First report of caudal display in the longtail whiptail aurivela longicauda (squamata: teiidae)

Abstract

Squamate tail movement has multiple functions, including intraspecific communication, defense, autotomy, aggression, and feeding. Here we report for the first time the occurrence of caudal luring in Longtail Whiptail (Aurivela longicauda, Teiidae), endemic lizard distributed in the Monte Desert region in Patagonia, Argentina. The specimen was buried underground, and only the reddish part of the tail was sticking out of the sand. The tail was extended and subvertically oriented and the individual was wagging and curling the tail laterally, doing a slow tail wag with intermittent “flailing”, resembling the movement that earthworms do out of the ground. Knowing that the Aurivela species are almost insectivores, with particular predilection on gregarious insects (e.g., termites and ants), it is not improbable that tail having worm-like coloration and movement may act as a luring for attrack prey for consumption.