Environmentally induced changes in carotenoid-based coloration of female lizards: a comment on Vercken et al.

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_7B85861F9A98
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Environmentally induced changes in carotenoid-based coloration of female lizards: a comment on Vercken et al.
Journal
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Author(s)
Cote J., Le Galliard J.F., Rossi J.M., Fitze P.S.
ISSN
1420-9101 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1010-061X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
21
Number
4
Pages
1165-72; discussion 1160-4
Language
english
Abstract
Colouration may either reflect a discrete polymorphism potentially related to life-history strategies, a continuous signal related to individual quality or a combination of both. Recently, Vercken et al. [J. Evol. Biol. (2007) 221] proposed three discrete ventral colour morphs in female common lizards, Lacerta vivipara, and suggested that they reflect alternative reproductive strategies. Here, we provide a quantitative assessment of the phenotypic distribution and determinants of the proposed colour polymorphism. Based on reflectance spectra, we found no evidence for three distinct visual colour classes, but observed continuous variation in colour from pale yellow to orange. Based on a 2-year experiment, we also provide evidence for reversible colour plasticity in response to a manipulation of the adult population sex ratio; yet, a significant portion of the colour variation was invariant throughout an adult female's life. Our results are thus in agreement with continuous colour variation in adults determined by environmental factors and potentially also by genetic factors.
Keywords
Aging/physiology, Animals, Carotenoids/metabolism, Color, Environment, Female, Lizards/anatomy & histology, Lizards/metabolism, Male
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
12/11/2010 9:48
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:37
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