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See and be seen. In the elaborate game of seeking and attracting a mate, male anole lizards have a special trick—they grab attention by perching on a tree limb, bobbing their heads up and down, and extending a colorful throat fan, called a dewlap. Among anoles living in shaded habitats, the dewlap is often translucent.
It passes as much or more light through it from the back as it reflects from the front. According to a new study, the dramatic “glowing” effect increases the efficacy of the male lizard’s visual signal, making them stand out better to females.Image credit: Manuel Leal
