1
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Amer A, Spears S, Vaughn PL, Colwell C, Livingston EH, McQueen W, Schill A, Reichard DG, Gangloff EJ, Brock KM. Physiological phenotypes differ among color morphs in introduced common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis). Integr Zool 2024; 19:505-523. [PMID: 37884464 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Many species exhibit color polymorphisms which have distinct physiological and behavioral characteristics. However, the consistency of morph trait covariation patterns across species, time, and ecological contexts remains unclear. This trait covariation is especially relevant in the context of invasion biology and urban adaptation. Specifically, physiological traits pertaining to energy maintenance are crucial to fitness, given their immediate ties to individual reproduction, growth, and population establishment. We investigated the physiological traits of Podarcis muralis, a versatile color polymorphic species that thrives in urban environments (including invasive populations in Ohio, USA). We measured five physiological traits (plasma corticosterone and triglycerides, hematocrit, body condition, and field body temperature), which compose an integrated multivariate phenotype. We then tested variation among co-occurring color morphs in the context of establishment in an urban environment. We found that the traits describing physiological status and strategy shifted across the active season in a morph-dependent manner-the white and yellow morphs exhibited clearly different multivariate physiological phenotypes, characterized primarily by differences in plasma corticosterone. This suggests that morphs have different strategies in physiological regulation, the flexibility of which is crucial to urban adaptation. The white-yellow morph exhibited an intermediate phenotype, suggesting an intermediary energy maintenance strategy. Orange morphs also exhibited distinct phenotypes, but the low prevalence of this morph in our study populations precludes clear interpretation. Our work provides insight into how differences among stable polymorphisms exist across axes of the phenotype and how this variation may aid in establishment within novel environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Amer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Sierra Spears
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Princeton L Vaughn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cece Colwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Ethan H Livingston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Wyatt McQueen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Anna Schill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA
| | - Dustin G Reichard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Eric J Gangloff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Kinsey M Brock
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
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2
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Rossi N, Chiaraviglio M, Cardozo G. Behavioural plasticity in activity and sexual interactions in a social lizard at high environmental temperatures. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285656. [PMID: 37494328 PMCID: PMC10370740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection often shapes social behavioural activities, such as movement in the environment to find possible partners, performance of displays to signal dominance and courtship behaviours. Such activities may be negatively influenced by increasing temperatures, especially in ectotherms, because individuals either have to withstand the unfavourable condition or are forced to allocate more time to thermoregulation by increasing shelter seeking behaviour. Thus, they "miss" opportunities for social and reproductive interactions. Moreover, behavioural displays of ectotherms closely depend on temperature; consequently, mate choice behaviours may be disrupted, ultimately modifying sexual selection patterns. Therefore, it would be interesting to elucidate how increasing temperatures associated with global warming may influence activity and social interactions in the species' natural habitat and, specifically how high temperatures may modify intersexual interactions. Consequently, our aim was to explore differences in the daily pattern of social interactions in an ectotherm model, Tropidurus spinulosus, in two thermally different habitats and to determine how high temperatures modify mate choice. High environmental temperatures were found to be associated with a bimodal pattern in daily activity, which was closely linked to the daily variations in the thermal quality of the habitat; whereas the pattern and frequency of social displays showed less plasticity. The time allocated to mate choice generally decreased with increasing temperature since individuals increased the use of thermal refuges; this result supports the hypothesis of "missed opportunities". Moreover, at high temperatures, both sexes showed changes in mate selection dynamics, with females possibly "rushing" mate choice and males showing an increase in intermale variability of reproductive displays. In our ectotherm model, plastic adjustments in the behavioural activity pattern induced by high temperatures, plus the modification of the displays during courtship may ultimately modify mate choice patterns and sexual selection dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Rossi
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Margarita Chiaraviglio
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Cardozo
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, Argentina
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3
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Carreira Bruinjé A, de Alencar Paiva TM, Costa GC. Multimodal female mate choice in a polymorphic flat rock lizard. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03181-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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4
