A novel body coloration phenotype in Anolis sagrei: Implications for physiology, fitness, and predation.

ABSTRACT: In animals, color signals that convey information about quality are often associated with costs linked to the expression of coloration and may therefore be honest signals of sender quality. Honest indicators are often seen in sexual signals that are used by males to advertise quality to females. Carotenoid and pterin pigments are responsible for yellow, orange, and red coloration in a variety of taxa, but can also serve important roles as antioxidants by reducing free radicals in the body. In this study, we test the effects of a novel full-bodied orange color phenotype of the brown anole, Anolis sagrei, on mate choice, physiology, and survival. We found no evidence that lizards expressing the orange phenotype were preferred by females. Additionally, they did not differ in immune function,

SUBMITTER: Erritouni YR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312277 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature