1
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Iglesias-Carrasco M, Zhang J, Noble DWA. Maternal investment and early thermal conditions affect performance and antipredator responses. Behav Ecol 2024; 35:arae035. [PMID: 38779594 PMCID: PMC11107847 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arae035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to increased temperatures during early development can lead to phenotypic plasticity in morphology, physiology, and behavior across a range of ectothermic animals. In addition, maternal effects are known to be important contributors to phenotypic variation in offspring. Whether the 2 factors interact to shape offspring morphology and behavior is rarely explored. This is critical because climate change is expected to impact both incubation temperature and maternal stress and resource allocation. Using a fully factorial design, and Bayesian multivariate mixed models, we explored how the manipulation of early thermal environment and yolk-quantity in eggs affected the morphology, performance, and antipredator behavior of 2 sympatric Australian skink species (Lampropholis delicata and L. guichenoti). We found that juveniles from the hot treatment were larger than those on the cold treatment in L. guichenoti but not L. delicata. Using repeated behavioral measures for individual lizards, we found an interaction between incubation temperature and maternal investment in performance, with running speed being affected in a species-specific way by the treatment. We predicted that changes in performance should influence antipredator responses. In support of this prediction, we found that maternal investment impacted antipredator behavior, with animals from the yolk-reduced and cold treatment resuming activity faster after a simulated predatory attack in L. delicata. However, the prediction was not supported in L. guichenoti. Our results highlight the importance of exploring the multifaceted role that environments play across generations to understand how different anthropogenic factors will impact wildlife in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Iglesias-Carrasco
- Evolution and Ecology of Sexual Interactions Group, Doñana Biological Station-CSIC, Seville, 41092, Spain
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Daniel W A Noble
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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2
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Liang T, Ran J, Liang Q, Leng L, Du J, Wang J, Shi L. Report of abnormal tail regeneration of Eremias yarkandensis (Sauria: Lacertidae) and its locomotor performance. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11074. [PMID: 38435012 PMCID: PMC10905217 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Caudal autotomy is a phenomenon observed in many reptile taxa, and tail loss is a pivotal functional trait for reptiles, with potentially negative implications for organism fitness due to its influence on locomotion. Some lizard species can regenerate a lost tail, which sometimes can lead to the development of more than one tail (i.e., abnormal tail regeneration) in the process. However, little is currently known about the impact of abnormal tail regeneration on locomotor performance. In this study, we document abnormal tail regeneration in Eremias yarkandensis, a reptile species native to northwestern China. Additionally, we investigated the sprint speed and endurance performance of these lizards. This study provides the first report on abnormal tail regeneration and its locomotor performance on a Chinese reptile. We suggest that the abnormal regeneration of tails may contribute to the accumulation of food reserves in the species. In light of our findings, we propose that herpetologists continue to share their sporadic observations and assess the locomotor performance of species experiencing abnormal tail regeneration, further expanding our understanding of this intriguing phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
- School of ZoologyTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Jiang‐miao Ran
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Qian‐ru Liang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Lin Leng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Jiang‐hao Du
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Jia Wang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Lei Shi
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life SciencesXinjiang Agricultural UniversityUrumqiChina
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3
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Biological invasions as a selective filter driving behavioral divergence. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5996. [PMID: 36220842 PMCID: PMC9553908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions are a multi-stage process (i.e., transport, introduction, establishment, spread), with each stage potentially acting as a selective filter on traits associated with invasion success. Behavior (e.g., exploration, activity, boldness) plays a key role in facilitating species introductions, but whether invasion acts as a selective filter on such traits is not well known. Here we capitalize on the well-characterized introduction of an invasive lizard (Lampropholis delicata) across three independent lineages throughout the Pacific, and show that invasion shifted behavioral trait means and reduced among-individual variation—two key predictions of the selective filter hypothesis. Moreover, lizards from all three invasive ranges were also more behaviorally plastic (i.e., greater within-individual variation) than their native range counterparts. We provide support for the importance of selective filtering of behavioral traits in a widespread invasion. Given that invasive species are a leading driver of global biodiversity loss, understanding how invasion selects for specific behaviors is critical for improving predictions of the effects of alien species on invaded communities. Invasive species are a leading driver of global biodiversity loss. Here, the authors show that the process of invasion itself can promote behavioral changes important to the success of widespread invaders, with implications for understanding the effects of alien species on invaded communities.