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Sreelatha LB, Carretero MA, Pérez I De Lanuza G, Klomp DA, Boratyński Z. Do colour morphs of wall lizards express different personalities? Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Colour morphs sometimes have different behavioural strategies which may be maintained by frequency or density dependence mechanisms. We investigated temporal changes in behavioural reaction to a novel environment among colour morphs (yellow, orange, white) of the European wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Adult males were given two 15 min experimental trials, and their locomotion was highly consistent between the two trials. Boldness, freezing and escape behaviour were less repeatable. Colour morphs differed in their locomotion and freezing behaviour. Boldness was similar among the morphs, whereas escape behaviour was lowest in yellow morph. Consequently, yellow morph males tended to explore novel environments quickly and thus were more likely to move to potentially safe areas. Orange and white males showed more fear when exposed to a novel environment. Whether such alternative behavioural strategies can contribute to the maintenance of variable fitness optima among the morphs and ultimately to the maintenance of polymorphism remains open to further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekshmi B Sreelatha
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Angel Carretero
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Guillem Pérez I De Lanuza
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, 46071 València, Spain
| | - Danielle A Klomp
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Zbyszek Boratyński
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, 4485–661 Vairão, Portugal
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5
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Coladonato AJ, Mangiacotti M, Scali S, Zuffi MAL, Pasquariello C, Matellini C, Buratti S, Battaiola M, Sacchi R. Morph-specific seasonal variation of aggressive behaviour in a polymorphic lizard species. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10268. [PMID: 33240621 PMCID: PMC7682419 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of colour polymorphism (CP) within a given population is generally associated with the coexistence of alternative reproductive strategies, each one involving specific trade-offs among behavioural, morphological, physiological, and other life histories. Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), is a medium-sized diurnal lizard, showing CP in three main colours (yellow, white, and red) on throat and belly, and a morph-specific pattern for both immunocompetence and seasonal variation of T levels. Yellow males show low stamina with high plasma T levels at the beginning of the season, while white males show high stamina with a higher plasma T levels at the end of the season. We hypothesised the presence of two strategies: a risky one, characterised by high aggressiveness played by yellow-morph, and a conservative one by white morph with low aggressiveness. Thus, we tested the aggressive response to conspecifics of yellow and white morphs using a mirror inserted into their cage, mimicking an intrusion of a stranger in their territories, throughout the breeding season (from April to July, 117 trials). We considered three types of aggressive response, with different levels of aggressiveness: (i) bite against the image reflected in the mirror, (ii) seconds spent by the individuals into the half mirrored cage, and (iii) number of times the lizard entered the half mirrored cage. We also considered the number of tongue flicking as explorative behaviour variable. All lizards were tested after a period of acclimatisation to the captivity conditions. Results demonstrate that yellow males showed a higher aggressive response in the early season and a decrease aggressive response towards the end, whereas white males showed an opposite pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Cristian Matellini
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Simone Buratti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mara Battaiola
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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6
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Brock KM, Baeckens S, Donihue CM, Martín J, Pafilis P, Edwards DL. Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10284. [PMID: 33194436 PMCID: PMC7649010 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Color polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as striking phenotypic variation is maintained within a single species. Color and other traits mediate social interactions, and stable polymorphism within a population is hypothesized to be related to correlational selection of other phenotypic traits among color morphs. Here, we report on a previously unknown throat color polymorphism in the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and examine morph-correlated differences in traits important to social behavior and communication: maximum bite force capacity and chemical signal profile. We find that both sexes of P. erhardii have three color morphs: orange, yellow, and white. Moreover, orange males are significantly larger and tend to bite harder than yellow and white males. Although the established color polymorphism only partially matches the observed intraspecific variation in chemical signal signatures, the chemical profile of the secretions of orange males is significantly divergent from that of white males. Our findings suggest that morph colors are related to differences in traits that are crucial for social interactions and competitive ability, illustrating the need to look beyond color when studying polymorphism evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsey M Brock
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America.,Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Colin M Donihue
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, Greece.,Zoological Museum, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Danielle L Edwards
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of America
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7
