| Title: | Detection and discrimination of conspecific scents by the anguid slow-worm Anguis fragilis |
| Author(s): | Gonzalo A; Cabido C; Martin J; Lopez P; |
| Address: | "Departamento de Ecologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain" |
| DOI: | 10.1023/b:joec.0000042068.45418.d5 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "We tested the ability of male slow-worms, Anguis fragilis, a limbless anguid lizard with secretive, semifossorial habits, to detect chemical associated with conspecifics by using a T-maze in the laboratory. Male slow-worms discriminated conspecific male and female scent deposits. Males selected the arm with female scent, suggesting that scent deposits may be used to locate potential mates. Also, male slow-worms did not avoid the chemicals of other males, suggesting that they are not territorial. However, males discriminated their own scent from those of other males, and spent more time exploring the arm with other male scent, which suggests that scent marks may bear information that could be used in future intrasexual social contexts. We conclude that discrimination of conspecifics based on scents may be more widespread than previously expected among lizards inhabiting visually restricted environments" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Discrimination Learning/*physiology Female Hindlimb/*physiology *Lizards Male Maze Learning/physiology Pheromones/chemistry/*physiology Smell/*physiology Social Behavior Stimulation, Chemical;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineGonzalo, Adega Cabido, Carlos Martin, Jose Lopez, Pilar eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2004/11/13 J Chem Ecol. 2004 Aug; 30(8):1565-73. doi: 10.1023/b:joec.0000042068.45418.d5" |