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4
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Chaplin K, Smith Date K, Bray RD, Miller KA, Lutz ML, Razeng E, Thompson MB, Chapple DG. Intraspecific hybridisation of an invasive lizard on Lord Howe Island. AUST J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/zo21045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Human-mediated dispersal of animals often acts to bring populations that have been separated for substantial periods of evolutionary time (e.g. millions of years) in their native range into contact in their introduced range. Whether these taxa successfully interbreed in the introduced range provides information on the strength of reproductive isolation amongst them. The invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) has been accidentally introduced to Lord Howe Island from four genetically divergent (>2 million years) regions of the species’ native range in eastern Australia. We used mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data to investigate whether the individuals from four of the native-range source regions are interbreeding on Lord Howe Island. Our analyses indicate that intraspecific hybridisation among individuals from all four native-range source regions is occurring. Although there is little evidence for hybrids in the northern end of Lord Howe Island (proportion of hybrids: 0–0.02; n = 31), there is a high proportion of hybrids in the central (0.33–0.69; n = 59) and southern regions (0.38–0.75; n = 8) of the island. Given the strong evidence for interbreeding among all four native-range source regions examined, and the relatively minor morphological, life-history and phenotypic variation among them, we suggest that the delicate skink should continue to be treated as a single, widespread, but variable species.
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5
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Barr JI, Boisvert CA, Bateman PW. At What Cost? Trade-Offs and Influences on Energetic Investment in Tail Regeneration in Lizards Following Autotomy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:53. [PMID: 34940500 PMCID: PMC8709428 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Caudal autotomy, the ability to shed a portion of the tail, is a widespread defence strategy among lizards. Following caudal autotomy, and during regeneration, lizards face both short- and long-term costs associated with the physical loss of the tail and the energy required for regeneration. As such, the speed at which the individual regenerates its tail (regeneration rate) should reflect the fitness priorities of the individual. However, multiple factors influence the regeneration rate in lizards, making inter-specific comparisons difficult and hindering broader scale investigations. We review regeneration rates for lizards and tuatara from the published literature, discuss how species' fitness priorities and regeneration rates are influenced by specific, life history and environmental factors, and provide recommendations for future research. Regeneration rates varied extensively (0-4.3 mm/day) across the 56 species from 14 family groups. Species-specific factors, influencing regeneration rates, varied based on the type of fracture plane, age, sex, reproductive season, and longevity. Environmental factors including temperature, photoperiod, nutrition, and stress also affected regeneration rates, as did the method of autotomy induction, and the position of the tail also influenced regeneration rates for lizards. Additionally, regeneration could alter an individual's behaviour, growth, and reproductive output, but this varied depending on the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I. Barr
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Boisvert
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Philip W. Bateman
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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6
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Fernández-Rodríguez I, Braña F. Behavioral patterns in the early-stage antipredator response change after tail autotomy in adult wall lizards. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 337:250-257. [PMID: 34783183 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Autotomy is a drastic antipredator defense consisting of the voluntary shedding of a body part to escape from the predators. The loss of a body part may impair locomotion, feeding or mating, so animals may face a higher predation risk shortly after autotomy. Thus, until regeneration is completed, prey may adjust their behavior to reduce predation risk, and this could involve secondary costs. We assessed the effect of tail loss on the antipredator behavior of wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), comparing the behavior of tailed and tailless individuals exposed to a predatory snake (Coronella austriaca) scent, under controlled experimental conditions. Tailless lizards spent significantly more time performing behaviors with antipredatory significance (e.g., moving slowly), whereas tailed individuals performed exploratory walking for significantly more time. Moreover, tailless lizards spent more time basking, which probably increases the effectiveness of their cryptic design and decreases detection by predators. Lizards intensified the tongue flick rates when exposed to a pungent control or snake scents, as compared to their response to a neutral control. Besides, both tailed and tailless lizards intensified some aspects of their antipredator behavior (walking slowly and avoiding refuge use) when exposed to snake scent, which indicates discrimination of the smell of predatory snakes. Lizards decreased refuge use when exposed to predator scents, probably because the refuges are evaluated as unsafe due to a high concentration of snake scents. To conclude, our experiments showed that, after losing their tails, wall lizards modify their behavior in a way that likely minimizes predation risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Fernández-Rodríguez
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (Zoology), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO/CSIC/PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
| | - Florentino Braña
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (Zoology), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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7