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Stuart‐Fox D, Aulsebrook A, Rankin KJ, Dong CM, McLean CA. Convergence and divergence in lizard colour polymorphisms. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 96:289-309. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Devi Stuart‐Fox
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Anne Aulsebrook
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Katrina J. Rankin
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Caroline M. Dong
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
- Sciences Department Museums Victoria 11 Nicholson Street Carlton Gardens VIC 3053 Australia
| | - Claire A. McLean
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
- Sciences Department Museums Victoria 11 Nicholson Street Carlton Gardens VIC 3053 Australia
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8
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Analyses of Skin Secretions of Vipera ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Serpentes), with Focus on the Complex Compounds and Their Possible Role in the Chemical Communication. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25163622. [PMID: 32784906 PMCID: PMC7465031 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakes rely heavily on chemical cues when foraging, searching for mates, etc. Snakes' sex attractiveness pheromones comprise mainly heavy, semi-volatile compounds such as ketones. Here we investigated the composition of skin secretions of adult Vipera ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) individuals. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the identification of the compounds was performed using commercial mass spectral libraries and retention times. The relative concentrations of all detected compounds were tested for significant differences between (1) male vs. female live individuals, (2) shed skin vs. live individuals, and (3) pre-reproductive vs. reproductive live individuals. We detected fifty-nine compounds of which six were ketones. Two ketones (2-pentacosanone and 2-heptacosanone) were present in many of the samples and thus may have an important role in the V. ammodytes chemical communication. We did not find significant differences between the relative concentrations of the compounds between male and female individuals (only three compounds are exceptions). Significant differences were found between extracts from shed skins and live individuals and between live pre-reproductive individuals and live reproductive individuals. The results of the study suggest that chemical communication in V. ammodytes involves less compounds in comparison to the known literature data for other species.
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9
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Response behaviour of native lizards and invading wall lizard to interspecific scent: implications for invasion success. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Pellitteri-Rosa D, Gazzola A, Todisco S, Mastropasqua F, Liuzzi C. Lizard colour plasticity tracks background seasonal changes. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio052415. [PMID: 32414767 PMCID: PMC7286296 DOI: 10.1242/bio.052415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental heterogeneity on a spatial and temporal scale fosters an organism's capacity to plastically alter coloration. Predation risk might favour the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in colour patterns, as individuals who change colour throughout the year may be able to improve their fitness. Here we explored the change in dorsal pigmentation of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) at three time points (March, July, October) during a period of activity in a Mediterranean natural area in southern Italy. Following a preliminary investigation conducted in 2018, during 2019 we captured 135 lizards and took a picture of their ventral scales to check for possible recapture over the sessions. Lizard dorsal pictures were collected in the field with the support of a reference chart to quantitatively estimate chromatic variables (hue, saturation and value). At the same time, pictures of the environmental background were collected. Our findings suggest that lizards are capable of altering dorsal coloration during seasonal change. They vary from green at the onset of spring, to brownish in the middle of summer and to a greyish colour in October. This modification closely followed environmental background colour variation and enhanced lizard crypsis during each season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Laboratorio di Zoologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Andrea Gazzola
- Laboratorio di Zoologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Simone Todisco
- Societas Herpetologica Italica, Sezione Puglia, Bitritto, BA 70020, Italy
| | - Fabio Mastropasqua
- Societas Herpetologica Italica, Sezione Puglia, Bitritto, BA 70020, Italy
| | - Cristiano Liuzzi
- Societas Herpetologica Italica, Sezione Puglia, Bitritto, BA 70020, Italy
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11
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Bruinjé AC, Coelho FEA, Maggi BS, Costa GC. Chemical signalling behaviour in intrasexual communication of lizards lacking femoral pores. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andre C. Bruinjé
- Departamento de Fisiologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Felipe E. A. Coelho
- Post-Graduate Program in Ecology, Bioscience Institute Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal Brazil
| | - Bruno S. Maggi
- Post-Graduate Program in Ecology, Bioscience Institute Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal Brazil
| | - Gabriel C. Costa
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery AL USA
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12
