10.6084/m9.figshare.7028090.v2
Andre C. Bruinjé
Andre C.
Bruinjé
Mauricio O. Moura
Mauricio O.
Moura
Bruno S. Maggi
Bruno S.
Maggi
Vinicius A. São-Pedro
Vinicius A.
São-Pedro
Daniel M. A. Pessoa
Daniel M. A.
Pessoa
Gabriel C. Costa
Gabriel
C. Costa
Conspecifics of the Striped Lava Lizard are able to distinguish sex and male colour morphs in apparently homogeneous dull dorsal colouration: Supplementary material
Brill Online
2018
alternative reproductive tactics
animal colouration
dichromatism
male morphs
Tropidurus semitaeniatus
visual modelling
Ecology not elsewhere classified
2018-09-17 08:21:03
Journal contribution
https://brill.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Conspecifics_of_the_Striped_Lava_Lizard_are_able_to_distinguish_sex_and_male_colour_morphs_in_apparently_homogeneous_dull_dorsal_colouration_Supplementary_material/7028090
Animal colouration plays a key role in inter and intraspecific
interactions, pre-eminently in mate signalling. When multiple types of
colouration occur within sexes it is possible that they show alternative
reproductive strategies. In lizards, most colouration studies do not incorporate
how colour is perceived by conspecifics. Here, we used unbiased colour analysis
methods (spectrophotometry and visual modelling) to test for sexual dimorphism
and within male dichromatism in the Striped Lava Lizard. We found that males
express two distinct colourations that are different from females in several
dorsal and ventral body regions. Our results showed UV reflection at the
throat, an important body region for signalling. Ventral patches, the coloured
badge seen in adult males of <i>Tropidurus</i>
spp, have two distinct colour classes within males (Y and B males). Morphs are
best discriminated by blue and yellow chroma, and brightness. Body size had
little influence on colouration, suggesting that colour may be linked to
inheritance rather than growth. Our study clearly shows sexual dichromatism and
the existence of colour morphs in this species. Moreover, morph differences in
colouration are perceptible by conspecifics. These differences are not only
between ventral patches, but also in other body parts such as the dorsum,
previously considered as cryptic by human observers. We suggest that
colouration at the ventral patches and throat might play a role in
intraspecific interactions. Patches increase colour intensity during breeding
season and are likely to be costly by pigment-based expression, whereas
throat’s UV reflection might have a cost infringed by conspicuousness.