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Young A, Anderson RO, Naimo A, Alton LA, Goulet CT, Chapple DG. How do the physiological traits of a lizard change during its invasion of an oceanic island? Oecologia 2021; 198:567-578. [PMID: 34725729 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05054-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Physiology is crucial for the survival of invasive species in new environments. Yet, new climatic conditions and the limited genetic variation found within many invasive populations may influence physiological responses to new environmental conditions. Here, we studied the case of the delicate skinks (Lampropholis delicata) invading Lord Howe Island (LHI), Australia. On LHI, the climate is different from the mainland source of the skinks, and independent introduction events generated invasive populations with distinct genetic backgrounds. To understand how climate and genetic background may shape physiological responses along biological invasions, we compared the physiological traits of a source and two invasive (single-haplotype and multi-haplotype) populations of the delicate skink. For each population, we quantified physiological traits related to metabolism, sprint speed, and thermal physiology. We found that, for most physiological traits analysed, population history did not influence the ecophysiology of delicate skinks. However, invasive populations showed higher maximum speed than the source population, which indicates that locomotor performance might be a trait under selection during biological invasions. As well, the invasive population with a single haplotype was less cold-tolerant than the multi-haplotype and source populations. Our results suggest that limited genetic variability and climate may influence physiological responses of invasive organisms in novel environments. Incorporating the interplay between genetic and physiological responses into models predicting species invasions can result in more accurate understanding of the potential habitats those species can occupy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyse Young
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rodolfo O Anderson
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Annalise Naimo
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lesley A Alton
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Celine T Goulet
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - David G Chapple
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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8
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Brand JA, Naimo AC, Michelangeli M, Martin JM, Sih A, Wong BBM, Chapple DG. Population differences in the effect of context on personality in an invasive lizard. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Within populations, individuals often differ consistently in their average level of behavior (i.e., animal personality), as well as their response to environmental change (i.e., behavioral plasticity). Thus, changes in environmental conditions might be expected to mediate the structure of animal personality traits. However, it is currently not well understood how personality traits change in response to environmental conditions, and whether this effect is consistent across multiple populations within the same species. Accordingly, we investigated variation in personality traits across two ecological contexts in the invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata). Specifically, lizards from three different populations were repeatedly measured for individual activity in group behavioral assays under differing levels of food availability. We found that environmental context had a clear effect on the structure of lizard personality, where activity rates were not repeatable in the absence of food, but were repeatable in the presence of food resources. The difference in repeatability of activity rates across contexts appeared to be largely driven by an increase in among-individual variance when tested in the presence of food resources. However, this was only true for one of the populations tested, with food context having no effect on the expression of personality traits in the other two populations. Our results highlight the important role of environmental context in mediating the structure of animal personality traits and suggest that this effect may vary among populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Brand
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Annalise C Naimo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Michelangeli
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jake M Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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9
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Fernández-Rodríguez I, Barroso FM, Carretero MA. An integrative analysis of the short-term effects of tail autotomy on thermoregulation and dehydration rates in wall lizards. J Therm Biol 2021; 99:102976. [PMID: 34420620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102976] [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] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining body temperature is essential for the optimal performance of physiological functions. Ectotherms depend on external heat sources to thermoregulate. However, thermoregulation may be constrained by body condition and hydration state. Autotomy (i.e., the voluntary shed of a body part) evolved in various animal lineages and allowed surviving certain events (such as predator attacks), but it may affect body condition and volume/surface ratios, increase dehydration and constrain thermoregulation. In the framework of a general analysis of the evolution of autotomy, here we assessed the effects of tail loss on the thermal preferences and evaporative water loss rates (EWL) in the lizard Podarcis bocagei, integrating the thermal and hydric factors. We did not observe shifts in the thermal preferences of experimentally autotomized lizards when compared to the controls, which contradicted the hypothesis that they would raise preferred temperature to increase metabolic rates and accelerate regeneration. Evaporative water loss rates were also similar for tailed and tailless individuals, suggesting negligible increase of water loss through the injury and no specific ecophysiological responses after autotomy. Therefore, the changes observed in autotomized lizards in the field are to be considered primarily behavioural, rather than physiological, and thermoregulation could be secondarily affected by behavioural compensations for an increased predation risk after autotomy. Functional studies are necessary to understand how lizards' interaction with the environment is altered after autotomy, and further studies including different dehydration levels would be useful to fully understand the effect of water shortage on lizards' performance after caudal autotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Fernández-Rodríguez
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº7, Vairão, 4485-661, Vila do Conde, Portugal; Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (Zoology), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, 33071, Spain; Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO/CSIC/PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain.