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Mangiacotti M, Pezzi S, Fumagalli M, Coladonato AJ, d'Ettorre P, Leroy C, Bonnet X, Zuffi MAL, Scali S, Sacchi R. Seasonal Variations in Femoral Gland Secretions Reveals some Unexpected Correlations Between Protein and Lipid Components in a Lacertid Lizard. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:673-683. [PMID: 31407198 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01092-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Animals modulate intraspecific signal shape and intensity, notably during reproductive periods. Signal variability typically follows a seasonal scheme, traceable through the expression of visual, acoustic, chemical and behavioral patterns. The chemical channel is particularly important in lizards, as demonstrated by well-developed epidermal glands in the cloacal region that secrete lipids and proteins recognized by conspecifics. In males, the seasonal pattern of gland activity is underpinned by variation of circulating androgens. Changes in the composition of lipid secretions convey information about the signaler's quality (e.g., size, immunity). Presumably, individual identity is associated with a protein signature present in the femoral secretions, but this has been poorly investigated. For the first time, we assessed the seasonal variability of the protein signal in relation to plasma testosterone level (T), glandular activity and the concentration of provitamin D3 in the lipid fraction. We sampled 174 male common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) over the entire activity season. An elevation of T was observed one to two months before the secretion peak of lipids during the mating season; such expected delay between hormonal fluctuation and maximal physiological response fits well with the assumption that provitamin D3 indicates individual quality. One-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of proteins showed that gel bands were preserved over the season with an invariant region; a result in agreement with the hypothesis that proteins are stable identity signals. However, the relative intensity of bands varied markedly, synchronously with that of lipid secretion pattern. These variations of protein secretion suggest additional roles of proteins, an issue that requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stefano Pezzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "L. Spallanzani", Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alan Jioele Coladonato
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- LEEC Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Chloé Leroy
- LEEC Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372 - Université de La Rochelle, 405 Route de La Canauderie, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Marco A L Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011, Calci, PI, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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13
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Mangiacotti M, Fumagalli M, Cagnone M, Viglio S, Bardoni AM, Scali S, Sacchi R. Morph-specific protein patterns in the femoral gland secretions of a colour polymorphic lizard. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8412. [PMID: 31182789 PMCID: PMC6557888 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colour polymorphism occurs when two or more genetically-based colour morphs permanently coexist within an interbreeding population. Colouration is usually associated to other life-history traits (ecological, physiological, behavioural, reproductive …) of the bearer, thus being the phenotypic marker of such set of genetic features. This visual badge may be used to inform conspecifics and to drive those decision making processes which may contribute maintaining colour polymorphism under sexual selection context. The importance of such information suggests that other communication modalities should be recruited to ensure its transfer in case visual cues were insufficient. Here, for the first time, we investigated the potential role of proteins from femoral gland secretions in signalling colour morph in a polymorphic lizard. As proteins are thought to convey identity-related information, they represent the ideal cues to build up the chemical modality used to badge colour morphs. We found strong evidence for the occurrence of morph-specific protein profiles in the three main colour-morphs of the common wall lizard, which showed both qualitative and quantitative differences in protein expression. As lizards are able to detect proteins by tongue-flicking and vomeronasal organ, this result support the hypothesis that colour polymorphic lizards may use a multimodal signal to inform about colour-morph.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "L.Spallanzani", Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maddalena Cagnone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Simona Viglio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Bardoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, 20121, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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14
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Pérez i de Lanuza G, Bellati A, Pellitteri‐Rosa D, Font E, Carretero MA. Colour variation between different lineages of a colour polymorphic lizard. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Pérez i de Lanuza
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Vila do Conde Portugal
| | - A. Bellati
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Pavia Pavia Italy
| | - D. Pellitteri‐Rosa
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Pavia Pavia Italy
| | - E. Font
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology University of Valencia València Spain
| | - M. A. Carretero
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Vila do Conde Portugal
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15
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First experimental evidence that proteins from femoral glands convey identity-related information in a lizard. Acta Ethol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-018-00307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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16
