Lizards in ‘nuclear families’: a novel reptilian social system in <i>Egernia saxatilis</i> (Scincidae)

O’Connor, D. J.; Shine, Richard

doi:10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01777.x

Cited by 94 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…There is increasing evidence of phenomena such as longterm monogamy (Bull 1988), complex kin-based sociality (O'Connor and Shine 2003) and individual recognition (Bull et al 1994) in lizards, and surprisingly high similarity in traits such as ritualistic social displays and basal ganglia structures across diverse amniote species including lizards and humans (Baxter 2003). Our study supports and extends earlier work on other lizard taxa by showing that these animals have a complex repertoire of context-dependent displays.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The language of lizards: interpreting the function of visual displays of the Indian rock lizard, Psammophilus dorsalis (Agamidae)

Radder

Saidapur

Shine

et al. 2006

J Ethol

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The first step in understanding any communication system is to document signal diversity relative to the context of signalling (e.g. sex of the signaller and audience). Observation of 30 free-ranging rock lizards (Psammophilus dorsalis) on rock outcrops in southern India over a period of 18 months revealed that these lizards produce a complex array of ritualized signals involving push-ups (headbobbing), dorsal flattening, extension of the legs or gular region, and tail-raising. Push-ups were performed by both sexes, usually after moving from one location to another. Push-ups were rarely accompanied by other postural modifications, and seem to function as non-directed signals. Dorsal flattening was elicited by birds flying overhead, and seems to make the lizard less conspicuous to predators. There was, nonetheless, a strong sex difference in the frequency of this behaviour, because the habitats used by males (open rocks) exposed them to more birds. Males displayed to females by extending their gular folds and arching their backs; other animals (e.g. squirrels, monkeys) also elicited the latter posture from both sexes. Leg extension was observed for both males and females, but in different contexts -males in response to conspecifics, females in response to other animals. Females raised their tails in response to encountering a male. Thus, these lizards have a complex repertoire of postures for predator evasion, for interaction with other species and with conspecifics, and for communicating sex-specific social information about gender (tail-raise) or dominance status (gular extension, leg extension).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The language of lizards: interpreting the function of visual displays of the Indian rock lizard, Psammophilus dorsalis (Agamidae)

Radder

Saidapur

Shine

et al. 2006

J Ethol

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“…two adult males were found in the same shelter site in E. epsisolus). In some Egernia species, adults of both sexes will attack unrelated juveniles but not their own offspring (O'Connor and Shine 2004;While et al 2009) and the offspring will stay with their parents for several years Stow et al 2001;O'Connor and Shine 2003). This scenario would not occur in territorial lizard species.…”

Section: Ontogeny and Sexual Dimorphismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometric morphometric analysis of cranial variation in the Egernia depressa (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) species complex

Hollenshead

2011

Rec West Aust Mus

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-Few studies have attempted to simultaneously examine geographic, ontogenetic and sexual variation of lizard crania. This study does so with a focus on the Egernia depressa species complex (Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skinks), which occur throughout much of arid Western Australia and inhabits fallen trees in the southern part of its range and rock crevices in disjunct boulder outcrops in the northern part of its range in the Pilbara. Geometric (i.e. landmark-based) morphometrics were used to examine variation in cranial shape in E. depressa, E. cygnitos and E. epsisolus. Cranial differences were evident among the different species; however, the differences depended on which aspect of the cranium was being analysed. A comparison also was made between E. depressa which inhabits tree hollows v. E. cygnitos and E. epsisolus which use rock crevices. The lateral aspect of the cranium of the rock-inhabiting species differs from the log-inhabiting species in having dorsal-ventral compression of the postorbital region. Egernia cygnitos which lives western portion of the Pilbara differs from other species in having a wider cranium with a correspondingly broader palatal region. Sexual dimorphism was not evident, but ontogenetic changes in cranial form were present.

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“…show some of the most complex social behaviours known for squamate reptiles, including long-term social groupings, genetic monogamy and parental care (Bull 2000;Gardner et al 2001Gardner et al , 2002Chapple 2003;O'Connor & Shine 2003. Many of these species are largebodied and occupy thermally dynamic microhabitats, suggesting that a common benefit selecting for aggregation is the thermoregulatory advantage achieved by increasing thermal inertia.…”

Section: Evolutionary Significance Of Aggregationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological benefits as precursors of sociality: why banded geckos band

2006

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Aggregating has been widely studied in a variety of animals and found to have important benefits in terms of sociality, courtship, predator avoidance and physiology. Several species of nocturnal geckos form diurnal aggregations; however, little is known about the benefits of these groupings. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the benefit of aggregation for the desert-dwelling western banded gecko, Coleonyx variegatus. We found that banded geckos benefit from aggregation by a reduction in evaporative water loss (EWL). No social or mating benefits were detected, and geckos did not group to avoid predators. Geckos did not select diurnal retreat sites based solely on the scent of conspecifics, although they aggregated readily when conspecifics were present. Thus, C. variegatus appear to achieve physiological but not social benefits from grouping. Banded geckos belong to an ancestrally tropical lineage whose descendants invaded present-day North American deserts at a time when these regions were more mesic. This may explain their relatively high rate of EWL. Aggregating seems to be a solution to this physiological handicap. Our study also suggests a path for the evolution of social behaviour: as animals aggregate for physiological benefits, the stage is set for the evolution of more complex social interactions.

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Lizards in ‘nuclear families’: a novel reptilian social system in Egernia saxatilis (Scincidae)

Cited by 94 publications

References 38 publications

The language of lizards: interpreting the function of visual displays of the Indian rock lizard, Psammophilus dorsalis (Agamidae)

The language of lizards: interpreting the function of visual displays of the Indian rock lizard, Psammophilus dorsalis (Agamidae)

Geometric morphometric analysis of cranial variation in the Egernia depressa (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) species complex

Physiological benefits as precursors of sociality: why banded geckos band

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