| | - Frederico M Barroso
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº7, Vairão, 4485-661, Vila do Conde, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, R. Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169 - 007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel A Carretero
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº7, Vairão, 4485-661, Vila do Conde, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, R. Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169 - 007, Porto, Portugal
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10
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FernÁndez-RodrÍguez I, BraÑa F. The movement dynamics of autotomized lizards and their tails reveal functional costs of caudal autotomy. Integr Zool 2020; 15:511-521. [PMID: 32297699 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Autotomy has evolved independently several times in different animal lineages. It frequently involves immediate functional costs, so regeneration evolved in many instances to restore the functionality of that body part. Caudal autotomy is a widespread antipredator strategy in lizards, although it may affect energy storage, locomotion dynamics, or survival in future encounters with predators. Here, we assessed the effect of tail loss on the locomotor performance of wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), as well as the recovery of locomotor functionality of lizards with regenerated tails, and the movement dynamics of shed tails that were either intact or having regenerated portions. Tail loss had no effect on locomotion over unhindered spaces, possibly due to compensation between a negative effect on the stride of front limbs, and a positive effect of losing mass and friction force. We found a clear negative impact of tail loss on locomotion in spaces with interspersed obstacles, in which tailed lizards jumped larger distances when leaving the obstacles. Besides, lizards that used the tail to push off the ground were able to approach the obstacles from further, so that the tail seemed to be useful when used during jumping. Regeneration fully restores lizard's locomotor capacities, but tail antipredator value, as indicated by the intensity of post-autotomic movements, is only partially retrieved. From these results, we propose that, together with the recovery of post-autotomy antipredator capacities, the restoration of the organismal locomotor performance may have been an important, yet frequently neglected factor in the evolution of lizard's regeneration ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene FernÁndez-RodrÍguez
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (Zoology), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO/CSIC/PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
| | - Florentino BraÑa
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (Zoology), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO/CSIC/PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
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11
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Michelangeli M, Melki-Wegner B, Laskowski K, Wong BB, Chapple DG. Impacts of caudal autotomy on personality. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Lewis JL, Sullivan AM. Salamander stress and duress: the relationship between CORT, autotomy and regeneration, and exploratory behaviour. ZOOLOGY 2020; 139:125751. [PMID: 32070799 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Responses to stress are generally mediated through the production of glucocorticoids by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (or -interrenal) axis. The prolonged production of stress hormones can contribute to delayed wound healing and growth, but little is known about their influence on regeneration following tail autotomy, or exploratory behaviour in autotomized individuals. Here we examined the relationship between stress, regeneration, and exploratory behaviour in Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) by manipulating corticosterone (CORT) levels via cutaneous patch. First, we measured tail regeneration in salamanders with elevated CORT for 13 weeks after the induction of tail autotomy. Test subjects received a weekly patch to wear for one hour that was saturated with either a low CORT (0.25 mg/ml) or high CORT (0.50 mg/ml) solution. Individuals receiving CORT patches regenerated significantly less of their tail length and volume (versus control), but without exhibiting dose-dependent effects. Second, we used a factorial design to evaluate the effects of autotomy and elevated CORT on exploration within a test arena consisting of low barriers arrayed in concentric rings. Individuals experiencing tail autotomy exhibited significantly less exploratory behaviour indicated by an increased latency to cross first barrier and a decreased number of barriers crossed. Neither elevated CORT (0.50 mg/ml), nor the interaction between elevated CORT and tail autotomy significantly affected salamander activity within the array. Although CORT did not have a direct effect on explorative behaviour, a delay in regeneration attributed to CORT could lead to changes in patterns of movement in autotomized individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn L Lewis
- Department of Biology, Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
| | - Aaron M Sullivan
- Department of Biology, Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744, USA
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13
