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Glenszczyk M, Outomuro D, Gregorič M, Kralj-Fišer S, Schneider JM, Nilsson DE, Morehouse NI, Tedore C. The jumping spider Saitis barbipes lacks a red photoreceptor to see its own sexually dimorphic red coloration. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2021; 109:6. [PMID: 34894274 PMCID: PMC8665921 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Examining the role of color in mate choice without testing what colors the study animal is capable of seeing can lead to ill-posed hypotheses and erroneous conclusions. Here, we test the seemingly reasonable assumption that the sexually dimorphic red coloration of the male jumping spider Saitis barbipes is distinguishable, by females, from adjacent black color patches. Using microspectrophotometry, we find clear evidence for photoreceptor classes with maximal sensitivity in the UV (359 nm) and green (526 nm), inconclusive evidence for a photoreceptor maximally sensitive in the blue (451 nm), and no evidence for a red photoreceptor. No colored filters within the lens or retina could be found to shift green sensitivity to red. To quantify and visualize whether females may nevertheless be capable of discriminating red from black color patches, we take multispectral images of males and calculate photoreceptor excitations and color contrasts between color patches. Red patches would be, at best, barely discriminable from black, and not discriminable from a low-luminance green. Some color patches that appear achromatic to human eyes, such as beige and white, strongly absorb UV wavelengths and would appear as brighter "spider-greens" to S. barbipes than the red color patches. Unexpectedly, we discover an iridescent UV patch that contrasts strongly with the UV-absorbing surfaces dominating the rest of the spider. We propose that red and black coloration may serve identical purposes in sexual signaling, functioning to generate strong achromatic contrast with the visual background. The potential functional significance of red coloration outside of sexual signaling is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Glenszczyk
- Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - David Outomuro
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matjaž Gregorič
- Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Novi trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kralj-Fišer
- Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Novi trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jutta M Schneider
- Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dan-Eric Nilsson
- Lund Vision Group, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nathan I Morehouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Cynthia Tedore
- Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
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Ziegelbecker A, Remele K, Pfeifhofer HW, Sefc KM. Wasteful carotenoid coloration and its effects on territorial behavior in a cichlid fish. HYDROBIOLOGIA 2020; 848:3683-3698. [PMID: 34720169 PMCID: PMC8549929 DOI: 10.1007/s10750-020-04354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The famously diverse body coloration of cichlid fish serves communicative functions in mating and social interactions including competition for resources. Here, we examined the effects of a color pattern trait-the width of a yellow bar on a black body-on territorial competition in males and females of a color variant ("Ikola") of the Lake Tanganyika cichlid Tropheus. First, measuring integumentary carotenoid concentrations in the yellow and black body regions, we established that wider yellow bars require more carotenoids allocated to body coloration. However, we also detected high carotenoid concentrations in the black body regions (> 100 µg/g fresh skin), raising questions about the function of non-displayed integumentary carotenoids. Behavioral experiments showed that fish with wider bars were quicker to explore an unfamiliar area of the tank. In experiments including presentations of fish dummies, the bar width of 'territorial' dummies had no effect on the latency time which test fish took to intrude into the dummies' territories. However, male test fish performed fewer aggressive acts against wide-barred than against narrow-barred dummy competitors. Our results suggest that intimidation by wide bars as well as correlations between bar width and explorative behavior may contribute to mediating success in territorial Tropheus "Ikola".
