INTRASPECIFIC AGGRESSION IN ABRONIA-VASCONCELOSII (SAURIA, ANGUIDAE), A TROPICAL, ARBOREAL LIZARD

We examined the behavior patterns and the extent of aggression exhibited during intraspecific interactions in Abronia vasconcelosii, a tropical, arboreal lizard from Gautemala. Interactions between these lizards in three types of paired trials (male-male, female-female, male-female) were videotaped in the laboratory. Nine behavior patterns were exhibited by A. vasconcelosii in the trials. Neither body size nor residency status influenced the frequency of behavior patterns. Encounters between males were longest in duration, involved the most interactions, and resulted in the most extensive aggression in the form of biting. Males bit males more often then females bit females and the location of the bites differed. Bite location was nonrandom in both cases with the majority of bites in male-male encounters directed at the trial and more evenly distributed among the head, trunk, and tail in female-female encounters.