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Brown DM, Lattanzio MS. Resource variability and the collapse of a dominance hierarchy in a colour polymorphic species. BEHAVIOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Intraspecific social dominance hierarchies should be influenced by environmental variation; however, in colour polymorphic species, dominance hierarchies are often assumed fixed, and thus insensitive to environmental variability. We ran a series of experiments using the colour polymorphic long-tailed brush lizard (Urosaurus graciosus) to challenge this assumption. We staged contests between orange and yellow morph males over a single heated perch, two perches at the same temperature, or two perches differing in temperature. Our first experiment revealed that orange-throated males are socially dominant. However, this hierarchy collapsed in our other experiments as yellow males became more aggressive. Interestingly, both males only ever secured their own perch where the perches differed in temperature. These findings mirror observations of morph behavioural flexibility in nature and studies of behaviour–environment interactions in non-polymorphic taxa. We conclude that colour morphs may have an underappreciated ability to assess resource-level changes and respond with concomitant flexibility in behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawson M. Brown
- Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
| | - Matthew S. Lattanzio
- Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
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17
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García-Roa R, Megía-Palma R, Ortega J, Jara M, López P, Martín J. Interpopulational and seasonal variation in the chemical signals of the lizard Gallotia galloti. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3992. [PMID: 29230352 PMCID: PMC5721911 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Communicative traits are strikingly diverse and may vary among populations of the same species. Within a population, these traits may also display seasonal variation. Chemical signals play a key role in the communication of many taxa. However, we still know far too little about chemical communication in some vertebrate groups. In lizards, only a few studies have examined interpopulational variation in the composition of chemical cues and signals and only one study has explored the seasonal effects. Here we sampled three subspecies of the Tenerife lizards (Gallotia galloti) and analyze the lipophilic fraction of their femoral gland secretions to characterize the potential interpopulational variation in the chemical signals. In addition, we assessed whether composition of these secretions differed between the reproductive and the non-reproductive season. We analyzed variations in both the overall chemical profile and the abundance of the two main compounds (cholesterol and vitamin E). Our results show interpopulational and seasonal differences in G. gallotia chemical profiles. These findings are in accordance with the high interpopulational variability of compounds observed in lizard chemical signals and show that their composition is not only shaped by selective factors linked to reproductive season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto García-Roa
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Megía-Palma
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ortega
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Jara
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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18
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Jaworski KE, Lattanzio MS. Physiological Consequences of Food Limitation for a Color Polymorphic Lizard: Are Coping Responses Morph-Specific? COPEIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1643/cp-17-597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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MacGregor HEA, Lewandowsky RAM, d'Ettorre P, Leroy C, Davies NW, While GM, Uller T. Chemical communication, sexual selection, and introgression in wall lizards. Evolution 2017; 71:2327-2343. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. A. MacGregor
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS United Kingdom
| | - Rachel A. M. Lewandowsky
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology; University of Paris 13; Sorbonne Paris Cité 93430 Villetaneuse Paris France
| | - Chloé Leroy
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology; University of Paris 13; Sorbonne Paris Cité 93430 Villetaneuse Paris France
| | - Noel W. Davies
- Central Science Laboratory; University of Tasmania; Hobart, Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - Geoffrey M. While
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Uller
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3PS United Kingdom
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Sölvegatan 37 223 62 Lund Sweden
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20
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Sacchi R, Coladonato AJ, Ghitti M, Mangiacotti M, Scali S, Bovo M, Zuffi M. Morph-specific assortative mating in common wall lizard females. Curr Zool 2017; 64:449-453. [PMID: 30108625 PMCID: PMC6084619 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zox055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Color polymorphism often is associated with alternative reproductive strategies and may reflect different adaptive optima that coexist within populations. The equilibrium among morph frequencies is maintained by the occurrence of opposite selective pressures (disruptive vs. stabilizing), which promote polymorphism while preserving gene flow. Sexual selection may contribute on both sides, particularly when morphs do not mate randomly. Reptiles offer a good model, notably lizards. Nevertheless, previous studies on mate choice in polymorphic lizards have generated contrasting results, with some studies suggesting that female morphs might tune their preference depending on environmental/social conditions such as crowding. We experimentally manipulated the number of individuals a female common wall lizard Podarcis muralis perceives around her, to test if females of different morphs (white or yellow) tune their choice for white and yellow males in order to maximize the probability that hatchlings follow the strategy best adapted to the population density. Results showed that crowding experienced by females did not affect mate choice, arguing against a flexible choice strategy by females. However, white females significantly associated with white males, whereas yellow females did not significantly associate with yellow males. Thus, sexual selection could contribute to the maintenance of color polymorphism in this species by a mix of assortative and non-assortative mating strategies, which could maintain the equilibrium between gene divergence and gene flow among morphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alan Jioele Coladonato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michele Ghitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, Italy.,Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Bovo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 79, Calci, Italy