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Emberts Z, Escalante I, Bateman PW. The ecology and evolution of autotomy. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1881-1896. [PMID: 31240822 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Autotomy, the self-induced loss of a body part, occurs throughout Animalia. A lizard dropping its tail to escape predation is an iconic example, however, autotomy occurs in a diversity of other organisms. Octopuses can release their arms, crabs can drop their claws, and bugs can amputate their legs. The diversity of organisms that can autotomize body parts has led to a wealth of research and several taxonomically focused reviews. These reviews have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of autotomy within their respective groups. However, because of their taxonomic focus, these reviews are constrained in their ability to enhance our understanding of autotomy. Here, we aim to synthesize research on the ecology and evolution of autotomy throughout Animalia, building a unified framework on which future studies can expand. We found that the ability to drop an appendage has evolved multiple times throughout Animalia and that once autotomy has evolved, selection appears to act on the removable appendage to increase the efficacy and/or efficiency of autotomy. This could explain why some autotomizable body parts are so elaborate (e.g. brightly coloured). We also show that there are multiple benefits, and variable costs, associated with autotomy. Given this variation, we generate an economic theory of autotomy (modified from the economic theory of escape) which makes predictions about when an individual should resort to autotomy. Finally, we show that the loss of an autotomizable appendage can have numerous consequences on population and community dynamics. By taking this broad taxonomic approach, we identified patterns of autotomy that transcend specific lineages and highlight clear directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Emberts
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 876 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Ignacio Escalante
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, & Management, University of California, 140 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Behavioural Ecology Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
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14
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Payette W, Sullivan A. The effect of predator kairomones on caudal regeneration by Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus). CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Many prey use autotomy as an antipredator mechanism. Rapid regeneration of autotomized appendages is beneficial because forfeited tissues may serve as organs for energy storage, accessories for locomotion, or indicators of social status. We monitored levels of caudal regeneration by Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus Cope, 1859) exposed to kairomones from predatory Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis (Linnaeus, 1758)). After the induction of autotomy, salamanders were exposed to one of three treatment regimens: blank (water), or acute (30 min per week) or chronic (constant) exposure to predator kairomones during a 12-week study period. Overall, the mean volume of regenerated tissue, as a percentage of the original tail volume, was highest for individuals exposed to the blank versus predator kairomones. When the combined effects of time elapsed since the induction of caudal autotomy and the different treatment regimens were considered, we found that the mean volume of regenerated tissue was significantly greater for control salamanders beginning 8 weeks after autotomy. The mechanism contributing to the differential rates of regeneration among individuals in our treatment groups is unknown, but previous work suggests that elevated stress related to predation threat can have detrimental effects on wound healing and growth in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- W.I. Payette
- Department of Biology, Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744, USA
| | - A.M. Sullivan
- Department of Biology, Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744, USA
- Department of Biology, Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744, USA
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15
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Michelangeli M, Chapple DG, Goulet CT, Bertram MG, Wong BBM. Behavioral syndromes vary among geographically distinct populations in a reptile. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Celine T Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael G Bertram
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Walsh S, Goulet CT, Wong BBM, Chapple DG. Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Walsh
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - C. T. Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - B. B. M. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - D. G. Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
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17
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Jagnandan K, Higham TE. How rapid changes in body mass affect the locomotion of terrestrial vertebrates: ecology, evolution and biomechanics of a natural perturbation. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jagnandan
- Life Sciences Department, San Diego City College, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Timothy E Higham
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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18
