260 
Carpenter 
DISPLAY- ACTION-PATTERNS OF SCELOPORUS SPECIES IN VARIABILIS GROUP 
0 12 3 
CQZU M EL AE 
TEAPENSIS 
VQ^RIABILIS 
PARVUS 
Figure 8. Representative display-action-pattern graphs of the five species of the variabilis group of the 
iguanid genus Sceloporus from Mexico. These graphs indicate the time-motion sequences of the front-leg 
pushups performed by the displaying males of these species. 
(Ferguson, 1971), as well as certain species 
exhibiting more than one type of aggressive 
display (Jenssen, 1975). 
Generally, small sceloporine lizards, dis- 
playing from elevated sites such as high 
boulders, brush, and trees exhibit more color 
and exaggerated movements than ground 
dwellers which only infrequently utilize 
higher sites. Ground dwellers also show less 
color and less exaggerated movements and 
generally appear to be less adapted to com- 
municating over longer distances. 
It is quite characteristic of iguanid and 
agamid lizards when displaying at close 
range during an encounter with a conspecific 
male to assume a position of lateral presenta- 