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21
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García-Roa R, Sáiz J, Gómara B, López P, Martín J. Dietary constraints can preclude the expression of an honest chemical sexual signal. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6073. [PMID: 28729717 PMCID: PMC5519758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the factors that underlie signal divergences remains challenging in studies of animal communication. Regarding the chemical signalling, different compounds can be found in some species but be absent in others. We hypothesized that if the costs that are associated with the expression of some compounds are too high, their presence in the signal may be restricted. However, these compounds may be expressed and be functional when those costs are relaxed. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol), a dietary compound with metabolic relevancy, acts as an honest chemical sexual signal in many lizards but no in others such as the Carpetan Rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni). We investigated whether dietary supplementation favours the expression of this vitamin in scents of I. cyreni. We show that dietary constraints can preclude the expression of vitamin E in chemical secretions of wild males because was expressed when it was experimentally provided in the diet. Vitamin E supplementation also heightened the immune response of males and increased the interest of their scent for females, highlighting the vitamin E as a chemical sexual signal in this species. We suggest that diet could decisively act as a driver of intra- and interspecific divergences in the chemical signalling of lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto García-Roa
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish Research Council (MNCN- CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jorge Sáiz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Spanish Research Council (IQOG- CSIC), Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Gómara
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Spanish Research Council (IQOG- CSIC), Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish Research Council (MNCN- CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish Research Council (MNCN- CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Effects of Colour Morph and Temperature on Immunity in Males and Females of the Common Wall Lizard. Evol Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-017-9422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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23
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Pellitteri-Rosa D, Bellati A, Cocca W, Gazzola A, Martín J, Fasola M. Urbanization affects refuge use and habituation to predators in a polymorphic lizard. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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24
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Sacchi R, Scali S, Mangiacotti M, Sannolo M, Zuffi MAL, Pupin F, Gentilli A, Bonnet X. Seasonal variations of plasma testosterone among colour-morph common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 240:114-120. [PMID: 27667154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sexual steroids influence reproductive behaviours and promote secondary sexual traits. In male lizards, increasing levels of testosterone (T) bolster conspicuous colouration, stimulate territoriality, and trigger antagonistic interactions among rivals. Moreover, in colour polymorphic species, reproductive strategy, aggressiveness and T levels can differ between morphs. Therefore, T level is considered as an important mechanism that regulates the expression of colour polymorphism and sexual behaviours of males. But in the polymorphic territorial wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), a lack of relationship between morphs and aggressiveness challenges the notion that T plays such a role. To examine this issue, we compared adult T levels among three colour morphs (white, yellow and red) through repeated sampling during the mating season. High T levels were observed at the onset of the mating season followed by a significant decrease, a pattern documented in other lizard species. Mean T levels did not differ among morphs. However, yellow males maintained significantly higher T levels over time and displayed a stronger subsequent decline. Overall, in this species, seasonal T patterns differ among morphs, not mean values. Previous studies revealed that T suppresses the immune response; suggesting that a strong initial investment promoted by high T levels may trade-off against immunity (maintenance). Further experimental investigations are required to clarify the relationship between T and reproductive effort in polymorphic species that exhibit complex temporal pattern of T levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, I-20121 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, I-20121 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Sannolo
- CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Marco A L Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, I-56011, Calci (PI), Italy
| | - Fabio Pupin
- MUSE, Museo delle Scienze di Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, I-38100 Trento, Italy
| | - Augusto Gentilli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- CNRS, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, F-79360 Villiers en Bois, France.
