Sex does not affect tail autotomy in lacertid lizards

摘要: Caudal autotomy is one of the most effective and widespread defensive mechanisms among lizards. When predators grasp tail, lizards are able to shed it from point attack further. Numerous factors have been reported affect tail-shedding performance such as temperature, age, predation pressure, intraspecific competition etc. Interestingly, impact sex on tail loss remains greatly understudied. Here, we analyzed performance, simulated in lab, 12 species lacertid belonging five genera ( Algyroides , Anatololacerta Hellenolacerta Ophisops Podarcis ). Our aim was investigate whether affects caudal and/or duration post-autotomic movement. We failed detect any effect examined. Also, did not find sexual movement after autotomy, with a single exception. findings suggest that serves tactic equally both sexes used same extent.