Observations on the escape behaviour in Teius oculatus and T. teyou (Reptilia: Squamata: Teiidae)

Abstract

Lizards exhibit a variety of anti-predator strategies, but the most commonly used is escape. In the case of the lizard genus Teius they use mimesis with vegetation as a first strategy and escape as the second tactic. These lizards are fast runners and can run even using only the hind legs. Here we present data on the escape behaviour on Teius oculatus and Teius teyou in different environments. A total of 30 days of field work were carried out in different areas of Paraguay during 2013 and 2014. We analysed a total of 103 records of Teius teyou and 35 of T. oculatus. All individuals of T. oculatus kept a close distance to vegetation/shelters, while T. teyou were more exposed to sight. Differences in foraging distances from the shelters between T. teyou and T. oculatus are statistically significant (K=0.2952, p=0.9609). Approach distance was similar between these two species (U=1687.5, Z=5.28, p≤0.01), but usually T. oculatus allowed a closer approach distance. After the first sprint (once a lizard was detected) T. oculatus almost always remained under the vegetation, while T. teyou showed more diverse patterns of behaviour; there was a significant difference between the species (χ2=51.069, df=3, p˂0.0001). These are the first records of escape behaviour in lizards of the genus Teius. Knowledge of behaviour and habitat use can help addressing conservation actions in places with anthropogenic alterations. In this case, T. teyou is a species adapted to forage near human dwellings and can be even present in gardens. On the other hand, T. oculatus seems to be shyer, but is able to inhabit small vegetation patches. Despite being two species living close to humans, the preservation of different kinds of shelters may be required to maintain the suitability of the habitat.