A Neuroethological Study of Display Behavior in the LizardAnolis Carolinensis(Reptilia, Lacertilia, Iguanidae)

Abstract

A behavior inventory and ethogram for display behavior, an atlas of the principal forebrain nuclei and fiber tracts, and microtechniques for stereotaxic surgery were developed in conjunction with a study of forebrain involvement in the display behavior of Anolis carolinensis In a behavior inventory of 100 units consisting of states and events, forty-seven were observed exclusively or frequently in social situations. An analysis of the effects of forebrain lesions on two stereotyped displays indicated involvement of the striatal area of the basal forebrain in species-typical “challenge” displays that are characteristic of territorial encounters between adult conspecifics. “Assertive” displays associated with elevated behavioral arousal were not significantly affected Lesions confined to the dorsal ventricular ridge resulted in no significant deficits in either display type.