Data and description of analysis of the paper "Defensive behavior and caudal autotomy rate in Coleodactylus meridionalis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae)"

Lizards can display several antipredatory behaviors. Here, we describe antipredatory behaviors of Coleodactylus meridionalis in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil using Ad libtum method for behavioral observation. We also tested if body size and sex predict the incidence of caudal autotomy. We recorded six antipredatory behaviors in 253 specimens. Hiding was the most common behavior (55.34%), followed by immobility (18.18%), run away (17.79%), caudal autotomy (4.35%), cloacal discharge (2.37%), and escape by jumps (1.97%). Of the 223 specimens collected for analysis of caudal autotomy, 48.9% had autotomized tails and 51.1% had intact tails. About 55% of individuals with autotomized tail were found with a regenerating tail and 45% did not. The tail had at least two points of autotomy: a distal one and a basal one. The frequency of tail loss was 46.7%. The probability of autotomy decreased with increasing body size independently of sex. Our results can help understand the causes of tail autotomy and guide future studies on behavioral ecology of this lizard species.