The trade-off between color and size in lizards' conspicuous tails

Abstract

A tail of conspicuous coloration is hypothesized to be an advantageous trait for many species of lizards. Predator attacks would be directed to a non-vital, and autotomizable, body part, increasing the chance of survival. However, as body size increases it also increases the signaling area that could attract predators from greater distances, increasing the overall chance of predation. Here, we test the hypothesis that there is a trade-off between tail color and size, affecting predation probabilities. We used plasticine replicas of lizards to study the predation patterns of small and large lizards with red and blue tails. In a natural environment, we exposed six hundred replicas subjected to the attack of free-ranging predators. Large red-tailed models were attacked more quickly, and more intensely, by birds. Mammals and unidentified predators showed no preference for any size or colors. The attacks were not primarily directed to conspicuous tails when compared to the body or the head of our replicas. Our study suggests that red color signals in large lizards could enhance their detection by visually oriented predators (i.e., birds). The efficacy of conspicuous tails as a decoy may rely on associated behavioral displays, which are hard to test with static replicas. HighlightsO_LIThe roles of blue and red tails as decoys were not corroborated. C_LIO_LITail color and size interact while influencing predation rates. C_LIO_LILarger red-tailed lizards are more prone to be attacked by birds. C_LIO_LIThe benefit of having conspicuous tails appears to decrease as body size increases. C_LI