The adaptive significance of a complex caudal adaptation in the tropical gekkonid lizard Lygodactylus klugei

Abstract

The tail of the Brazilian gekkonid lizard, Lygodactylus klugei, exhibits a suite of characteristics associated with both tail retention and tail loss adaptations. Tails are specialized for locomotion, possess specialized cutaneous glands, and are high in lipid and energy content. Tail loss in a natural population, however, is high and presumably associated with escape from predation via tail autotomy. The importance of the presence of a complete tail both functionally and for future predator escape is reflected by rapid regeneration of a tail complete with specialized functionally important structures.