Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii
Color polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as striking phenotypic variation is maintained within a single species. Color and other traits mediate social interactions, and stable polymorphism within a population is hypothesized to be related to correlational selection of other phenotypic tra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2020-11-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/10284.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797419828875624448 |
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| author | Kinsey M. Brock Simon Baeckens Colin M. Donihue José Martín Panayiotis Pafilis Danielle L. Edwards |
| author_facet | Kinsey M. Brock Simon Baeckens Colin M. Donihue José Martín Panayiotis Pafilis Danielle L. Edwards |
| author_sort | Kinsey M. Brock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Color polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as striking phenotypic variation is maintained within a single species. Color and other traits mediate social interactions, and stable polymorphism within a population is hypothesized to be related to correlational selection of other phenotypic traits among color morphs. Here, we report on a previously unknown throat color polymorphism in the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and examine morph-correlated differences in traits important to social behavior and communication: maximum bite force capacity and chemical signal profile. We find that both sexes of P. erhardii have three color morphs: orange, yellow, and white. Moreover, orange males are significantly larger and tend to bite harder than yellow and white males. Although the established color polymorphism only partially matches the observed intraspecific variation in chemical signal signatures, the chemical profile of the secretions of orange males is significantly divergent from that of white males. Our findings suggest that morph colors are related to differences in traits that are crucial for social interactions and competitive ability, illustrating the need to look beyond color when studying polymorphism evolution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:53:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2557ace6594342ba82934b6709a32e7f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:53:55Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-2557ace6594342ba82934b6709a32e7f2023-12-03T10:13:37ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592020-11-018e1028410.7717/peerj.10284Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardiiKinsey M. Brock0Simon Baeckens1Colin M. Donihue2José Martín3Panayiotis Pafilis4Danielle L. Edwards5Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of AmericaLaboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, BelgiumDepartment of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of AmericaDepartment of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, SpainDepartment of Zoology and Marine Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Athens, GreeceDepartment of Life & Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States of AmericaColor polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as striking phenotypic variation is maintained within a single species. Color and other traits mediate social interactions, and stable polymorphism within a population is hypothesized to be related to correlational selection of other phenotypic traits among color morphs. Here, we report on a previously unknown throat color polymorphism in the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and examine morph-correlated differences in traits important to social behavior and communication: maximum bite force capacity and chemical signal profile. We find that both sexes of P. erhardii have three color morphs: orange, yellow, and white. Moreover, orange males are significantly larger and tend to bite harder than yellow and white males. Although the established color polymorphism only partially matches the observed intraspecific variation in chemical signal signatures, the chemical profile of the secretions of orange males is significantly divergent from that of white males. Our findings suggest that morph colors are related to differences in traits that are crucial for social interactions and competitive ability, illustrating the need to look beyond color when studying polymorphism evolution.https://peerj.com/articles/10284.pdfColor polymorphismBite forceChemical signalsLizardTraitsPodarcis erhardii |
| spellingShingle | Kinsey M. Brock Simon Baeckens Colin M. Donihue José Martín Panayiotis Pafilis Danielle L. Edwards Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii PeerJ Color polymorphism Bite force Chemical signals Lizard Traits Podarcis erhardii |
| title | Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii |
| title_full | Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii |
| title_fullStr | Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii |
| title_short | Trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard, Podarcis erhardii |
| title_sort | trait differences among discrete morphs of a color polymorphic lizard podarcis erhardii |
| topic | Color polymorphism Bite force Chemical signals Lizard Traits Podarcis erhardii |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/10284.pdf |
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