From diurnal to nocturnal activity: a case study of night-light niche expansion in <i>Agama agama</i> lizards

Amadi, Nioking; Luiselli, Luca; Robert, Belema; Nyiwale, Grace Awala; Wala, Chimela; Urubia, Nwaiwu; Meek, Roger

doi:10.1080/03949370.2021.1883120

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In this latter species, however, the use of cement and elevated heights are likely linked to the need to exploit arti cially lighted spots for optimal foraging over the insects that are attracted by night around electric bulbs(Amadi et al 2020a). The same strategy was also employed by A. agama in Nigeria(Amadi et al 2021), but in Lomé we never observed any shifts from diurnal to nocturnal foraging activity in contrast with the Nigerian conspeci cs(Amadi et al 2020b(Amadi et al , 2021, whereas dietary shifts have been observed in other tropical lizards from urban environments…”

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confidence: 49%

The City in the Tropics: Lizard Community Structure and Spatial Resource Use Along an Habitat Gradient of the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

Luiselli¹,

Dendi²,

Petrozzi³

et al. 2021

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Studies on habitat gradients are particularly interesting for the community ecology theory, but almost no investigation has been carried out on community structure of any vertebrate groups along gradients of habitat that were modified by humans in historical or prehistorical times, such as for instance the Dahomey Gap in West Africa. Here, we analyze the community structure of lizards in suburban Lomé (Togo) and in comparison with nearby savannah and forest sites, with a suite of statistical methods. Overall, we recorded 25 lizard species, with a heavy reduction in species richness from forest (18 taxa) to savannah (13) and suburbs (9). 24% of the species occurred in all habitat types, 40% exclusively in forest, and only two were exclusive of suburban habitats. Suburban habitat types were relatively homogeneous in terms of number of observed species (maximum number of taxa per habitat = 6). There were significant interspecific differences in both substratum type preferences and vertical spatial niche by species, but with no evidence of a nonrandom niche partitioning pattern, and hence with a competitively assembled community structure. There was a nonrandom “clustered” distribution of the various species along the available resource categories, thus indicating that species-specific preferences instead of community-driven mechanisms are more likely to explain the observed patterns. We concluded that lizard communities in tropical cities are (i) less species-rich than in the surrounding more natural habitats, (ii) usually clustered into specific habitat/substratum types (often artificial ones), and (iii) not assembled through competitive interactions.

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confidence: 49%

The City in the Tropics: Lizard Community Structure and Spatial Resource Use Along an Habitat Gradient of the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

Luiselli¹,

Dendi²,

Petrozzi³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…For example, Southern tree agamas ( Acanthocercus atricollis ) often use anthropogenic substrates for basking and sheltering, changing their orientation throughout the day and over seasons to regulate their body temperature (Singh et al., 2021). Urban reptiles may also change their activity times to thermoregulate or to seize new opportunities (Amadi et al., 2021; Perry et al., 2008). For example, the diurnal red‐headed rock agama ( Agama agama ) was reported to show nocturnal activity in a city in Gabon around neon lights (Pauwels et al., 2004), and in suburban areas in Nigeria (Amadi et al., 2021), to thermoregulate and forage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Urban reptiles may also change their activity times to thermoregulate or to seize new opportunities (Amadi et al., 2021; Perry et al., 2008). For example, the diurnal red‐headed rock agama ( Agama agama ) was reported to show nocturnal activity in a city in Gabon around neon lights (Pauwels et al., 2004), and in suburban areas in Nigeria (Amadi et al., 2021), to thermoregulate and forage. Activity time shifts in response to urbanization are known from other taxa as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do urban habitats induce physiological changes in Mediterranean lizards?

Vardi,

Dubiner,

Ben Bezalel

et al. 2023

Journal of Zoology

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Urban environments offer dramatically different habitats for wildlife compared with natural environments. They provide, for example, different levels of resource availability, anthropogenic night light, and microclimates (e.g., urban heat islands). For reptiles, increased temperatures in the city can lead to increased energetic demands and metabolic rates unless they change their morphology and physiology and adapt or acclimatize to the urban conditions. We explored differences in metabolic rate, evaporative water loss, and body size of two lizard species – rock agamas (Laudakia vulgaris) and Mediterranean house geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus), from urban habitats and nearby natural open areas. When tested in the lab, we expected to identify physiological adaptations resulting in decreased metabolism in urban individuals. Both species had similar body lengths and masses at both habitat types, suggesting any differences in costs and benefits between urban and natural environments do not affect their overall size or body condition. In the laboratory, metabolic rates were similar in individuals from both habitats for both species, indicating no long‐term adaptations in this trait. However, urban geckos (but not agamas) had higher evaporative water loss than conspecifics from more natural habitats. This may suggest different compositions of epidermal lipids affecting the gecko skin's resistance to evaporation between the habitats. Overall, our results highlight different elements of the urban environment that might affect reptiles. However, the differences between species urge caution in interpreting the results to other species and locations. With increasing urbanization worldwide, understanding when and to what degree local adaptations can occur can help us predict reptile species distribution and survival in light of future anthropogenic changes.

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“…They are also well known for their ecological plasticity in both thermal ecology (Amadi et al, 2020) and foraging strategy. This includes the ability of some individuals to shift from operating as strictly diurnal in rural areas, to nocturnal foragers of insects and other arthropods nearby using artificial lights as a heat source in effect, a gecko-like foraging behaviour (Amadi et al, 2021).Rainbow lizards are predominantly insectivorous (Akani et al, 2013;Anibaldi et al, 1998), but some populations may also show an omnivorous diet (Pauwels et al, 2017). These lizards have been reported to feed also upon bread-based food in the surroundings of human settlements (Pauwels & David, 2008; Yeboah Ofori et al, 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Opportunistic foraging strategy of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo

Dendi

Segniagbeto

Meek³

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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Rainbow lizards (Agama agama) are common in suburban areas throughout Africa, and have an opportunistic foraging strategy, with arthropods being the main prey source. In a coastal resort in southern Togo, West Africa, several individuals in a population were observed while feeding regularly upon non‐natural human‐made food (pizza) and showing a clear preference for a given type of food versus others that were offered (‘four cheeses’ being the preferred one). The fact that all monitored individuals fed upon a same type of pizza suggests that they may have some chemical cues attracting them.

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From diurnal to nocturnal activity: a case study of night-light niche expansion in Agama agama lizards

Cited by 7 publications

References 20 publications

The City in the Tropics: Lizard Community Structure and Spatial Resource Use Along an Habitat Gradient of the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

The City in the Tropics: Lizard Community Structure and Spatial Resource Use Along an Habitat Gradient of the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

Do urban habitats induce physiological changes in Mediterranean lizards?

Opportunistic foraging strategy of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo

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