Eye-bulging behavior in lizards of the genus sceloporus: A role in chemical communication?

Morgan A. Herrmann, Stephanie M. Campos, Emília P. Martins, Cristina Romero-Diaz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined eye-bulging behavior in relation to scent-marking and chemosensory behavior in three species of iguanian lizards, Sceloporus jarrovii, S. tristichus, and S. virgatus, in a controlled environment. We studied males of the three species and also females of S. jarrovii and S. tristichus. Overall, the frequency of eye-bulging was positively correlated to the frequency of chin wipes in males, but not females. Chin wipes rarely occurred in the absence of eye-bulging; they were closely associated with the latter and, to some degree, to other chemosensory behavior. Of the three species, S. virgatus exhibited the highest eye-bulging frequency. The possibility of eye-bulging behavior being utilized for chemical communication is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)309-315
Number of pages7
JournalCopeia
Volume108
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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