Honest signals and sexual conflict: Female lizards carry undesirable indicators of quality.

ABSTRACT: Sex differences in animal coloration often result from sex-dependent regulatory mechanisms. Still, some species exhibit incomplete sexual dimorphism as females carry a rudimentary version of a costly male trait, leading to intralocus sexual conflict. The underlying physiology and condition dependence of these traits can inform why such conflicts remain unresolved. In eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), blue iridophore badges are found in males and females, but melanin pigmentation underneath and surrounding badges is male-exclusive. We track color saturation and area of badges across sexual maturity, and their relationship to individual quality (body condition and immunocompetence) and relevant hormones (testosterone and corticosterone). Saturation and testosterone were po

SUBMITTER: Assis BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8216924 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature