were more repulsed by conspecific scent when they had personally obtained information about predation risk. However, the addition of maternal information about predation risk canceled out this interactive effect between personal and social information: lizards were slightly more attracted to conspecific scent when these two sources of information about predation risk were in agreement. A chemical analysis of lizard scent revealed that exposure to predator cues modified the chemical composition of lizard scents, a change that might underlie lizards’ use of social information. Our results highlight the importance of considering multiple sources of information while studying antipredator defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurane Winandy
- CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ENFA; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution and Diversité Biologique), 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- CNRS, UMR5321, Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale, 2 route du cnrs, Moulis, France
| | - Lucie Di Gesu
- CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ENFA; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution and Diversité Biologique), 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
| | - Marion Lemoine
- CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ENFA; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution and Diversité Biologique), 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
| | - Staffan Jacob
- CNRS, UMR5321, Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale, 2 route du cnrs, Moulis, France
| | - José Martin
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christine Ducamp
- CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ENFA; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution and Diversité Biologique), 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
| | - Michèle Huet
- CNRS, UMR5321, Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale, 2 route du cnrs, Moulis, France
| | - Delphine Legrand
- CNRS, UMR5321, Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale, 2 route du cnrs, Moulis, France
| | - Julien Cote
- CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ENFA; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution and Diversité Biologique), 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
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40
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Martín J, Raya-García E, Ortega J, López P. Offspring and adult chemosensory recognition by an amphisbaenian reptile may allow maintaining familiar links in the fossorial environment. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10780. [PMID: 33604182 PMCID: PMC7866894 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kin recognition is a phenomenon with an important function in maintaining cohesive social groups in animals. Several studies have examined parent–offspring recognition in species with direct parental care. Few studies have, however, explored parent–offspring recognition in animals that, at best, only show apparent indirect parental care, such as some reptiles. In this study, we investigated reciprocal parent–offspring recognition in the fossorial amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni, a viviparous species that shows potential stable ‘family groups’ in the form of parent-offspring long-term associations. We examined whether adult males and females could discriminate via chemical cues between familiar juveniles which associate with them within their family groups, and are potentially their offspring, to that of unfamiliar juveniles, and whether juveniles could discriminate between familiar adult males and females of their family group (probably their parents) and unfamiliar unrelated adults. We measured tongue flick behavior to study chemosensory responses to the scent of conspecifics. We found that adult female amphisbaenians, but not males, could discriminate between scents of familiar and unfamiliar juveniles. Juvenile amphisbaenians did not discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar adult females, but recognize familiar from unfamiliar males. We discuss our results of parent–offspring recognition according to its potential social function in an ecological fossorial context where visibility is limited and chemosensory kin recognition may contribute to the establishment of stable family groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ernesto Raya-García
- Laboratorio de Herpetología, Instituto de Investigaciones Sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Jesús Ortega
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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41
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Baeckens S, Whiting MJ. Investment in chemical signalling glands facilitates the evolution of sociality in lizards. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202438. [PMID: 33593182 PMCID: PMC7935108 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of sociality and traits that correlate with, or predict, sociality, have been the focus of considerable recent study. In order to reduce the social conflict that ultimately comes with group living, and foster social tolerance, individuals need reliable information about group members and potential rivals. Chemical signals are one such source of information and are widely used in many animal taxa, including lizards. Here, we take a phylogenetic comparative approach to test the hypothesis that social grouping correlates with investment in chemical signalling. We used the presence of epidermal glands as a proxy of chemical investment and considered social grouping as the occurrence of social groups containing both adults and juveniles. Based on a dataset of 911 lizard species, our models strongly supported correlated evolution between social grouping and chemical signalling glands. The rate of transition towards social grouping from a background of ‘epidermal glands present’ was an order of a magnitude higher than from a background of ‘no epidermal glands’. Our results highlight the potential importance of chemical signalling during the evolution of sociality and the need for more focused studies on the role of chemical communication in facilitating information transfer about individual and group identity, and ameliorating social conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Baeckens
- Functional Morphology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Martin J Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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42
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Romero-Diaz C, Campos SM, Herrmann MA, Soini HA, Novotny MV, Hews DK, Martins EP. Composition and compound proportions affect the response to complex chemical signals in a spiny lizard. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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43
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Kabir MS, Thaker M. Does the addition of a new signalling trait enhance receiver responses in diurnal geckos? Behav Processes 2021; 184:104322. [PMID: 33460727 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Animal signals in multiple modalities expands the opportunity for effective communication. Among diurnal geckos of the genus Cnemaspis, chemical signalling traits preceded the evolution of visual traits. Males of all species possess chemical secreting ventral glands, but only in some species, males also express yellow gular patches. This difference in the expression of unimodal or multimodal signalling traits between closely related species provided us with an opportunity to understand the use of multimodal signals for communication. We studied receiver responses in Cnemaspis indica, a sexually monochromatic species, and in C. littoralis, a species where males possess yellow gulars. We performed behavioural trials where individuals of each species were exposed to only chemical stimuli, only visual stimuli, or both chemical and visual stimuli simultaneously from male and female conspecifics. Our results show that only chemical stimuli were necessary and sufficient to elicit responses in males and females of C. indica as well as in females of C. littoralis. However, males of the dimorphic C. littoralis required the multimodal stimulus to elicit movement-based responses. Our results suggest that the evolution of colour traits in diurnal geckos is associated with a partial shift in some receiver responses toward multimodal communication, with no addition to the behavioural repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md S Kabir
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560 012, India
| | - M Thaker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560 012, India.
