Cryptic Ontogenetic Changes in the Ventral Coloration of a Color Polymorphic Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis).

ABSTRACT: Many animals undergo irreversible ontogenetic color changes (OCCs), yet these changes are often overlooked despite their potential ethological relevance. The problem is compounded when OCCs involve wavelengths invisible to humans. Wall lizards can perceive ultraviolet (UV) light, and their conspicuous ventral and ventrolateral coloration-including UV-reflecting patched-likely serves social communication. Here, we describe OCCs in the ventral (throat and belly) and ventrolateral (outer ventral scales, OVS) coloration of juvenile common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) as perceived by conspecifics. We measured reflectance in hatchling and yearling lizards raised under semi-natural conditions and used visual modeling to estimate chromatic distances within individuals and across life stages (i.

SUBMITTER: Abalos J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12705343 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature