Correlates of Tail Losses in Twelve Species of Liolaemus Lizards

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Abstract
The relative frequencies of naturally occurring tail losses in 12 spp. of central Chile Liolaemus [L. altissimus, L. chiliensis, L. fuscus, L. lemniscatus, L. leopardinus, L. monticola, L. nigromaculatus, L. nigroviridis, L. nitidus, L. platei, L. schroederi and L. tenuis] are reported. Percentages vary between 23.8-77.2%. In an attempt to explain these differences, percent tail loss was correlated with an estimate of time exposed to predators (size of the lizards), with an estimate of intraspecific susceptibility to predators (sexual dimorphism), and with percent occupation of conspicuous perches. Partial correlation analysis exhibited statistical significance only with the latter variable suggesting that visibility to predators could be causally related to tail losses. Frequency of tail loss is not a measure of predation pressure, but of successful escapes after at least 1 close encounter with a predator.

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