Journal
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
Volume 47, Issue 2, Pages 211-220Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/icb/icm043
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Males of a Croatian population of the lacertid lizard Podarcis melisellensis exhibit a striking polymorphism, with coloration of the throat and abdomen ranging from completely white, to yellow or orange. In a first attempt to explore the potential ecological and evolutionary significance of this polymorphism, we compared the three forms of males in aspects of their morphology, whole-animal performance, behavior, and ecology. Orange males are, on average, larger in snout-vent length and have disproportionately larger heads than either white or yellow males. This is reflected in orange males having higher bite force capacity and theoretically an increased access to harder prey. Residual limb length, maximal sprint speed and maximal exertion do not differ among color morphs. Body temperatures in the field are similar in the three morphs, but yellow males are caught at sites with slightly higher air temperatures than are orange and white males. Behavioral observations show no differences in time budgets or in the timing of activities among morphs. Microhabitat use is also similar in the three color morphs, but orange males were more often initially seen on rocky substrates. Our findings suggest that the observed polymorphism likely does not originate from a divergence in niche or use of resources, but possibly reflects an underlying polymorphism in mating tactics.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available