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25
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Mangiacotti M, Fumagalli M, Scali S, Zuffi MAL, Cagnone M, Salvini R, Sacchi R. Inter- and intra-population variability of the protein content of femoral gland secretions from a lacertid lizard. Curr Zool 2016; 63:657-665. [PMID: 29492027 PMCID: PMC5804213 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Femoral glands of male lizards produce waxy secretions that are involved in inter- and intraspecific chemical communication. The main components of these secretions are proteins and lipids, the latter having been extensively studied and already associated to male quality. On the opposite, the composition and role of proteins are nearly unknown, the only available information coming from few studies on iguanids. These studies got the conclusion that proteins might have a communicative function, notably they could signal individual identity. A generalization of these findings requires the extension of protein analysis to other lizard families, and the primary detection of some patterns of individual variability. Using the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis as a model species, the protein fraction of the femoral pore secretions was investigated to provide the first characterization of this component in a lacertid lizard and to explore its source of variability, as a first step to support the hypothesized communicative role. Samples of proteins from femoral secretions were collected from 6 Italian populations and subjected to 1-dimensional electrophoresis. The binary vector of the band presence/absence was used to define the individual profiles. Protein fraction is found to have a structured pattern, with both an individual and a population component. Although the former supports the potential communicative role of proteins, the latter offers a double interpretation, phylogenetic or environmental, even though the phylogenetic effect seems more likely given the climatic resemblance of the considered sites. Further studies are necessary to shed light on both these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy.,Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milano I-20121, Italy
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", Biochemistry Unit, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3, Pavia I-27100, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, Milano I-20121, Italy
| | - Marco A L Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci, Pisa I-56011, Italy
| | - Maddalena Cagnone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry Unit, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3, Pavia I-27100, Italy
| | - Roberta Salvini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry Unit, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3, Pavia I-27100, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy
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26
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Pérez i de Lanuza G, Font E, Carretero MÁ. Colour assortative pairing in a colour polymorphic lizard is independent of population morph diversity. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 103:82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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27
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Sacchi R, Ghitti M, Scali S, Mangiacotti M, Zuffi MA, Sannolo M, Coladonato AJ, Pasquesi G, Bovo M, Pellitteri-Rosa D. Common Wall Lizard Females (Podarcis muralis) do not Actively Choose Males Based on their Colour Morph. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - Michele Ghitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Milano Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Sannolo
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - Alan J. Coladonato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | | | - Matteo Bovo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; Pavia Italy
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28
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Scali S, Sacchi R, Mangiacotti M, Pupin F, Gentilli A, Zucchi C, Sannolo M, Pavesi M, Zuffi MAL. Does a polymorphic species have a ‘polymorphic’ diet? A case study from a lacertid lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Scali
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Corso Venezia 55 I-20121 Milano Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; via Taramelli 24 I-27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Corso Venezia 55 I-20121 Milano Italy
| | - Fabio Pupin
- MUSE - Museo delle Scienze di Trento; Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 I-38123 Trento Italy
| | - Augusto Gentilli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università degli Studi di Pavia; via Taramelli 24 I-27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Carlo Zucchi
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Corso Venezia 55 I-20121 Milano Italy
| | - Marco Sannolo
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Corso Venezia 55 I-20121 Milano Italy
| | - Maurizio Pavesi
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano; Corso Venezia 55 I-20121 Milano Italy
| | - Marco A. L. Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale; Università di Pisa; via Roma 79 I-56011 Calci Italy
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29
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Pérez i de Lanuza G, Font E. Differences in conspicuousness between alternative color morphs in a polychromatic lizard. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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30