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Klaus Remele
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 51, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | | | - Kristina M. Sefc
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
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4
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Piza-Roca C, Schoeman D, Frere C. Fitness benefits of male dominance behaviours depend on the degree of individual inbreeding in a polyandrous lizard. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200097. [PMID: 32429806 PMCID: PMC7287366 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In polyandrous species, sexual selection extends beyond mating competition to selection for egg fertilization. As a result, the degree to which factors influencing mating success impact overall reproductive success becomes variable. Here, we used a longitudinal behavioural and genetic dataset for a population of eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) to investigate the degree to which male dominance, a pre-mating selection trait, influences overall reproductive success, measured as the number of surviving offspring. Moreover, we examine the interactive effects with a genetic trait, individual inbreeding, known to influence the reproductive success of males in this species. We found fitness benefits of male dominance, measured as body size and frequency of dominance behaviours displayed. However, individuals' propensity to display dominance behaviours had mixed effects, depending on the degree of inbreeding. While inbred males benefited from frequent displays, highly outbred males exhibited better reproductive outputs when displaying to a lesser extent. Given that outbred males have enhanced reproductive success in this species, the costs of displaying dominance behaviours may outweigh the benefits. Overall, our results demonstrate the fitness benefits of dominance in a polyandrous lizard, and suggest that these are modulated by an independent genetic trait. Our results may contribute to explaining the presence of alternative mating tactics in this species, owing to the variability in net fitness benefits of dominance. Our findings also reveal the challenges associated with investigating fitness traits in isolation, which may undermine the validity of results when important interactions are ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Piza-Roca
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Schoeman
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Celine Frere
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Baird TA, Baird TD, Shine R. War and peace: plasticity of aggression and the social context of displays in male Australian Water Dragons. Evol Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-019-10018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Rossi N, Benitez-Vieyra S, Cocucci A, Chiaraviglio M, Cardozo G. Sexual dichromatism and color diversity in the spiny lava lizard Tropidurus spinulosus using lizard visual modelling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14270. [PMID: 31582783 PMCID: PMC6776660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50712-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Colors are important vehicles for social signals in many taxa. In Squamata, previous studies have linked color characteristics and chromatic diversity to sexual selection and, particularly, species showing male-biased body size dimorphism also showed male-biased dichromatism and color diversity. Sexual dichromatism may occur in body regions used for conspecific communication and it may be expressed at wavelengths, such as ultraviolet, easily perceivable by conspecifics. We tested this prediction in a social lizard model, Tropidurus spinulosus, using spectrophotometry and visual modelling which enable colors to be interpreted as the individuals of the same taxon see them. Our results indicate that sexual dichromatism occurs in the ventral regions and the flanks, which are the body regions involved in sexual displays. Males show greater color diversity, having larger color volumes and more contrasting colors. These findings reinforce the idea that sexual selection towards males is coupled with the evolution of male-biased, diverse, coloration which could act as a signal in social reproductive contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- N 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.
| | - S Benitez-Vieyra
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva y Biología Floral, IMBIV-CONICET, FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - A Cocucci
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva y Biología Floral, IMBIV-CONICET, FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M 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
| | - G 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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Kent N, Cristescu RH, Piza-Roca C, Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Strickland K, Frère CH. Maternal nesting behaviour in city dragons: a species with temperature-dependent sex determination. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Kent
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Romane H Cristescu
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carme Piza-Roca
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Kasha Strickland
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Céline H Frère
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Littleford‐Colquhoun BL, Clemente C, Thompson G, Cristescu RH, Peterson N, Strickland K, Stuart‐Fox D, Frere CH. How sexual and natural selection shape sexual size dimorphism: Evidence from multiple evolutionary scales. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christofer Clemente
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Graham Thompson
- Terrestrial Ecosystems Mount Claremont Western Australia Australia
| | - Romane H. Cristescu
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Nicola Peterson
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Kasha Strickland
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Devi Stuart‐Fox
- School of Biosciences The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Celine H. Frere
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
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Eastern water dragons modify their social tactics with respect to the location within their home range. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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10
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Merkling T, Chandrasoma D, Rankin KJ, Whiting MJ. Seeing red: pteridine-based colour and male quality in a dragon lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Merkling
- Division of Ecology, Evolution & Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Dani Chandrasoma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katrina J Rankin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Martin J Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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11
