Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity
ABSTRACT We examined the emergence behavior of spot‐tailed earless lizards (STEL; Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis). Using controlled laboratory and seminatural experiments, we evaluated the effects of UV light, visible light, temperature, and prey activity on STEL emergence timing. Our result...
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Wiley
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71814 |
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| author | E. Drake Rangel Christin A. Moeller Ruby A. Ayala Scott E. Henke David B. Wester Cord B. Eversole |
| author_facet | E. Drake Rangel Christin A. Moeller Ruby A. Ayala Scott E. Henke David B. Wester Cord B. Eversole |
| author_sort | E. Drake Rangel |
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| description | ABSTRACT We examined the emergence behavior of spot‐tailed earless lizards (STEL; Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis). Using controlled laboratory and seminatural experiments, we evaluated the effects of UV light, visible light, temperature, and prey activity on STEL emergence timing. Our results revealed that the combination of UV and visible light was the primary trigger for STEL emergence, aligning with peak light intensity and suggesting a physiological adaptation mediated through the parietal eye. In addition, the median time of emergence was 5 min after the initiation of LED and UV lights regardless of the time of day. Peak STEL activity occurred between 14:01 and 16:00 h with nearly 50% of STEL aboveground. This delayed emergence after sunrise allows for rapid thermoregulation, minimizing basking time while reducing predation risk by avoiding periods of peak predator (e.g., birds of prey, diurnal snakes) activity, which typically occurs during early morning and late afternoon hours, which is characteristic of arid systems. Moreover, the timing likely optimizes vitamin D3 synthesis, crucial for metabolic health, and minimizes energy expenditure associated with prolonged thermoregulation. STEL's emergence patterns contrast with sympatric species, typically occurring during midday rather than early morning or late evening hours, suggesting a reliance on unique diel niches. Little is known about STEL's ecology, particularly regarding their diel niche and activity patterns, which likely play a crucial adaptive role in species survival and success. Our findings demonstrate the importance of habitat‐specific light regimes in shaping the behaviors of reptiles and provide a model for understanding adaptive strategies in light‐sensitive species. As habitat degradation and climate change alter light and thermal environments, these behaviors may be disrupted, emphasizing the need for conservation practices that preserve open, sunlit habitats. This study contributes to our understanding of the ecological adaptations of reptiles and informs conservation strategies for species in arid and semiarid ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36f36808a9ab401ea90d23e20782a0fe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-36f36808a9ab401ea90d23e20782a0fe2025-08-20T03:58:44ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-07-01157n/an/a10.1002/ece3.71814Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel ActivityE. Drake Rangel0Christin A. Moeller1Ruby A. Ayala2Scott E. Henke3David B. Wester4Cord B. Eversole5Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville Texas USADepartment of Chemistry and Biology Texas A&M International University Laredo Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville Texas USAArthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches Texas USAABSTRACT We examined the emergence behavior of spot‐tailed earless lizards (STEL; Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis). Using controlled laboratory and seminatural experiments, we evaluated the effects of UV light, visible light, temperature, and prey activity on STEL emergence timing. Our results revealed that the combination of UV and visible light was the primary trigger for STEL emergence, aligning with peak light intensity and suggesting a physiological adaptation mediated through the parietal eye. In addition, the median time of emergence was 5 min after the initiation of LED and UV lights regardless of the time of day. Peak STEL activity occurred between 14:01 and 16:00 h with nearly 50% of STEL aboveground. This delayed emergence after sunrise allows for rapid thermoregulation, minimizing basking time while reducing predation risk by avoiding periods of peak predator (e.g., birds of prey, diurnal snakes) activity, which typically occurs during early morning and late afternoon hours, which is characteristic of arid systems. Moreover, the timing likely optimizes vitamin D3 synthesis, crucial for metabolic health, and minimizes energy expenditure associated with prolonged thermoregulation. STEL's emergence patterns contrast with sympatric species, typically occurring during midday rather than early morning or late evening hours, suggesting a reliance on unique diel niches. Little is known about STEL's ecology, particularly regarding their diel niche and activity patterns, which likely play a crucial adaptive role in species survival and success. Our findings demonstrate the importance of habitat‐specific light regimes in shaping the behaviors of reptiles and provide a model for understanding adaptive strategies in light‐sensitive species. As habitat degradation and climate change alter light and thermal environments, these behaviors may be disrupted, emphasizing the need for conservation practices that preserve open, sunlit habitats. This study contributes to our understanding of the ecological adaptations of reptiles and informs conservation strategies for species in arid and semiarid ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71814emergenceHolbrookia lacerataHolbrookia subcaudalisPlateau spot‐tailed earless lizardTamaulipan spot‐tailed earless lizardthermoregulation |
| spellingShingle | E. Drake Rangel Christin A. Moeller Ruby A. Ayala Scott E. Henke David B. Wester Cord B. Eversole Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity Ecology and Evolution emergence Holbrookia lacerata Holbrookia subcaudalis Plateau spot‐tailed earless lizard Tamaulipan spot‐tailed earless lizard thermoregulation |
| title | Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity |
| title_full | Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity |
| title_fullStr | Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity |
| title_short | Adaptive Emergence Patterns of Spot‐Tailed Earless Lizards: Influence of UV Light and Temperature on Diel Activity |
| title_sort | adaptive emergence patterns of spot tailed earless lizards influence of uv light and temperature on diel activity |
| topic | emergence Holbrookia lacerata Holbrookia subcaudalis Plateau spot‐tailed earless lizard Tamaulipan spot‐tailed earless lizard thermoregulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71814 |
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