Group benefit associated with polymorphic trichromacy in a Malagasy primate (Propithecus verreauxi).

摘要: In some primate lineages, polymorphisms in the X-linked M/LWS opsin gene have produced intraspecific variation color vision. these species, heterozygous females exhibit trichromacy, while males and homozygous dichromacy. The evolutionary persistence of suggests that balancing selection maintains vision variation, possibly through a ‘trichromat advantage’ detecting yellow/orange/red foods against foliage. We identified genetic evidence polymorphic trichromacy population Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) at Kirindy Mitea National Park Madagascar, explored effects on reproductive success feeding behavior using nine years morphological, demographic, data. found trichromats dichromats residing social groups with higher body mass indices than individuals dichromat-only groups. Additionally, trichromat group devoted significantly more time to fruit had longer bouts hypothesize that, due small, cohesive groups, advantage productive patches during energetically stressful dry season also benefits trichromat’s group. Our results offer first support for ‘mutual benefit association’ hypothesis regarding maintenance primates.