Lateralization in the predatory behaviour of the lizard _Podarcis muralis_

Ectotherms have been demonstrated being lateralized as well as endotherms. This specialization is particularly evident in some species in a bias using the eyes, having a preference in using an eye to observe specific kinds of stimuli, processing them with the controlateral hemisphere. Several ectotherms are favorite in this from having a lateral position of the eyes, making them able to carry out more tasks simultaneously, controlled by different eyes and hemispheres. Predatory responses seem mediated by the right-eye/left-hemisphere. As there are no strong evidences of this in lizards, we analysed if males of Podarcis muralis in a laboratory predatory context are lateralized when looking at prey and if this task is right-eye/left-hemisphere mediated. Using a T-maze, we recorded what direction they chose to reach a familiar prey observed at the left or at the right side of the longitudinal body axis. With concern to this lizards were lateralized (P < 0.05). The preferential direction to reach the prey is the right for the majority (4 of 5) of lizards having a preference, indicating even a tendency (P < 0.07) of laterality at population level. In addition, lizards maintained the head longer to the same direction they later chose to catch the prey (P < 0.001). Our study demonstrates how males of Podarcis muralis are visually lateralized to capture prey. This is another support to the hypothesis of the common ancestral derivation of vertebrate lateralization.