Antipredator behaviour of old-world tropical lizard, common agama Agama agama, in an urban environment
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Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, 12-14 Abercromby Square, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7WZ, UK
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Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
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Abstract
Escape behaviour is a common antipredator strategy of lizards. Here, we studied the effect of several variables predicted to have a potential effect on escape behaviour of lizards. Specifically, we measured the effects of starting distance (SD), distance to cover, sex–age and the observer’s head orientation on flight initiation distance (FID) in the common agama Agama agama. Agamas were approached in urban localities in Limbe city, Cameroon, where they were habituated to the presence of humans. We found no association between FID and SD, but individuals closer to potential cover had shorter FID than individuals farther from a refuge. Juveniles escaped later than adults, but no significant differences were found in the FID between adult males and females. Head direction of the approaching observer had no effect on FID. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study investigating factors affecting FID in common agamas, extending our knowledge of risk-related behaviour in lizards of the Old World tropics.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 987 | 240 | 18 |
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Antipredator behaviour of old-world tropical lizard, common agama Agama agama, in an urban environment
In: Amphibia-ReptiliaSearch for other papers by Peter Mikula in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, 12-14 Abercromby Square, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7WZ, UK
Search for other papers by Emma Nelson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Piotr Tryjanowski in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
Search for other papers by Tomáš Albrecht in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Escape behaviour is a common antipredator strategy of lizards. Here, we studied the effect of several variables predicted to have a potential effect on escape behaviour of lizards. Specifically, we measured the effects of starting distance (SD), distance to cover, sex–age and the observer’s head orientation on flight initiation distance (FID) in the common agama Agama agama. Agamas were approached in urban localities in Limbe city, Cameroon, where they were habituated to the presence of humans. We found no association between FID and SD, but individuals closer to potential cover had shorter FID than individuals farther from a refuge. Juveniles escaped later than adults, but no significant differences were found in the FID between adult males and females. Head direction of the approaching observer had no effect on FID. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study investigating factors affecting FID in common agamas, extending our knowledge of risk-related behaviour in lizards of the Old World tropics.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 987 | 240 | 18 |
| Full Text Views | 59 | 7 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 69 | 17 | 1 |
