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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Ultraviolet signals ultra-aggression in a lizard
Animal Behaviour, Volume 72, No. 2, Year 2006
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Description
Understanding the role of multiple colour signals during sexual signalling is a central theme in animal communication. We quantified the role of multiple colour signals (including ultraviolet, UV), measures of body size and testosterone levels in settling disputes between male rivals in an elaborately ornamented, African lizard, played out in a large 'tournament' in the wild. The hue and brightness (total reflectance) of the UV throat in Augrabies flat lizards, Platysaurus broadleyi, as well as body size, were consistent and strong predictors of 'fighting ability'. Males with high fighting ability were larger and displayed a UV throat with low total reflectance. In contrast, males with low fighting ability were smaller and had violet throats with broader spectral reflectance curves (higher total reflectance). As fighting ability is associated with alternative reproductive tactics in this system (territorial versus floater), we also examined the role of colour signals in predicting male reproductive tactic. Territorial males had UV throats with higher chroma but had poorer body condition than floater males, probably because of the energetic costs of maintaining a territory. Although testosterone was not a significant predictor of fighting ability or reproductive tactic, it was correlated with the hue of the UV throat, suggesting that testosterone may impose some constraint on signal expression. Lastly, we show that within the context of the natural signalling environment, UV-reflective throats constitute a conspicuous, effective signal that male Augrabies flat lizards use to advertise their status honestly to rivals. © 2006 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Authors & Co-Authors
Whiting, Martin J.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Stuart-Fox, Devi M.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
O'Connor, David
Australia, Sydney
The University of Sydney
Firth, David
United Kingdom, Coventry
University of Warwick
Bennett, Nigel C.
South Africa, Pretoria
University of Pretoria
Blomberg, Simone P.
Australia, Canberra
The Australian National University
Statistics
Citations: 178
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.10.018
ISSN:
00033472
Research Areas
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Participants Gender
Male