Chemical signatures of femoral pore secretions in two syntopic but reproductively isolated species of Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus marthae and C. subcristatus).

ABSTRACT: The only known population of Conolophus marthae (Reptilia, Iguanidae) and a population of C. subcristatus are syntopic on Wolf Volcano (Isabela Island, Galápagos). No gene flow occurs suggesting that effective reproductive isolating mechanisms exist between these two species. Chemical signature of femoral pore secretions is important for intra- and inter-specific chemical communication in squamates. As a first step towards testing the hypothesis that chemical signals could mediate reproductive isolation between C. marthae and C. subcristatus, we compared the chemical profiles of femoral gland exudate from adults caught on Wolf Volcano. We compared data from three different years and focused on two years in particular when femoral gland exudate was collected from adults during the reproduct

SUBMITTER: Colosimo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7458923 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature