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Ma M, Luo S, Tang X, Chen Q. Age structure and growth pattern of a high-altitude lizard population based on age determination by skeletochronology. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:491-500. [PMID: 35226410 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Age determination provides crucial data regarding the life history of a species. Skeletochronology is considered to be a reliable method for age determination but is seldom applied to the genus Phrynocephalus (Agamidae) as it requires careful bone histological analysis to determine the formation of the lines of arrested growth (LAGs). We analyzed LAGs in different bones of Phrynocephalus vlangalii, a small, high-altitude lizard, and demonstrated that the phalanges are the best materials for skeletochronology in this species. We also found that the proximal half of the phalangeal diaphysis exhibits the most complete LAGs because of the unidirectional longitudinal growth of the phalange. Histologically, as the embryo bone that developed during the embryonic period was preserved even in very old individuals, no LAGs were eroded by endosteal resorption in the phalanges. The maximum age was 4 years for males and 5 years for females. It was determined that the age at maturity was 3 years for males and 2 or 3 years for females. On the basis of age determination, the age structures of both sexes were compared, and age-specific growth differences between the sexes were also analyzed. No differences in the snout-vent length were observed between sexes in any age group. However, the tail length of males aged 3 and above was significantly longer than that of females. Thus, the use of phalanges in the age determination of P. vlangalii is effective and can be widely applied to the ecological studies of this species as well as other small lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ma
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shuang Luo
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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2
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Zhu X, Qiu X, Tang X, Qi Y. Tail display is regulated by anaerobic metabolism in an Asian agamid lizard. Integr Zool 2021; 16:729-740. [PMID: 33733614 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism underlying signal variation is an important goal in the study of animal communication. Several potential causes have been proposed for signal variation, including environmental noise (e.g. wind, sound), energy limitation, and predation risk, among others, but the physiological control of many signals are often unclear. Here, we examined the correlation between tail display signal variation and energy metabolic activity using an Asian agamid lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii. Individual tail display signals were observed in the field, and blood lactate concentration as well as 2 energy metabolic enzymes was assayed. Our results showed that average tail coil speed was positively associated with blood lactate concentration, while tail coil duration was negatively associated with LDH activity. We also found that average tail lash speed was positively associated with blood lactate concentration, suggesting that the tail display behavior of P. vlangalii was regulated by anaerobic metabolism. Furthermore, the correlation between tail display behavior and energy metabolism was not sex-dependent. Taken together, our research provides insight into the physiological mechanisms underlying tail display variation in lizards, and suggests that tail display variation likely transmits important information on individual body condition and resource holding potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Zhu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese academy of sciences, Chengdu, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Qiu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese academy of sciences, Chengdu, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yin Qi
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese academy of sciences, Chengdu, China
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Barr JI, Somaweera R, Godfrey SS, Gardner MG, Bateman PW. When one tail isn't enough: abnormal caudal regeneration in lepidosaurs and its potential ecological impacts. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1479-1496. [PMID: 32583608 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal caudal regeneration, the production of additional tails through regeneration events, occurs in lepidosaurs as a result of incomplete autotomy or sufficient caudal wound. Despite being widely known to occur, documented events generally are limited to opportunistic single observations - hindering the understanding of the ecological importance of caudal regeneration. Here we compiled and reviewed a robust global database of both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed records of abnormal regeneration events in lepidosaurs published over the last 400 years. Using this database, we qualitatively and quantitatively assessed the occurrence and characteristics of abnormal tail regeneration among individuals, among species, and among populations. We identified 425 observations from 366 records pertaining to 175 species of lepidosaurs across 22 families from 63 different countries. At an individual level, regenerations ranged from bifurcations to hexafurcations; from normal regeneration from the original tail to multiple regenerations arising from a single point; and from growth from the distal third to the proximal third of the tail. Species showing abnormal regenerations included those with intra-vertebral, inter-vertebral or no autotomy planes, indicating that abnormal regenerations evidently occur across lepidosaurs regardless of whether the species demonstrates caudal autotomy or not. Within populations, abnormal regenerations were estimated at a mean ± SD of 2.75 ± 3.41% (range 0.1-16.7%). There is a significant lack of experimental studies to understand the potential ecological impacts of regeneration on the fitness and life history of individuals and populations. We hypothesised that abnormal regeneration may affect lepidosaurs via influencing kinematics of locomotion, restrictions in escape mechanisms, anti-predation tactics, and intra- and inter-specific signalling. Behaviourally testing these hypotheses would be an important future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I Barr
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, 6014, Australia
| | - Ruchira Somaweera
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA, 6014, Australia
| | - Stephanie S Godfrey
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.,The Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
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Hudson SB, Robertson MW, Wilcoxen TE. Fecal Glucocorticoid Response to Periodic Social Stress in Male Green Anoles, Anolis carolinensis. COPEIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1643/cp-19-192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Spencer B. Hudson
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322; . Send reprint requests to this address
| | - Marianne W. Robertson
- Department of Biology, Millikin University, 1184 W Main Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522; (MWR) ; and (TEW)
| | - Travis E. Wilcoxen
- Department of Biology, Millikin University, 1184 W Main Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522; (MWR) ; and (TEW)
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5
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Bruinjé AC, Coelho FEA, Paiva TMA, Costa GC. Aggression, color signaling, and performance of the male color morphs of a Brazilian lizard (Tropidurus semitaeniatus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Peters RA, Ramos JA, Hernandez J, Wu Y, Qi Y. Social context affects tail displays by Phrynocephalus vlangalii lizards from China. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31573. [PMID: 27526625 PMCID: PMC4985696 DOI: 10.1038/srep31573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition between animals for limited resources often involves signaling to establish ownership or dominance. In some species, the defended resource relates to suitable thermal conditions and refuge from predators. This is particularly true of burrow-dwelling lizards such as the Qinghai toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii), which are found on the Tibetan plateau of western China. Male and female lizards occupy separate burrows, which are vital for anti-predator behaviour during warmer months when lizards are active and, crucially, provide shelter from harsh winter conditions. These lizards are readily observed signaling by means of tail displays on the sand dunes they inhabit. Given the selective pressure to hold such a resource, both males and females should exhibit territorial behaviour and we considered this study system to examine in detail how social context influences motion based territorial signaling. We confirmed that territorial signaling was used by both sexes, and by adopting a novel strategy that permitted 3D reconstruction of tail displays, we identified significant variation due to social context. However, signal structure was not related to lizard morphology. Clearly, the burrow is a highly valued resource and we suggest that additional variation in signaling behaviour might be mediated by resource quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Peters
- Animal Behaviour Group Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jose A. Ramos
- Animal Behaviour Group Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Juan Hernandez
- Animal Behaviour Group Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yayong Wu
- Department of Herpetology Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yin Qi
- Department of Herpetology Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Abalos J, Pérez i de Lanuza G, Carazo P, Font E. The role of male coloration in the outcome of staged contests in the European common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). BEHAVIOUR 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Colour signals play a key role in regulating the intensity and outcome of animal contests. Males of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) show conspicuous ventrolateral ultraviolet (UV)-blue and black patches. In addition, some populations express a striking ventral colour polymorphism (i.e., discrete orange, white and yellow morphs). In this study, we set out to evaluate the potential signalling function of these colour patches by staging pairwise combats between 60 size-matched adult lizards (20 per morph). Combats were held in a neutral arena, with each lizard facing rivals from the three morphs in a tournament with a balanced design. We then calculated a fighting ability ranking using the Bradley–Terry model, and used it to explore whether ventral colour morph, the size of UV-blue and black patches or the spectral characteristics of UV-blue patches (i.e., brightness, hue, chroma) are good predictors of fighting ability. We did not find an effect of the UV-blue patches on contest outcome, but the size of black patches emerged as a good predictor of fighting ability. We also found that winners were more aggressive when facing rivals with black patches of similar size, suggesting that black patches play a role in rival assessment and fighting rules. Finally, we found that orange males lost fights against heteromorphic males more often than yellow or white males. In light of these results, we discuss the potential signalling function of ventrolateral and ventral colour patches in mediating agonistic encounters in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Abalos
