Social context affects tail displays by Phrynocephalus vlangalii lizards from China.

ABSTRACT: Competition between animals for limited resources often involves signaling to establish ownership or dominance. In some species, the defended resource relates to suitable thermal conditions and refuge from predators. This is particularly true of burrow-dwelling lizards such as the Qinghai toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii), which are found on the Tibetan plateau of western China. Male and female lizards occupy separate burrows, which are vital for anti-predator behaviour during warmer months when lizards are active and, crucially, provide shelter from harsh winter conditions. These lizards are readily observed signaling by means of tail displays on the sand dunes they inhabit. Given the selective pressure to hold such a resource, both males and females should exhibit territorial

SUBMITTER: Peters RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4985696 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature