Sex differences in antipredator tail-waving displays of the diurnal yellow-headed gecko Gonatodes albogularis from tropical forests of Colombia

Abstract

Many vertebrate species show display behaviors when predators are in their vicinity. Some of these displays may inform the predator of the improbability of capturing the prey (i.e., pursuit-deterrent displays) and are potentially advantageous to both predator and prey. Here we present data on a tail display performed by Gonatodes albogularis, a diurnal tropical gecko. We performed transect surveys in three habitats near Bogotá in Colombia. Geckos detected during transects were approached by the observer in a standardized way, and details of their tailwaving displays were recorded. In control recordings animals were watched from a distant site without approaching them. Results showed sexual differences in tail-waving display: when approached by the observer, males performed this behavior more frequently than females. We found no significant differences between males and females in flight-initiation distances and height above the substratum when they were initially located. Results also showed that males displayed more frequently when approached than when the simulated predator remained stationary. We interpret these results as evidence that the display functions as a pursuit-deterrent signal to potential predators. However, as some tail displays were performed in the presence of conspecifics, the display may also have a social function.

Agonistic and courtship behaviour patterns in the skink Chalcides viridanus (Fam. Scincidae) from Tenerife

“…It is usually exhibited by a submissive individual who is chased by a rival. Tail displays have been considered as multifunctional signals used in social and antipredatory contexts of several lizard species (Cooper 1998(Cooper , 2001Langkilde et al 2003;Bohórquez-Alonso et al 2010). In C. viridanus, this pattern could be a "distraction" display directing the attention of the rival to the tail ("Bite" was most frequently directed to the tail), away from the head or other more sensitive body areas.…”

Tail autotomy effects on the escape behavior of the lizard Gonatodes albogularis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), from Córdoba, Colombia

“…Therefore, regenerating their tails would imply an additional energy expenditure. Bohórquez et al (2010) found that this lizard uses a tailwaving display in the presence of conspecifics and potential predators and that males use this type of behavior with a significantly higher frequency than females, finding that the differences were significant.…”

Conspicuous blue tails, dorsal pattern morphs and escape behaviour in hatchling Iberian wall lizards (Podarcis hispanicus)

“…) in many populations and lineages such as those investigated here. Contrasted differences in predation risk between sexes might lead to intersexual differences in antipredatory behaviour (Shine et al ., ; Vanhooydonck, Herrel & Irschick, ; Bohórquez Alonso et al ., ). However, many studies have demonstrated that colour patterns and behaviours may be selectively and genetically coupled in polymorphic species (Brodie, ; King, ; Forsman & Shine, ).…”