Responses of Five-Lined Skinks (Eumeces fasciatus) and Ground Skinks (Scincella lateralis) to Conspecific and Interspecific Chemical Cues

Abstract

Responses of 5-lined skinks (E. fasciatus) and ground skinks (S. lateralis) to conspecific and interspecific chemical cues were examined in a small animal olfactometer. In the 1st experiment, 5-lined skinks significantly approached odors of conspecifics. Males exhibited significantly higher snout-dip and tongue-flick rates than females. Ground skinks also responded to conspecific odors, but in a more complex fashion. Male odors were avoided by both male and female ground skinks. Males, but not females, significantly approached female odors. Females responded randomly to female odors (i.e., they were neither approached nor avoided). Although male and female ground skinks were equivalent with respect to tongue-flick rates, females exhibited greater snout-dip rates. In the 2nd experiment skinks of both species responded randomly when presented with odors of the other species. Five-lined and ground skinks utilize and respond to consepcific chemical signals, or pheromones. Potential roles of these pheromone-mediated responses in nature are discussed.