The impact of tail loss on stability during jumping in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

Lizards that undergo caudal autotomy experience a variety of consequences, including decreased locomotor performance in a number of cases. One mode of locomotion common to many arboreal lizard species is jumping, and yet little is known about the effects of autotomy on this locomotor mode. In this article we review recent literature demonstrating the importance of the lizard tail as an in-air stabilizer. First, we review work highlighting how a variety of lizards from diverse families can use their tails to control body position in midair. We then move on to cover recent work demonstrating how in at least one species, Anolis carolinensis, tail loss can lead to remarkable instabilities after takeoff during jumping. Such instabilities occur even when animals are jumping toward specific targets both below and above them, although individual variation in the response to tail loss is considerable. Finally, we report results from a study examining whether increased jumping experience after autotomy facilitates the recovery of in-air stability during jumping. Our work suggests it does not, at least not consistently after 5 wk, indicating that any fitness consequences associated with decreased jumping stability are likely to be long term.