- Ethology Lab, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, calle Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia
- Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - G. Pérez i de Lanuza
- Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - P. Carazo
- Ethology Lab, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, calle Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, Tinbergen Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - E. Font
- Ethology Lab, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, calle Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia
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Hamilton DG, Whiting MJ, Pryke SR. Fiery frills: carotenoid-based coloration predicts contest success in frillneck lizards. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Qi Y, Yang W, Lu B, Fu J. Genetic evidence for male-biased dispersal in the Qinghai toad-headed agamid Phrynocephalus vlangalii and its potential link to individual social interactions. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:1219-30. [PMID: 23762509 PMCID: PMC3678477 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-biased dispersal has profound impacts on a species' biology and several factors have been attributed to its evolution, including mating system, inbreeding avoidance, and social complexity. Sex-biased dispersal and its potential link to individual social interactions were examined in the Qinghai toad-headed agamid (Phrynocephalus vlangalii). We first determined the pattern of sex-biased dispersal using population genetic methods. A total of 345 specimens from 32 sites in the Qaidam Basin were collected and genotyped for nine microsatellite DNA loci. Both individual-based assignment tests and allele frequency-based analyses were conducted. Females revealed much more genetic structure than males and all results were consistent with male-biased dispersal. First-generation migrants were also identified by genetic data. We then examined eight social interaction-related morphological traits and explored their potential link to sex-biased dispersal. Female residents had larger heads and longer tails than female migrants. The well-developed signal system among females, coupled with viviparity, might make remaining on natal sites beneficial, and hence promote female philopatry. Dominant females with larger heads were more likely to stay. Contrary to females, male migrants had larger heads and belly patches than residents, suggesting that dispersal might confer selective advantages for males. Such advantages may include opportunities for multiple mating and escaping from crowded sites. Large belly patches and several other morphological traits may assist their success in obtaining mates during dispersal. Furthermore, a relatively high relatedness (R = 0.06) among females suggested that this species might have rudimentary social structure. Case studies in "less" social species may provide important evidence for a better understanding of sex-biased dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Qi
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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Qi Y, Noble DWA, Fu J, Whiting MJ. Spatial and social organization in a burrow-dwelling lizard (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) from China. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41130. [PMID: 22844434 PMCID: PMC3402523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Shared ecological resources such as burrow complexes can set the stage for social groupings and the evolution of more complex social behavior such as parental care. Paternity testing is increasingly revealing cases of kin-based groupings, and lizards may be a good system to inform on the early evolution of sociality. We examined spatial and social organization in the lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii from China and tested genetic relatedness (based on eight microsatellite DNA loci) between offspring and parents that shared burrow complexes. Adult males and females had similar spatial patterns: they overlapped most with members of the opposite sex and least with their own sex. Males in better body condition overlapped with more females, and both sexes showed high site fidelity. Most lizards used a single burrow, but some individuals used two or three burrows. While high site fidelity is consistent with sociality in lizards, juveniles did not preferentially share burrows with parents, and we documented only a few cases of parent–offspring associations through burrow sharing. We suggest that P. vlangalii conforms to a classical polygynous mating system in which the burrow forms the core of the male's territory and may be offered as an important resource for females, but this remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Qi
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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12
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Yin QI, Shasha LI, Langduoerji SUO, Hua LI, Yuezhao WANG. An Ethogram of the Toad-headed Lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii during the Breeding Season. ASIAN HERPETOL RES 2011. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1245.2011.00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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