Behavior and Neurology of Lizards 
N. Greenberg and P. D. MacLean, eds. 
NIMH, 1978. 
Display Diversity in Anoline Lizards 
and Problems of Interpretation 
Thomas A. Jenssen 
Biology Department 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 
SUMMARY. Anoline display characteristics have been found to vary considerably among 
species. Examples are provided to contrast: (1) degree of stereotypy in displays, (2) degree of 
display complexity, and (3) size of display repertoire. Behavioral methods are described. 
A classification scheme is suggested to differentiate display types and deal with display vari- 
ability: (1) Intra-population stereotypy refers to display elements having population-wide stere- 
otypy; these characterize a display’s pattern and help define a display type. (2) Intra-individual 
stereotypy refers to display elements that are typical for an individual, vary among population 
members, and make individual recognition possible. (3) Intra-population variability refers to 
display elements that vary population-wide, may vary in a like manner and extent for all popu- 
lation members, and reflect the displayer’s relative level of arousal. (4) Pattern variability 
refers to display elements which vary so much that no stereotypy is evident. 
A survey of display diversity among anoline lizards is presented along with a discussion of 
display analysis. 
I then speculate on factors affecting display evolution, such as social organization and features 
of the habitat. 
INTRODUCTION 
Anoline social displays exhibit broad be- 
havioral diversity. For iguanid lizards, these 
social signals are basically comprised of 
stereotyped body and head movements. For 
Anolis, an added measure of display versatil- 
ity is provided by the extensible and colorful 
dewlap (throat fan), a hallmark of the 
genus. It provides an added dimension to 
visual signaling and is used in conjunction 
with head bobbing, body pushups, tail move- 
ments, and various posturings to communi- 
cate social intent and relative motivation. 
Display repertoires of anoles appear to be 
more extensive than those of any other 
studied iguanid genus. However, within 
Anolis, there exist considerable interspecific 
differences with respect to body parts used in 
displays, temporal patterning of body move- 
ments, total number of displays within a 
species’ repertoire, and degree of stereotypy 
of the displays. 
These differences are not suprising in view 
of the great ecological and social diversity 
exhibited in this genus. For example, more 
than any other group of iguanid lizards, 
anoline species exhibit extensive ecological 
radiation. Anoles have adapted to a wide 
range of niche dimensions as exemplified by 
the following comparisons. Anolis onca of 
Venezuela survives in a notably xeric habi- 
tat, while Anolis townsendi has adapted to 
the almost perpetual precipitation of Cocos 
Island. Anolis poncensis inhabits bright open 
areas of Puerto Rico, as contrasted to the 
deep shade environs of the forest and cave 
dwelling Anolis lucms of Cuba. The small 
size of Anolis semilineatus of Haiti is adap- 
tive for living in the species’ grass habitat, 
while the giant Anolis cuvieri of Puerto 
Rico is found high in the crowns of trees. 
Anolis sagrei, a successful colonizing species, 
appears to have broad ecological tolerances, 
while the opposite applies to Anolis recon^ 
ditvs, which has a very restricted distribu- 
tion in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. 
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