Forced copulation attempt in the Blue-tailed Lizard, Micrablepharus maximiliani (Reinhardt & Luetken, 1862) (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Forced copulation is characterized by jerky and rapid movements performed by a female in an apparent attempt to escape from a mounting male. This short communication reports a forced copulation attempt by the gymnophthalmid lizard Micrablepharus maximiliani in a forest enclave inside the Caatinga biome, Tenente Laurentino Cruz municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The rejection behavior of the female consisted of running, pushing and hiding from the mounting male. Although the causes of female mate rejection remain unclear, it may be possible that on this occasion the female M. maximiliani may not have been reproductively active and/or avoided the male deliberately. Resumo: A cópula forçada é caracterizada por movimentos bruscos e rápidos realizados por uma fêmea em uma aparente tentativa de escapar de um macho no ato da monta. Esta comunicação relata uma tentativa de cópula forçada pelo lagarto gimnoftalmídeo Micrablepharus maximiliani em um enclave de floresta dentro do bioma Caatinga, município de Tenente Laurentino Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O comportamento de rejeição da fêmea consistiu de correr, empurrar e se esconder do macho durante a monta. Embora as causas da rejeição do parceiro pela fêmea não sejam claras, pode ser possível que nesta ocasião a fêmea de M. maximiliani não estava reprodutivamente ativa e/ou evitou o macho deliberadamente. Palavras-chave: comportamentos de rejeição da fêmea, acasalamento forçado, cópula não solicitada, lagarto gimnoftalmídeo, semiárido.

Mating behavior and female accompaniment in the whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Squamata, Teiidae) in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil

“…Vitt 1983, Costa et al 2010, Gogliath et al 2010. Some of the behavior related to sex recognition, courtship, and copulation that is observed in both natural and enclosed lizard populations, includes cloacal rubbing in teiids (Carpenter 1962), head nodding in tropidurids (Carpenter 1977), dewlap extension in polychrotids (Jenssen 1977), and skin darkening in leiosaurids (Lima & Sousa 2006).…”

Mating behaviour of the lizard Ameiva ameiva in Brazil

“…Courtship and copulation in lizards involve a series of ritualised behaviours (Vitt, 1983;Costa et al, 2010;Gogliath et al, 2010;Ribeiro et al, 2011). Examples of these behaviours in teiid lizards include chase, cloacal rubbing and head bobbing (Carpenter, 1960(Carpenter, , 1962Quesnel, 1978;Costa et al, 2013;Sales & Freire, 2021).…”

Notes on the mating behavior of Kentropyx altamazonica (Squamata: Teiidae): first evidence of courtship display for the genus

“…Interestingly, our observations of visual displays emitted by the female K. altamazonica (great agitation, mouth opening, repetitive push-ups, and biting attempts) are also exhibited in a stereotypic manner in aggressive contexts by other lizards (Ribeiro et al 2011). Because more complex courtship behaviors are unknown for the genus Kentropyx pi 1 it is diffic t to affirm et er t e si na s emitted b t is fema e represent standard courtship behaviors of this species or are indicative of a forced mating event, which usually occurs in other lizards (Lima and Sousa 2006, Gogliath et al 2010, Sales and Freire 2021. A consensual mating is Distinct behaviors emitted during the courtship series, with the male (on the left) circling the female, flexing the trunk and head, and keeping the gular region inflated, while the female rotated on its own axis replicating such movements, but also opening its mouth and waving its arms.…”