Tropical Lizards with Scuba-Diving Abilities Discovered in the US

In a groundbreaking study, scientists from Binghamton University have discovered a unique species of tropical lizard in the United States that can breathe underwater. The lizard, known as Anolis aquaticus, has developed a fascinating survival mechanism that involves releasing air bubbles through its nostrils. 

The Role of Air Bubbles in Underwater Survival

The primary survival strategy of Anolis aquaticus revolves around using air bubbles to breathe underwater. 

By releasing bubbles through their nostrils, these lizards can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes or more. 

This adaptation helps them avoid predators like birds and snakes. Swierk describes the water anoles as “kind of like the chicken nuggets of the forest,” as many predators hunt them. 

The bubbles not only enable the lizards to stay hidden underwater but also allow them to take refuge until the danger has passed.

The study’s senior author, Lindsey Swierk, notes that while the water anoles have been observed before, the functional role of the air bubbles was not previously understood. 

Swierk and her team conducted experiments to determine whether these bubbles serve a respiratory function or are merely a by-product of the lizard’s skin properties. 

By applying an emollient to the lizard’s skin, researchers discovered that the hydrophobic skin typically allows air to stick to the surface, enabling bubble formation. 

This finding demonstrates that these bubbles play a vital role in the lizard’s ability to remain underwater longer.

The Experiment and Its Findings

To understand the functionality of the bubbles, researchers covered the lizard’s skin with an emollient to prevent bubble formation.

This experiment showed that the lizards’ skin is hydrophobic, which helps in the attachment of air bubbles. 

When the skin was treated, the bubbles no longer formed, indicating that they play a crucial role in the lizard’s ability to breathe underwater. 

This finding marks the first clear evidence of bubbles being used adaptively by lizards to stay underwater for longer periods, aiding in their survival.

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