Common wall lizards learn familiar-unfamiliar identity of conspecifics through chemical cues.

ABSTRACT: Despite numerous studies on individual recognition having been carried out on lizards, a clear demonstration that lizards are able to identify conspecifics is still lacking. Individual recognition in lizards involves identifying conspecifics based on distinctive characteristics, including physical, acoustic, and chemical cues. Lizards use specialized epidermal glands for intraspecific communication, which secrete a mixture of proteins and lipids. To demonstrate individual recognition, a training period needs to be devised to establish associations between traits and memories of interactions with other individuals. We thus performed a 3-week study on the common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) to assess whether lizards are able to associate between previous experience with conspecifics and t

SUBMITTER: Sacchi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12408672 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature