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Male aggression varies with throat color in 2 distinct populations of the mesquite lizard

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Listed:
  • Elizabeth Bastiaans
  • Gen Morinaga
  • José Gamaliel Castañeda Gaytán
  • Jonathon C. Marshall
  • Barry Sinervo

Abstract

We describe discrete variation in throat color, an important sexual signal, in males of 2 populations of the mesquite lizard (Sceloporus grammicus). At one locality, males exhibit orange, yellow, and blue morphs; whereas at the other, males exhibit orange, yellow, and white morphs. We performed dyadic agonistic behavior trials in both populations and found that variation in throat color is associated with variation in aggression level. However, the association between color and behavior is not the same between these 2 populations. The association between color and behavior in the mesquite lizard is also not consistent with some of the associations documented in closely related species with variable throat color. Our findings suggest that although the tendency for discrete color variation to signal alternative reproductive tactics is phylogenetically widespread, both the color signals and the behaviors associated with them may change rapidly over evolutionary time.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Bastiaans & Gen Morinaga & José Gamaliel Castañeda Gaytán & Jonathon C. Marshall & Barry Sinervo, 2013. "Male aggression varies with throat color in 2 distinct populations of the mesquite lizard," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 24(4), pages 968-981.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:24:y:2013:i:4:p:968-981.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/art010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter D. Dijkstra & Charlotte Hemelrijk & Ole Seehausen & Ton G.G. Groothuis, 2009. "Color polymorphism and intrasexual competition in assemblages of cichlid fish," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(1), pages 138-144.
    2. Peter D. Dijkstra & Sander van Dijk & Ton G.G. Groothuis & Michele E.R. Pierotti & Ole Seehausen, 2009. "Behavioral dominance between female color morphs of a Lake Victoria cichlid fish," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(3), pages 593-600.
    3. Stacey L. Weiss, 2006. "Female-specific color is a signal of quality in the striped plateau lizard (Sceloporus virgatus)," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 17(5), pages 726-732, September.
    4. Colin Bleay & Barry Sinervo, 2007. "Discrete genetic variation in mate choice and a condition-dependent preference function in the side-blotched lizard: implications for the formation and maintenance of coadapted gene complexes," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 18(2), pages 304-310.
    5. Wayne J. Korzan & Russell D. Fernald, 2007. "Territorial male color predicts agonistic behavior of conspecifics in a color polymorphic species," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 18(2), pages 318-323.
    6. Lesley T. Lancaster & Christy A. Hipsley & Barry Sinervo, 2009. "Female choice for optimal combinations of multiple male display traits increases offspring survival," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(5), pages 993-999.
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