Influence of predation pressure on the escape behaviour of Podarcis muralis lizards

Behavioural Processes
F J. Diego-Rasilla

Abstract

Relationships between predator avoidance behaviour and predation pressure were investigated in the wall lizard, Podarcis muralis. The wariness of lizards belonging to high (1185m) and low elevation (308m) populations under two different predation pressure levels was compared. Wall lizards belonging to the lowland population experienced greater predation pressure than those belonging to the highland population. Lizards belonging to the population under higher predation pressure had higher frequency of refuge use, and had longer flight initiation distances (i.e. the distance lizards allowed the observer to approach before fleeing). In contrast, neither the distance fled (i.e. the total distance they fled in one continuous movement from the lizard's initial position until hiding or stopping at a safe distance) nor the distance to the nearest refuge were significantly different between populations. Escape responses were independent of ambient temperature in the lowland population, but animals belonging to the highland population had longer flight initiation distances when the ambient temperatures were higher. These findings suggest that predator avoidance behaviour may vary with predation pressure.

References

Jul 1, 1998·Behavioural Processes·J M RecarteA J Hewison

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Citations

Nov 19, 2013·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Patricia A FlemingPhilip W Bateman
Oct 28, 2014·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Kinsey M BrockJohannes Foufopoulos
Oct 21, 2009·The Journal of Analytical Psychology·Ladson Hinton
Jan 27, 2015·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Diogo S M SamiaWilliam E Cooper
Aug 19, 2021·Scientific Reports·Anthony Santana Ferreira, Renato Gomes Faria

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