Size-dependent chemosensory recognition of familiar and unfamiliar conspecific faecal pellets by the iberian rock-lizard, Lacerta monticola

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_43A8F646790E
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Size-dependent chemosensory recognition of familiar and unfamiliar conspecific faecal pellets by the iberian rock-lizard, Lacerta monticola
Journal
Ethology
Author(s)
Aragón, P., López, P. , Martín  J.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2000
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
106
Pages
1115-1128
Abstract
We conducted a field study to analyse the social relationships between males of the Iberian rock lizard (Lacerta monticola). The degree of familiarity was determined based on the degree of overlap between their home ranges. We then designed a laboratory experiment to test whether the same males were able to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics using faecal pellet odours. Differential tongue-flick rates suggest that large males (snout-to-vent length, SVL > 75 mm), at least, may discriminate between odours of familiar and unfamiliar males. The behavioural responses were dependent on relative differences in body size between the responding male and the male that donated the faecal pellet. Thus, as responding small males increased in size relative to their corresponding familiar male, their rate of tongue-flicking significantly decreased; this was not the case in response to unfamiliar males. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between the response of large males to familiar or unfamiliar male stimuli, regardless of size differences. These results suggest that chemical cues contained in faecal pellets allow individual recognition in male L. monticola, and that the response depends on body size. We suggest that faecal pellets might be used to scent-mark home ranges, which would contribute to lowering the costs of aggressive interactions.
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14/01/2011 16:43
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20/08/2019 14:47
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