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Lin JW, Chen YR, Wang YH, Hung KC, Lin SM. Tail regeneration after autotomy revives survival: a case from a long-term monitored lizard population under avian predation. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2538. [PMID: 28100821 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Caudal autotomy in lizards has intrigued scientists for more than 100 years. Because of the relative lack of literature under natural conditions, the complicated association among field autotomy rate, real predation pressure, the long-term cost of tail loss, and the benefit of regeneration remains equivocal. In this study, we conducted a 7-year capture-mark-recapture (CMR) programme with a wild population of a sexually dichromatic lizard, Takydromus viridipunctatus We used autotomy indexes and a contemporary bird census mega-dataset of four predatory birds as predictors to examine the association between tail loss and predation pressure. We further estimated the survival cost of tail loss and alleviation by regeneration under natural conditions through CMR modelling. We found that large and small avian predators affect lizard survival through the following two routes: the larger-sized cattle egret causes direct mortality while the smaller shrikes and kestrels are the major causes of autotomy. Following autotomy, the survival rate of tailless individuals over the next month was significantly lower than that of tailed individuals, especially males during the breeding season, which showed a decline of greater than 30%. This sex-related difference further demonstrated the importance of reproductive costs for males in this sexually dichromatic species. However, the risk of mortality returned to baseline after the tails were fully grown. This study indicates the benefit of tail regeneration under natural conditions, which increases our understanding of the cost-benefit dynamics of caudal autotomy and further explains the maintenance of this trait as an evolutionarily beneficial adaption to long-term predator-prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhan-Wei Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ying-Rong Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ying-Han Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Kuen-Chih Hung
- Chinese Wild Bird Federation, No. 3, Jinglong Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Si-Min Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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19
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Michelangeli M, Goulet CT, Kang HS, Wong BBM, Chapple DG. Integrating thermal physiology within a syndrome: Locomotion, personality and habitat selection in an ectotherm. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Celine T. Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - Hee S. Kang
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - Bob B. M. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - David G. Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. Australia
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20
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Argaez V, Solano-Zavaleta I, Zúñiga-Vega JJ. Another potential cost of tail autotomy: tail loss may result in high ectoparasite loads in Sceloporus lizards. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-17000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Tail autotomy is a common phenomenon in lizards that increases the chances of immediate survival during a predation event or agonistic encounter. However, despite short-term benefits, tail regeneration may also impose costs. Several studies have demonstrated that tail loss compromises other vital functions such as lipid storage, reproduction, and the immune system. Several lizard species are hosts of mites and ticks. Here we evaluated in three lizard species from the genus Sceloporus, whether individuals that have lost their tails and invested energy in tail regeneration are more susceptible to ectoparasites. Using a multimodel inference framework, we examined if tail loss and regeneration, as well as sex, body condition, and season (dry or rainy) predict ectoparasite load. Our results indicate that investing energy and resources in tail regeneration compromises defence against ectoparasites. These costs differed between sexes and among species. Overall, ectoparasite load increases during the rainy season and is on average higher in males. In S. grammicus, during the rainy season, males with regenerated tails and in poor body condition had more ectoparasites than males with intact tails in good body condition. In S. megalepidurus, we observed the same effect during the rainy season but in females rather than males. In S. torquatus, we found no effect of tail loss on ectoparasite load. We discuss the possibility that differences observed among species reflect differences in both species-specific physiological trade-offs and local environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Argaez
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Israel Solano-Zavaleta
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
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21
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Kang F, Goulet CT, Chapple DG. The impact of urbanization on learning ability in an invasive lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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22
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23