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Martin M, Meylan S, Perret S, Le Galliard JF. UV coloration influences spatial dominance but not agonistic behaviors in male wall lizards. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1960-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Martín J, López P. Condition-dependent chemosignals in reproductive behavior of lizards. Horm Behav 2015; 68:14-24. [PMID: 24952102 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction". Many lizards have diverse glands that produce chemosignals used in intraspecific communication and that can have reproductive consequences. For example, information in chemosignals of male lizards can be used in intrasexual competition to identify and assess the fighting potential or dominance status of rival males either indirectly through territorial scent-marks or during agonistic encounters. Moreover, females of several lizard species "prefer" to establish or spend more time on areas scent-marked by males with compounds signaling a better health or body condition or a higher genetic compatibility, which can have consequences for their mating success and inter-sexual selection processes. We review here recent studies that suggest that the information content of chemosignals of lizards may be reliable because several physiological and endocrine processes would regulate the proportions of chemical compounds available for gland secretions. Because chemosignals are produced by the organism or come from the diet, they should reflect physiological changes, such as different hormonal levels (e.g. testosterone or corticosterone) or different health states (e.g. parasitic infections, immune response), and reflect the quality of the diet of an individual. More importantly, some compounds that may function as chemosignals also have other important functions in the organism (e.g. as antioxidants or regulating the immune system), so there could be trade-offs between allocating these compounds to attending physiological needs or to produce costly sexual "chemical ornaments". All these factors may contribute to maintain chemosignals as condition-dependent sexual signals, which can inform conspecifics on the characteristics and state of the sender and allow making behavioral decisions with reproductive consequences. To understand the evolution of chemical secretions of lizards as sexual signals and their relevance in reproduction, future studies should examine what information the signals are carrying, the physiological processes that can maintain the reliability of the message and how diverse behavioral responses to chemosignals may influence reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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32
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Mayerl C, Baeckens S, Van Damme R. Evolution and role of the follicular epidermal gland system in non-ophidian squamates. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00002995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many lizard and amphisbaenian lineages possess follicular glands in the dermis of the inner thighs and/or the area anterior to the cloaca. These tubular glands produce a holocrine secretion that finds its way to the external world through pore-bearing scales (femoral and/or preanal pores). Secretions are composed of proteins and many lipophilic compounds that may function as chemosignals in lizard and amphisbaenian communication. In recent years, we have begun to develop an understanding of the adaptive significance of these secretions, and they are currently thought to play an important role in a variety of processes in these animals. While it appears that epidermal gland secretions function in intra- and interspecific recognition and territoriality, research has focused largely on their role in mate assessment. Despite these recent studies, our knowledge on the true role of the chemicals found in epidermal secretions remains poorly studied, and there are many possible avenues for future research on this topic. Here, we review the literature on the follicular epidermal glands of non-ophidian squamates and provide a first taxon-wide overview of their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayerl
- Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson SC, 29634, USA
| | - Simon Baeckens
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1 – C, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1 – C, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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33
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Preference for male traits differ in two female morphs of the tree lizard, Urosaurus ornatus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101515. [PMID: 25033282 PMCID: PMC4102484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-random female mating preferences may contribute to the maintenance of phenotypic variation in color polymorphic species. However, the effect of female preference depends on the types of male traits used as signals by receptive females. If preference signals derive from discrete male traits (i.e., morph-specific), female preferences may rapidly fix to a morph. However, female preference signals may also include condition-dependent male traits. In this scenario, female preference may differ depending on the social context (i.e., male morph availability). Male tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) exhibit a dewlap color polymorphism that covaries with mating behavior. Blue morph males are aggressive and defend territories, yellow males are less aggressive and defend smaller territories, and orange males are typically nomadic. Female U. ornatus are also polymorphic in dewlap color, but the covariation between dewlap color and female behavior is unknown. We performed an experiment to determine how female mate choice depends on the visual and chemical signals produced by males. We also tested whether female morphs differ in their preferences for these signals. Female preferences involved both male dewlap color and size of the ventral color patch. However, the female morphs responded to these signals differently and depended on the choice between the types of male morphs. Our experiment revealed that females may be capable of distinguishing among the male morphs using chemical signals alone. Yellow females exhibit preferences based on both chemical and visual signals, which may be a strategy to avoid ultra-dominant males. In contrast, orange females may prefer dominant males. We conclude that female U. ornatus morphs differ in mating behavior. Our findings also provide evidence for a chemical polymorphism among male lizards in femoral pore secretions.
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