Tail loss reduces home range size and access to females in male lizards, Psammodromus algirus

Numerous lizard species use caudal autotomy as an antipredator device even though there must be significant costs during the period of tail regeneration. Strategies used by tailless individuals to enhance survival in natural populations are still poorly understood. We experimentally examine tail loss in large, dominant males of Psammodromus algirus in the middle of the breeding season in the field. We report data showing home range reduction of large dominant males after autotomy, reduction in the number of females in the home ranges of manipulated males, and a potential increase in mating opportunities of small subordinate males with complete tails. We conclude that changes in home range use because of desertion of areas with less cover can result in decreased predation risk at the cost of decreased access to females.