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44
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Behavioural discrimination of male mental gland secretions of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) by both sexes. Behav Processes 2021; 183:104314. [PMID: 33421529 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemical communication is important for mate choice, especially at long distances in fragmented populations. The gopher tortoise is a social species that is threatened in the southeast U.S. due to habitat fragmentation and decline. One consequence of habitat loss is reduced mating opportunities, yet chemical signalling in gopher tortoises is relatively under-studied. Here, we investigated chemoreception of tortoise discrimination of chin secretions, or mental gland (MG) secretions. To assess conspecific recognition of male MG secretions, we conducted two paired-choice experiments: one with a neutral odorant control (NC; distilled water) and one with a pungent odorant control (PC; acetone) vs. male MG secretions. Behaviours were defined a priori, and their durations were quantified relative to treatments. Each sex spent significantly more time with MG secretions vs. acetone control during the PC study (p= 0.001). Each sex also sniffed MG swabs more frequently in both studies (PC study: p=0.0003; NC study: p=0.001). A principal components analysis of behavioural durations from the PC study identified one component with a significant treatment effect performed to MG secretions (p=0.0003), including the behaviours sniffing, head bobbing, biting, and eating near a swab. Our study provides the first chemical-behavioural bioassay of MG secretions from male gopher tortoises, suggesting MG secretions may be a source of pheromones.
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45
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Carvalho ALG, Jeckel AM, Nisa C, Luna MC, Piantoni C. A novel epidermal gland type in lizards (α-gland): structural organization, histochemistry, protein profile and phylogenetic origins. Zool J Linn Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Chemical signalling is an essential component of the communication system of lizards, and epidermal glands are responsible for producing semiochemicals that regulate many behavioural interactions. Two types of epidermal glands have been previously described for lizards: follicular and generation glands. Generation glands are characterized by the aggregation of novel glandular cell types in the epithelium and the lack of a lumen or external pore. Despite the fact that several subtypes of generation glands have been recognized over the years, the morphology, taxonomic distribution, function and evolutionary origins of generation glands remain nearly unexplored in Neotropical clades. Here, we describe a novel escutcheon-type generation gland (‘α-gland’) for lizards of the South American family Tropiduridae, characterize its structural and ultrastructural organization, and study the homology of the constituent parts in a phylogenetic framework. The α-glands emerged in the ancestor of Eurolophosaurus, Plica, Strobilurus, Tropidurus and Uracentron, and are found in at least 39 species with diverse ecological habits. We preliminarily analysed the protein profile of α-glands and discovered differential expression of protein components between sexes. Our investigations change the general view about epidermal gland homology, leading us to argue that generation and follicular glands are possibly more closely related functionally and evolutionarily than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L G Carvalho
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Travessa, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana M Jeckel
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Travessa, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Nisa
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Travessa, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - María Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’. Av. Ángel Gallardo, Buenos Aires, DJR, Argentina
| | - Carla Piantoni
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Travessa, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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46
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Buxton VL, Enos JK, Sperry JH, Ward MP. A review of conspecific attraction for habitat selection across taxa. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:12690-12699. [PMID: 33304487 PMCID: PMC7713925 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species across taxa select habitat based on conspecific presence, known as conspecific attraction. Studies that document conspecific attraction typically provide social information (i.e., cues that indicate the presence of a given species) and then determine if a given species is more likely to settle at locations where the social information is provided compared to those locations that do not. Although the number of studies examining conspecific attraction has grown in recent years, a comprehensive review has not yet been undertaken. Here, we conducted a review of the literature and found 151 studies investigating conspecific attraction across eight taxa. We found that conspecific attraction is widespread with between 80% and 100% of studies, depending on taxa, documenting positive associations between habitat selection and the presence of conspecific cues. Conspecific attraction has been documented more frequently in bird and fish species with less attention given to invertebrate and mammal species. We use the patterns we found to (a) provide an overview of the current state of research on conspecific attraction and (b) discuss how important factors, such as cue characteristics and life history traits, may play a role in shaping conspecific attraction patterns within and across taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L. Buxton
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
| | - Janice K. Enos
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and BehaviorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
| | | | - Michael P. Ward
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
- Illinois Natural History SurveyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignILUSA
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47
