Presentation Details
| The dance between hormones and behavior: social interactions in a neotropical lizard Stefania P.R Ventura1, Paulo Enrique C.Peixoto2, José Eduardo de Carvalo3, Conrado A.B.Galdino4, Fernando R.Gomes1. 1Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.3Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo Campus Diadema, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil.4Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade de Meio Ambiente, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
Abstract
Anti-predator behaviors, such as escape, involve trade-offs between avoiding predation and costs like energy expenditure, reduced foraging, and lost reproductive opportunities. These costs can be particularly high for territorial males, who may resist fleeing to protect territories and mating opportunities. However, the mechanisms explaining this relationship remain poorly understood. Agonistic interactions trigger glucocorticoid (corticosterone, CORT) release, a hormone that regulates stress and can increase aggressiveness and risk-taking. Using the lizard Eurolophosaurus nanuzae, we tested two hypotheses: (i) whether social stress from agonistic interactions increases CORT secretion and (ii) whether elevated CORT levels induce males to accept greater predation risk during a predation event. We measured CORT after agonistic interactions and manipulated CORT levels before simulated predation. Males involved in agonistic interactions had higher CORT, and individuals with elevated CORT were more resistant to escaping, though refuge use did not change. These results suggest that CORT mediates escape decisions, emphasizing the role of physiology in behaviors critical to fitness.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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