A permanent signal related to male pairing success and survival in the lizard Psammodromus algirus

Authors: Salvador, Alfredo¹; Veiga, José P.²

Source: Amphibia-Reptilia, Volume 29, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 117-120(4)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Many species of lizards have colour spots on the flanks that may function as ornaments. We investigate the between-years stability of the blue patch colour saturation and the relationships between colour saturation, mating success, and survival in males of the lizard Psammodromus algirus. Saturation values of the anterior blue patch of males were significantly repeatable across years. Survivors had more saturated patches than non-survivors among paired males but not among non-paired males. The positive relationship between blue patch saturation and survival suggests that this morphological trait acts as a reliable signal of male quality measured as adult survival.

Keywords: COLORATION; PAIRING SUCCESS; PSAMMODROMUS ALGIRUS; SURVIVAL

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: 10.1163/156853808783431488

Affiliations: 1: Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain;, Email: mcnas500@mncn.csic.es 2: Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain

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