Pseudocopulation in asexual whiptail lizards

Mechanism

As could be expected the pseudocopulation behavior is regulated by an array of brain chemistries. One of the main regulators appears to be neuronal nitric oxide synthase and its effects on progesterone progesterone receptors having in turn been linked to the behavior. It has been suggested that this site could be a target for the evolution of the behavior in females. It has also been shown that inhibiting its function suppresses the pseudocopulatory behavior. Furthermore, it has been shown that upping testosterone ups expression of nitric oxide synthase.