Individual quality and nuptial throat colour in male European green lizards

摘要: Nuptial traits signalling individual quality are common in numerous animal taxa, and play a significant role sexual selection. Detecting female mate choice based on visual cues is notoriously hard lizards. Previously, we found that European green lizards (Lacerta viridis) preferred to associate with males high ultraviolet (UV) throat reflectance. Here, investigated if different components of nuptial colour male were correlated other fitness-related traits, thus could signal quality. We (1) UV chroma correlates positively directional asymmetry shows negative trend body condition; (2) blue not related any traits; (3) total brightness size relative head size, negatively ectoparasite load. Our results suggest having reflectance costly for lizards, so probably only high-quality individuals can afford it, while the signals age, health status. Hence, multiple honest signal.