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Goulet CT, Thompson MB, Michelangeli M, Wong BBM, Chapple DG. Thermal physiology: A new dimension of the pace-of-life syndrome. J Anim Ecol 2017. [PMID: 28626934 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Current syndrome research focuses primarily on behaviour with few incorporating components of physiology. One such syndrome is the pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) which describes covariation between behaviour, metabolism, immunity, hormonal response, and life-history traits. Despite the strong effect temperature has on behaviour, thermal physiology has yet to be considered within this syndrome framework. We proposed the POLS to be extended to include a new dimension, the cold-hot axis. Under this premise, it is predicted that thermal physiology and behaviour would covary, whereby individual positioning along the thermal continuum would coincide with that of the behavioural continuum. This hypothesis was tested by measuring thermal traits of delicate skinks (Lampropholis delicata) and linking it to their behaviour. Principal components analysis and structural equation modelling were used to determine if traits were structured within the POLS and to characterize the direction of their interactions. Model results supported the inclusion of the cold-hot axis into the POLS and indicated that thermal physiology was the driver of this relationship, in that thermal traits either constrained or promoted activity, exploration, boldness and social behaviour. This study highlights the need to integrate thermal physiology within a syndrome framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine T Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Mike B Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
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24
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Goulet CT, Thompson MB, Chapple DG. Repeatability and correlation of physiological traits: Do ectotherms have a "thermal type"? Ecol Evol 2016; 7:710-719. [PMID: 28116065 PMCID: PMC5243194 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Across a range of taxa, individuals within a species differ in suites of correlated traits. These trait complexes, known as syndromes, can have dramatic evolutionary consequences as they do not evolve independently but rather as a unit. Current research focuses primarily on syndromes relating to aspects of behavior and life history. What is less clear is whether physiological traits also form a syndrome. We measured 10 thermal traits in the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata, to test this idea. Repeatability was calculated and their across‐context correlations evaluated. Our results were in alignment with our predictions in that individual thermal traits varied consistently and were structured into a physiological syndrome, which we are referring to as the thermal behavior syndrome (TBS). Within this syndrome, lizards exhibited a “thermal type” with each being ranked along a cold–hot continuum. Hot types had faster sprint speeds and higher preferred body temperatures, whereas the opposite was true for cold types. We conclude that physiological traits may evolve as a single unit driven by the need to maintain optimal temperatures that enable fitness‐related behaviors to be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine T Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | | | - David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
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25
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Savvides P, Stavrou M, Pafilis P, Sfenthourakis S. Tail autotomy affects bipedalism but not sprint performance in a cursorial Mediterranean lizard. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 104:3. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1425-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Michelangeli M, Chapple DG, Wong BBM. Are behavioural syndromes sex specific? Personality in a widespread lizard species. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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27
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Matthews G, Goulet CT, Delhey K, Chapple DG. The effect of skin reflectance on thermal traits in a small heliothermic ectotherm. J Therm Biol 2016; 60:109-24. [PMID: 27503723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Variation in colour patterning is prevalent among and within species. A number of theories have been proposed in explaining its evolution. Because solar radiation interacts with the pigmentation of the integument causing light to either be reflected or absorbed into the body, thermoregulation has been considered to be a primary selective agent, particularly among ectotherms. Accordingly, the colour-mediated thermoregulatory hypothesis states that darker individuals will heat faster and reach higher thermal equilibria while paler individuals will have the opposite traits. It was further predicted that dark colouration would promote slower cooling rates and higher thermal performance temperatures. To test these hypotheses we quantified the reflectance, selected body temperatures, performance optima, as well as heating and cooling rates of an ectothermic vertebrate, Lampropholis delicata. Our results indicated that colour had no influence on thermal physiology, as all thermal traits were uncorrelated with reflectance. We suggest that crypsis may instead be the stronger selective agent as it may have a more direct impact on fitness. Our study has improved our knowledge of the functional differences among individuals with different colour patterns, and the evolutionary significance of morphological variation within species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Matthews
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Celine T Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Kaspar Delhey
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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28
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Chapple DG, Knegtmans J, Kikillus H, van Winkel D. Biosecurity of exotic reptiles and amphibians in New Zealand: building upon Tony Whitaker's legacy. J R Soc N Z 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2015.1108344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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29
