DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Survival of the Gutsiest: A Study on Function and Quality of Signals Given to an Incoming Predator by Anolis Lizards

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The evolution of communication is a central theme in behavioral biology.Historically, research has focused on social interactions as the selectiveforce for the evolution of communication, however interactions with membersof other species can also be a selective force in the evolution of signals.This project proposes to expand the PI's understanding of the evolution ofsignals by investigating the function and the quality of the signalsperformed by three species of Anolis lizards during predator-preyinteractions under natural conditions. Possibilities include that they areeither trying to misdirect the predators' attention or trying to deter thepredators' attack. Particularly interesting is the observation thatdifferences among species in the use of conspicuous signals againstpredators may be correlated with differences among species in physiologicalcapacity. These questions will be addressed by combining observations ofthe lizards' responses to predators with laboratory measures of lizards'physiological capacity. A major controversy regarding the evolution of signals, including thoseused by the prey during predator-prey interactions, is the nature of themessage encoded in the signals. Is the prey notifying the predator that ithas been detected, or is it producing more specific information about itsescape abilities? Surprisingly, no empirical data have addressed thiscontroversy. The results of this project promise to add to ourunderstanding of the evolution and quality of signals performed duringpredator-prey interactions. Furthermore, because the signals that are usedduring predation episodes are also used socially, these results can alsohelp us to understand the evolution and quality of signals that are usedduring social interactions.