Population differences in a lizard communicative display: evidence for rapid change in structure and function

Push up displays in three populations of sagebrush lizards, Sceloropus graciosus, were monitored to determine variation in the display behavior in different populations. Differences in display body postures, the number of legs extended to display the up-and-down motion and the number of headbobs differ in the three populations under investigation. Further, each population has at least one unique behavior. The push-up display appears to be undergoing a rapid change in structure and function.