Chemical polymorphism in male femoral gland secretions matches polymorphic coloration in common wall lizards ( Podarcis muralis )

摘要: Previous studies showed that common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) are polymorphic in colour, both sexes showing three main ventral morphs (white, yellow and red) within the same population correlate with many life-history traits, including a positive assortative mating according to colour. Chemical communication plays key role intra-specific recognition social organization of lizards; thus chemical cues might be involved morph mate choice. We used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) investigate possible differences lipophilic fraction femoral gland secretions between size/age classes explore whether match male colour morphs. As expected, most males shared compounds, but smaller significantly higher proportions aldehydes, alcohols ketones lower tocopherols than larger males. Interestingly, inter-morph proportion some compounds (especially furanones) matched polymorphism. Pairwise comparisons white had different profiles red ones, whereas were only marginal. A further canonical analysis principal coordinates correctly classified 67.2 % on average (white 85.0 %, 60.9 %, 57.1 %). hypothesized associated polymorphism may play central even sexual selection, allowing individuals choose their partners age, more interestingly morph, non-random system.