Sexual selection and the evolution of complex color patterns in dragon lizards.

摘要: Many species have elaborate and complex coloration patterning, which often differ between the sexes. Sexual selection may increase size or intensity of color patches (elaboration) in one sex drive evolution novel signal elements (innovation). The latter potentially increases pattern complexity. Color complexity also be influenced by ecological factors related to predation environment; however, very few studies investigated effects both sexual natural on across species. We used a phylogenetic comparative approach examine these 85 subspecies Australian dragon lizards (family Agamidae). quantified adapting Shannon-Wiener diversity index. There were clear differences complexity, positively correlated with dichromatism dimorphism, consistent idea that plays significant role By contrast, we found little evidence link environmental body regions exposed predators. Our results suggest rather than has led increased males.