Structural- and carotenoid-based throat colour patches in males of Lacerta schreiberi reflect different parasitic diseases

摘要: Host species in populations under strong pressures from parasitic diseases may evolve ornaments to signal individual host quality conspecifics. Colour lizards result the interaction of different layers skin. When inner melanin and well-arranged iridophores are combined, UV-blue structural colouration results. On other hand, when erythrophores densely loaded with carotenoids, a UV-yellow is seen. The expression carotenoid-based traits has been frequently studied relation parasite infections. However, few studies have explored relationship between colouration. In this study, we investigated throat colour patches males Lacerta schreiberi infection by haemoparasites, ixodid ticks intestinal nematodes. brightness patch (a ornament) was positively correlated body condition negatively number attached ticks, supporting Hamilton Zuk’s hypothesis. Additionally, individuals that passed nematode eggs faeces had higher hue values (more greenish colouration). Strikingly, infected haemoparasites genus Schellackia showed melanin-based both chroma (i.e., UV-biased throats) than did uninfected individuals, suggesting key role for nuptial lizard species. Thus, combined information convey integrative about lacertid