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Bohórquez-Alonso ML, Mesa-Avila G, Suárez-Rancel M, Font E, Molina-Borja M. Predictors of contest outcome in males of two subspecies of Gallotia galloti (Squamata: Lacertidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Zhou M, Fuller RC. Intrasexual competition underlies sexual selection on male breeding coloration in the orangethroat darter, Etheostoma spectabile. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:3513-3522. [PMID: 27127609 PMCID: PMC4842022 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Elaborate, sexually dimorphic traits are widely thought to evolve under sexual selection through female preference, male–male competition, or both. The orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) is a sexually dichromatic fish in which females exhibit no preferences for male size or coloration. We tested whether these traits affect individual reproductive success in E. spectabile when multiple males are allowed to freely compete for a female. The quality and quantity of male coloration were associated with greater success in maintaining access to the female and in spawning as the primary male (first male to participate). On the other hand, sneaking behavior showed little correlation with coloration. Male breeding coloration in E. spectabile may therefore demonstrate how intrasexual competition can be a predominant factor underlying the evolution of male ornaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muchu Zhou
- Department of Animal Biology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign Illinois 61820
| | - Rebecca C Fuller
- Department of Animal Biology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign Illinois 61820
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Suchomelová P, Jančúchová-Lásková J, Landová E, Frynta D. Experimental assessment of social interactions in two species of the genus Teratoscincus (Gekkota). Behav Processes 2015; 120:14-24. [PMID: 26299547 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Social organization of many reptile species that are rare in the wild remains rather unexplored due to difficulties when setting experiments in the field. Behavioral analysis of standard social situations in laboratory conditions is considered an indirect method to reveal social behavior in the field. We studied two rare species of geckos, Teratoscincus scincus and Teratoscincus keyserlingii, inhabiting sand dunes of Uzbekistan and Eastern Iran. A series of experiments was carried out to quantify responses in social interactions among conspecific adults as well as reactions of these towards conspecific/heterospecific subadults and juveniles. We also assessed the effect of species and sex on recorded behavior. Finally, the reaction to threat stimuli simulating predator attack was analyzed. The species effect was recorded only in the response to a simulated predatory attack: T. scincus typically escaped whereas larger T. keyserlingii attacked the stimulus. In accordance with the sexual competition hypothesis, agonistic interactions were nearly exclusively confined to male-male encounters while females were tolerant to each other. Male-female encounters regularly resulted in mating attempts, which suggests that females are not strongly selective in choosing partners. Therefore, male aggression can be linked to mate guarding or territoriality. Adults' lack of interest in immature geckos may indicate generalized tolerance of adults towards young.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Suchomelová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jitka Jančúchová-Lásková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ord TJ, Klomp DA, Garcia-Porta J, Hagman M. Repeated evolution of exaggerated dewlaps and other throat morphology in lizards. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:1948-64. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. J. Ord
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; The University of New South Wales; Kensington NSW Australia
| | - D. A. Klomp
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; The University of New South Wales; Kensington NSW Australia
| | - J. Garcia-Porta
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra); Barcelona Spain
| | - M. Hagman
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; The University of New South Wales; Kensington NSW Australia
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15
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Baird TA, Lovern MB, Shine R. Heightened aggression and winning contests increase corticosterone but decrease testosterone in male Australian water dragons. Horm Behav 2014; 66:393-400. [PMID: 24907453 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Water dragons (Intellegama [Physignathus] lesueurii) are large (to >1m) agamid lizards from eastern Australia. Males are fiercely combative; holding a territory requires incessant displays and aggression against other males. If a dominant male is absent, injured or fatigued, another male soon takes over his territory. Our sampling of blood from free-ranging adult males showed that baseline levels of both testosterone and corticosterone were not related to a male's social tactic (territorial versus non-territorial), or his frequency of advertisement display, aggression, or courtship behavior. Even when we elicited intense aggression by non-territorial males (by temporarily removing territory owners), testosterone did not increase with the higher levels of aggression that ensued. Indeed, testosterone levels decreased in males that won contests. In contrast, male corticosterone levels increased with the heightened aggression during unsettled conditions, and were higher in males that won contests. High chronic male-male competition in this dense population may favor high testosterone levels in all adult males to facilitate advertisement and patrol activities required for territory maintenance (by dominant animals), and to maintain readiness for territory take-overs (in non-territorial animals). Corticosterone levels increased in response to intense aggression during socially unstable conditions, and were higher in contest winners than losers. A positive correlation between the two hormones during socially unstable conditions suggests that the high stress of contests decreased androgen production. The persistent intense competition in this population appears to exact a high physiological cost, which together with our observation that males sometimes lose their territories to challengers may indicate cycling between these two tactics to manage long-term energetic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy A Baird
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, USA.
| | - Matthew B Lovern
- Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA 74078.
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Hamilton DG, Whiting MJ, Pryke SR. Fiery frills: carotenoid-based coloration predicts contest success in frillneck lizards. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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