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Brock KM, Baeckens S, Donihue CM, Martín J, Pafilis P, Edwards DL. Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10284. [PMID: 33194436 PMCID: PMC7649010 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Color polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as striking phenotypic variation is maintained within a single species. Color and other traits mediate social interactions, and stable polymorphism within a population is hypothesized to be related to correlational selection of other phenotypic traits among color morphs. Here, we report on a previously unknown throat color polymorphism in the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and examine morph-correlated differences in traits important to social behavior and communication: maximum bite force capacity and chemical signal profile. We find that both sexes of P. erhardii have three color morphs: orange, yellow, and white. Moreover, orange males are significantly larger and tend to bite harder than yellow and white males. Although the established color polymorphism only partially matches the observed intraspecific variation in chemical signal signatures, the chemical profile of the secretions of orange males is significantly divergent from that of white males. Our findings suggest that morph colors are related to differences in traits that are crucial for social interactions and competitive ability, illustrating the need to look beyond color when studying polymorphism evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsey M Brock
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America.,Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Colin M Donihue
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, Greece.,Zoological Museum, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Danielle L Edwards
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America
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48
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Raya-García E, Suazo-Ortuño I, Campos-García J, Martín J, Alvarado-Díaz J, Mendoza-Ramírez E. Chemical signal divergence among populations influences behavioral discrimination in the whiptail lizard Aspidoscelis lineattissimus (squamata: teiidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02931-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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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49
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Bernhardt JR, O'Connor MI, Sunday JM, Gonzalez A. Life in fluctuating environments. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190454. [PMID: 33131443 PMCID: PMC7662201 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Variability in the environment defines the structure and dynamics of all living systems, from organisms to ecosystems. Species have evolved traits and strategies that allow them to detect, exploit and predict the changing environment. These traits allow organisms to maintain steady internal conditions required for physiological functioning through feedback mechanisms that allow internal conditions to remain at or near a set-point despite a fluctuating environment. In addition to feedback, many organisms have evolved feedforward processes, which allow them to adjust in anticipation of an expected future state of the environment. Here we provide a framework describing how feedback and feedforward mechanisms operating within organisms can generate effects across scales of organization, and how they allow living systems to persist in fluctuating environments. Daily, seasonal and multi-year cycles provide cues that organisms use to anticipate changes in physiologically relevant environmental conditions. Using feedforward mechanisms, organisms can exploit correlations in environmental variables to prepare for anticipated future changes. Strategies to obtain, store and act on information about the conditional nature of future events are advantageous and are evidenced in widespread phenotypes such as circadian clocks, social behaviour, diapause and migrations. Humans are altering the ways in which the environment fluctuates, causing correlations between environmental variables to become decoupled, decreasing the reliability of cues. Human-induced environmental change is also altering sensory environments and the ability of organisms to detect cues. Recognizing that living systems combine feedback and feedforward processes is essential to understanding their responses to current and future regimes of environmental fluctuations. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Integrative research perspectives on marine conservation’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey R Bernhardt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada H3A 1B1
| | - Mary I O'Connor
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Jennifer M Sunday
- Department of Biology, Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada H3A 1B1
| | - Andrew Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada H3A 1B1
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50
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Colosimo G, Di Marco G, D'Agostino A, Gismondi A, Vera CA, Gerber GP, Scardi M, Canini A, Gentile G. Chemical signatures of femoral pore secretions in two syntopic but reproductively isolated species of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus marthae and C. subcristatus). Sci Rep 2020; 10:14314. [PMID: 32868803 PMCID: PMC7458923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71176-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The only known population of Conolophus marthae (Reptilia, Iguanidae) and a population of C. subcristatus are syntopic on Wolf Volcano (Isabela Island, Galápagos). No gene flow occurs suggesting that effective reproductive isolating mechanisms exist between these two species. Chemical signature of femoral pore secretions is important for intra- and inter-specific chemical communication in squamates. As a first step towards testing the hypothesis that chemical signals could mediate reproductive isolation between C. marthae and C. subcristatus, we compared the chemical profiles of femoral gland exudate from adults caught on Wolf Volcano. We compared data from three different years and focused on two years in particular when femoral gland exudate was collected from adults during the reproductive season. Samples were processed using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). We identified over 100 different chemical compounds. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS) was used to graphically represent the similarity among individuals based on their chemical profiles. Results from non-parametric statistical tests indicate that the separation between the two species is significant, suggesting that the chemical profile signatures of the two species may help prevent hybridization between C. marthae and C. subcristatus. Further investigation is needed to better resolve environmental influence and temporal reproductive patterns in determining the variation of biochemical profiles in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Colosimo
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027-7000, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Di Marco
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia D'Agostino
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos A Vera
- Galápagos National Park Directorate, Technical Biodiversity Research, Av. C. Darwin, Puerto Ayora, 200350, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Glenn P Gerber
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027-7000, USA
| | - Michele Scardi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gentile
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy.
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