Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Rainfall, activity and social behaviour in the lizard, Anolis aeneus

J A Stamps

    Animal Behaviour
    |August 1, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary

    Drought significantly impacts tropical lizard behavior, reducing activity and display frequency. Artificial watering during dry spells rapidly restored normal behavior in Anolis aeneus.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Estimating asymptotic size using the largest individuals per sample.

    Oecologia·2017
    Same author

    Functions of fights in territory establishment.

    The American naturalist·2008
    Same author

    The effects of conspecific attraction and habitat quality on habitat selection in territorial birds (Troglodytes aedon).

    The American naturalist·2008
    Same author

    A new look at relationships between size at maturity and asymptotic size.

    The American naturalist·2008
    Same author

    How territorial animals compete for divisible space: a learning-based model with unequal competitors.

    The American naturalist·2008
    Same author

    Female mate choice tactics in a resource-based mating system: field tests of alternative models.

    The American naturalist·1997

    Area of Science:

    • Herpetology
    • Behavioral Ecology
    • Environmental Physiology

    Background:

    • Tropical ecosystems are vulnerable to drought, affecting resident fauna.
    • Anolis lizards exhibit complex social behaviors sensitive to environmental conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the behavioral responses of the tropical lizard Anolis aeneus to drought conditions.
    • To determine the impact of water availability on lizard activity and social signaling.

    Main Methods:

    • Field observations of Anolis aeneus activity and display rates were conducted.
    • Experimental watering of lizards during drought periods assessed behavioral recovery.
    • Correlation analysis between rainfall data and observed behaviors was performed.

    Main Results:

    • Lizard activity and display frequencies decreased with increasing days since the last rainfall.
    • Artificially watered lizards exhibited immediate recovery of display behaviors.
    • Drought periods of similar duration are common in the natural habitat of Anolis aeneus.

    Conclusions:

    • Water availability is a critical factor regulating the behavior of Anolis aeneus.
    • Behavioral plasticity allows Anolis aeneus to respond rapidly to changes in hydration status.
    • The findings highlight the ecological significance of drought in shaping tropical lizard behavior.

    Related Experiment Videos