Visual asymmetry of predator response in Podarcis muralis lizards

Previous studies on lateralization in common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) revealed a left eye bias in response to predatory threat both in captivity and in the wild. We conducted an experiment with the same species under monocular conditions of vision, using temporary eye patching. Lizard were presented with a simulated predatory attack from the side of the non patched eye. Lizards which had their left eye uncovered used the same (left) eye to monitor the predator during predatory threat, whereas lizards with their right eye uncovered tried to use their left eye, in spite of the fact that it was patched. In addition, lizards frequently showed a body C-bending in order to try to change the eye exposition towards the simulated predator. Right-eyed lizards showed such a C-bending behaviour more frequently and faster than left-eyed lizards, trying to keep monitored the predator using their left eye, even though patched. The results agree with evidence for visual asymmetries observed under binocular conditions in laboratory and in the wild in this species, suggesting that the right side of the brain (left eye) selectively attend to predatory threat.