Fluorescence in amphibians and reptiles: new cases and insights

Abstract

Fluorescence in amphibians and reptiles has emerged as a prominent study subject in recent years, with research focused on understanding its function and diversity. As the knowledge of fluorescence in vertebrates is still understudied, we surveyed amphibian and reptile species in montane and lowland Atlantic Forest sites to evaluate presence or absence of fluorescence. By randomly sampling species, we found evidence of fluorescence in amphibians of the genera Scinax, Brachycephalus and Hylodes, and reptiles of the genera Bothrops, Enyalius and Hemidactylus. Our findings increase the list of known species that may benefit from fluorescent patterns. Fluorescence was either ocular, dermal, or subdermal related to the skeleton or ossified dermal structures. Whether these species are able to see and interpret the different the patterns generated by fluorescent structures is yet to be discovered.

Keywords

• Biofluorescence
• Coloration
• Herpetofauna
• Natural history
• Ontogeny
• Sexual dimorphism