Water anoles, a semi-aquatic lizard found in the tropical forests of southern Costa Rica, can dive underwater and stay submerged for over 15 minutes thanks to an air bubble they create. This unique bubble-making mechanism helps them escape predators, allowing them to exhale air before diving and then rebreath as the bubble forms and remains due to their specialized skin properties.
The research showed that when anoles were treated to prevent bubble formation, they were able to stay underwater only 32% less time than untreated lizards, emphasizing the significance of the bubble in extending their underwater longevity.
Earyn McGee's curiosity about potential underwater predators illustrates a wider interest in understanding the evolutionary and ecological implications of the water anoles' bubble mechanism, prompting questions about their survival strategies in aquatic environments.
Swierk highlights the importance of fundamental science in her research on anoles, indicating that such basic studies often lead to significant discoveries that can influence technology and materials used in human engineering.
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