A new study on a species of semi-aquatic lizard has revealed the amazing ability of these reptiles to dive and breathe underwater. Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York, have discovered that the aquatic lizard, native to the tropical forests of southern Costa Rica, produces bubbles to escape predators and breathe underwater.
According to the scieific news departme of Techna Technology Media, Lindsay Swirk, the main researcher of this study, explains that aquatic lizards can stay under water for a significa period of time by creating an air bubble on their nose. This bubble acts as an oxygen tank and allows the lizard to take shelter underwater in times of danger.
To investigate the role of these bubbles in the breathing of lizards, researchers preveed the formation of bubbles on their noses by using special materials. The results of this experime showed that the lizards that were unable to produce bubbles could stay underwater for a shorter period of time. This finding proved the vital importance of bubbles in the underwater breathing process of this species of lizards.
Researchers are investigating the possibility that lizards use a mechanism similar to the physical gills of insects. Insects use air bubbles to extract the oxygen they need from water. However, due to the larger size of lizards, their respiratory mechanism is probably more complex. This new discovery expands our understanding of animal adaptations to aquatic environmes and could lead to the developme of new materials and technologies inspired by nature. Also, this study shows that even in familiar species, many mysteries of nature still remain unknown. To see the latest news, refer to the scieific news page of Tekna Media.
