AbstractExperiments were conducted to assess the effect of various levels of food deprivation (1, 2, 3, or 4-day periods) on tongue extrusions as well as attractivity and proceptivity components of sexual behavior in the sceloperine lizard Sceloporus jarrovii. Results showed sex differences with respect to effects of food deprivation on the attractiveness of male and female lizard odors toward conspecifics (attractivity). Males spent more time extruding their tongue to touch blocks containing odors of ad libitum-fed females as compared to odors from females deprived of food for 4 days, while spending a similar amount of time investigating blocks containing odors of ad libitum-fed females and females deprived of food for less than 4 days. In contrast, females spent similar amounts of time investigating odors associated with ad libitum-fed as well as food-deprived conspecifics. Results also showed that one day of food deprivation was sufficient to inhibit the desire to initiate or maintain contact with opposite-sex conspecifics (receptivity).
A behavioral field approach to general activity: Sex differences and food deprivation in the rat
