Signalling displays during predator-prey interactions in a Puerto Rican anole, Anolis cristatellus

We examined conspicuous signalling displays in the context of predator-prey interactions. To determine in which context Puerto Rican crested anoles, Anolis cristatellusperform conspicuous signals, we exposed wild lizards to a model of a natural snake predator. The lizards gave six behavioural responses to the model: immobility, predator inspection, flight, lateral face-off, dewlapping and push-ups. They displayed significantly more push-ups and push-up bouts in the presence of the snake model. Alternative theories regarding the function of conspicuous signals in A. cristatellusthe flash concealment and predator deterrent hypotheses, were also tested. The flash concealment hypothesis proposes that the sudden display exhibition of signalling behaviour followed by the flight of the animal may confuse the predator about the position of the prey, thus causing the predator to abort the attack. The pursuit deterrent hypothesis contends that because the chances of the predator successfully attacking its prey decrease when the prey is aware of the incoming predator, prey have evolved signalling behaviours that communicate to the predator that it has been detected, therefore discouraging the attack. Results supported the use of push-ups, dewlapping, lateral face-off and predator inspection as predator deterrent signals. During the recognition phase of a predatory encounter, A. cristatellus may rely more on behavioural signals than on flight to avoid predation. Because the predator deterrent signals are the same as the signals used in social interactions, it is suggested that predation pressure may have reinforced the effects of sexual selection in the evolution of Anolis signalling displays.Copyright 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour