Morph-specific protein patterns in the femoral gland secretions of a colour polymorphic lizard.

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 colou

SUBMITTER: Mangiacotti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6557888 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature