Behavior of Lizards

Vincent Bels was born in Verviers, Belgium. He completed his PhD on the association between ethology and functional morphology at the University of Liège (Liège, Belgium). He used lizards as a key model to investigate the process of behavioral ritualization. He was Research Fellow and then Assistant Professor at the University of Liège (Belgium) for more than 10 years. Then he taught Biology, Zoology and Ecology, and developed an applied research program on feeding behavior in domestic animals at the Haute Ecole Condorcet and its associated Agronomic Centre (Belgium) for 10 years. He became Professor at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris, France) in 2005, and in this capacity served as joint director of a Mixed Research Unit (CNRS/MNHN, France) for over 7 years, as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris, France) for 8 years, and as a member of the Scientific Sections of the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France) for a similar period. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, 10 chapters, and 6 books. The major theme of his research publications is the study of feeding, drinking and displaying in lizards, although he also published some papers on feeding and locomotion in fishes and birds. His main objective is the integration of behavioral and morphological studies into a comprehensive understanding of the "Form-Function" complex as it relates to the evolution of the trophic system of Vertebrates.

Lizards are model organisms for a series of biological questions related to evolution, ecology, physiology, and morphology, studied at multiple spatial and temporal scales from individual to community levels. This book explains the mechanisms underlying the evolution and adaptation of these organisms.

Introduction. "Everyday" Behavior. Behavioral thermoregulation in lizards: Strategies for achieving preferred temperature. Lizard locomotion: relationships between behavior, performance, and function. Lizard foraging - A Perspective Integrating Sensory Ecology and Life Histories. Predatory behavior in lizards: strategies and mechanisms for catching prey. Antipredator behavioral mechanisms: avoidance, deterrence, escape and encounter. Social Behavior and Communication. The physiological control of social behavior in lizards. Sensory processing in relation to signaling behavior. Phylogeny and ontogeny of lizard display behavior. Behavioral ecology of aggressive behavior in lizards. Stable social grouping in lizards. Environmental impact, global change and behavior Hydroregulation - a neglected behavioral response of lizards to climate change? Impact of human-induced environmental changes on lizard behavior: insights from urbanization