Testing the functionality of lipids from feces in the conspecific recognition of the weeping lizard, Liolaemus chiliensis

Abstract

Pheromones, a mix of proteins and lipids, are involved in lizards’ conspecific recognition. In our study, we specifically address whether fecal lipids are involved in conspecific recognition of the Weeping Lizard, Liolaemus chiliensis. The feces of each sex were dissolved in n-hexane to isolate their lipidic fraction. We then exposed individuals of both sexes of L. chiliensis to the lipidic fractions of each sex and a control (n-hexane), recording their responses. Lizards of both sexes were more active when exposed to the lipids from male than from female feces or from the control, suggesting that the lipidic fraction of male feces conveys some information for conspecific recognition. There was, however, no further evidence of recognition, and herein we offer possible explanations for this low responsiveness to the fecal lipidic fractions.