In a remarkable discovery, researchers from Binghamton University have revealed the secret behind a semi-aquatic lizard's ability to breathe underwater. New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York, revealed that a species of semi-aquatic lizard creates a unique bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater and evade predators.
Dr Lindsey Swierk, the lead researcher on the study, has been examining this extraordinary behaviour. She had previously observed the lizards using a bubble underwater. When threatened by a predator, these lizards dive beneath the surface and create a bubble over their heads to breathe.
“We know that they can stay underwater for a really long time. We also know that they’re pulling oxygen from this bubble of air,” said Swierk. “We didn’t know whether there was actually any functional role for this bubble in respiration. Is it something that lizards do that is just a side effect of their skin’s properties or a respiratory reflex, or is this bubble actually allowing them to stay underwater longer than they would, say, without a bubble?," said Swierk, as reported by the Binghamton University.
To investigate whether bubbles play a crucial role in underwater respiration, Dr Swierk conducted an experiment where she applied a substance to the skin of some lizards to prevent bubble formation, while leaving a control group untreated.
The results were striking, lizards that could form bubbles stayed underwater 32% longer than those that could not.
This groundbreaking study, published in Biology Letters, offers the first concrete evidence of the adaptive significance of these rebreathing bubbles. “This is really significant because this is the first experiment that truly shows adaptive significance of bubbles. Rebreathing bubbles allow lizards to stay underwater longer. Before, we suspected it – we saw a pattern – but we didn’t actually test if it served a functional role,” said Swierk, as reported by Binghamton University.
Dr Swierk compared these lizards to "chicken nuggets of the forest," highlighting their susceptibility to predators like birds and snakes. By diving underwater and staying motionless, they can effectively avoid danger for up to 20 minutes or more.