A species of lizard has evolved ‘scuba-diving’ skills that allow it to stay underwater for 16 minutes, a new study has revealed.
The lizard, called the water anole, has developed these skills to help it hide from predators for long periods of time.
Dr Lindsey Swierk, assistant research professor of biological sciences at Binghamptom University, said: “Diving under water and remaining there for a long time is an anti-predator strategy for water anoles.
“These lizards aren't particularly speedy, and taking to the water is a very effective option.
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“It's easy to 'disappear' to a predator's eye once you hide under water for a few minutes.
“I think that any underwater breathing adaptations in water anoles would have arisen to extend the amount of time they can stay in their underwater refuge.”
Initial studies suggest that anoles may have formed underwater reparation systems consisting of a recycled air bubble that clings to the animal’s head.
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Dr Swierk said: “I was impressed and pretty confused about the length of the dive, which gave me an itch to take a closer look with an underwater camera in the next couple of years.
“That's when I saw that the anoles appeared to be rebreathing a bubble of air that covered their heads."
The team now plans to carry out follow-up studies to understand the physiology behind this adaptation.
Dr Swierk added: “If future investigation reveals that this rebreathing behaviour is adaptive, then I would imagine that it is a trait that evolved over time to allow water anoles, and perhaps similar anole species, to thrive in their aquatic habitats.”
