Scientists have discovered a fascinating breathing technique used by small lizards called diving anoles to prolong their stay underwater. The reptiles store oxygen in their bodies and then use it to breathe through a bubble that forms on their heads, allowing them to remain submerged for up to 3 ½ minutes.
Dr. Lindsey Swierk, an assistant research professor at Binghamton University, has been studying diving anoles for nearly a decade. Her recent findings were published in the journal Biology Letters, where she reported on the lizards’ ability to breathe using stored oxygen and a bubble that forms on their heads.
The study found that the formation of this bubble directly affects how long an anole can stay submerged. During experiments, anoles that used bubbles to breathe remained underwater for an average of 3 ½ minutes, which is about 32% longer than those that were prevented from forming air bubbles.
This technique allows diving anoles to hide from predators on land and is a vital survival strategy when camouflage fails. According to Dr. Earyn McGee, a herpetologist specializing in lizards, this behavior is “such a fascinating thing” and will add to our understanding of how these lizards evolved their underwater breathing techniques.
However, there are some drawbacks to this scuba-like tactic. For diving anoles, the process of storing oxygen can make them feel chilly due to the cold water temperatures they typically inhabit. Additionally, if a submerged lizard is still visible, it may simply wait for it to resurface, making it vulnerable to predators.
The scientists hope to further understand the mechanism behind anoles’ bubble breathing through collaborations with multiple research groups. One area of investigation is how the anoles’ head shapes or microscopic structures in their scales affect the volume of air filling their bubbles. Another unresolved question is how diving anoles store and circulate oxygen while underwater.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/science/diving-anole-lizard-breathing-underwater/index.html