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Moule H, Michelangeli M, Thompson MB, Chapple DG. The influence of urbanization on the behaviour of an Australian lizard and the presence of an activity-exploratory behavioural syndrome. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Moule
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - M. Michelangeli
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - M. B. Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - D. G. Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. Australia
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30
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Michelangeli M, Wong BB, Chapple DG. It’s a trap: sampling bias due to animal personality is not always inevitable. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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31
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Zamora‐Camacho FJ, Reguera S, Moreno‐Rueda G. Does tail autotomy affect thermoregulation in an accurately thermoregulating lizard? Lessons from a 2200‐m elevational gradient. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. J. Zamora‐Camacho
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Granada Granada Spain
| | - S. Reguera
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Granada Granada Spain
| | - G. Moreno‐Rueda
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Granada Granada Spain
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32
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Bezzina CN, Amiel JJ, Shine R. Does invasion success reflect superior cognitive ability? A case study of two congeneric lizard species (Lampropholis, Scincidae). PLoS One 2014; 9:e86271. [PMID: 24475097 PMCID: PMC3901674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A species' intelligence may reliably predict its invasive potential. If this is true, then we might expect invasive species to be better at learning novel tasks than non-invasive congeners. To test this hypothesis, we exposed two sympatric species of Australian scincid lizards, Lampropholis delicata (invasive) and L. guichenoti (non-invasive) to standardized maze-learning tasks. Both species rapidly decreased the time they needed to find a food reward, but latencies were always higher for L. delicata than L. guichenoti. More detailed analysis showed that neither species actually learned the position of the food reward; they were as likely to turn the wrong way at the end of the study as at the beginning. Instead, their times decreased because they spent less time immobile in later trials; and L. guichenoti arrived at the reward sooner because they exhibited "freezing" (immobility) less than L. delicata. Hence, our data confirm that the species differ in their performance in this standardized test, but neither the decreasing time to find the reward, nor the interspecific disparity in those times, are reflective of cognitive abilities. Behavioural differences may well explain why one species is invasive and one is not, but those differences do not necessarily involve cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalene N. Bezzina
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Joshua J. Amiel
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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33
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McElroy EJ, Bergmann PJ. Tail Autotomy, Tail Size, and Locomotor Performance in Lizards. Physiol Biochem Zool 2013; 86:669-79. [DOI: 10.1086/673890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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34
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Chapple DG, Whitaker AH, Chapple SNJ, Miller KA, Thompson MB. Biosecurity interceptions of an invasive lizard: origin of stowaways and human-assisted spread within New Zealand. Evol Appl 2013; 6:324-39. [PMID: 23467589 PMCID: PMC3586621 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Globalization, and the resultant movement of animals beyond their native range, creates challenges for biosecurity agencies. Limited records of unintentional introductions inhibit our understanding of the trade pathways, transport vectors and mechanisms through which hitchhiker organisms are spread as stowaways. Here, we adopt a phylogeographic approach to determine the source and human-mediated dispersal pathways of New Zealand's only invasive lizard, the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata), intercepted by biosecurity agencies in New Zealand. Biosecurity agencies correctly predicted the source region of 77% of stowaways, which were usually solitary adults, arriving via air or sea pathways during the cooler months, evading initial border checks and alive when detected. New arrivals from Australia comprised 16% of detections originating from the region between Brisbane and Sydney. Our analyses indicate human-mediated dispersal has driven the post-border spread of L. delicata within New Zealand. Propagule pressure was substantially greater for L. delicata compared with the noninvasive, congeneric Lampropholis guichenoti. Our results highlight the transport pathways, spread mechanisms, and stowaway characteristics of Lampropholis lizards entering New Zealand, which could enhance current biosecurity protocols and prevent the establishment of additional lizard species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Clayton, Vic., Australia ; Division of Sciences, Museum Victoria Melbourne, Vic., Australia ; Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington Wellington, New Zealand
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35
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CROMIE GILLIANL, CHAPPLE DAVIDG. Is partial tail loss the key to a complete understanding of caudal autotomy? AUSTRAL ECOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02429.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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