Sexual dimorphism and sexual dichromatism in the Small-scaled Rock Agama, Laudakia microlepis (Blanford, 1874) (Sauria: Agamidae)

We analysed the sexual dimorphism of morphological features and colouration of the Small-scaled Rock Agama, Laudakia microlepis, one of the least known agamas of the Iranian Plateau, and also elaborated some of the ecological and behavioural features of the species which might have had a causal role...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoology in the Middle East 2008-01, Vol.45 (1), p.41-48
Main Authors: Cheatsazan, Hamed, Rabani, Vahideh, Mahjoorazad, Atabak
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agama
Dimorphism
Iran
Middle East
sexual dichromatism
sexual evolution
sexual selection
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Summary:We analysed the sexual dimorphism of morphological features and colouration of the Small-scaled Rock Agama, Laudakia microlepis, one of the least known agamas of the Iranian Plateau, and also elaborated some of the ecological and behavioural features of the species which might have had a causal role in the evolution of its current pattern of sexual dimorphism and dichromatism. In the populations examined, males can be distinguished from females by having larger bodies and legs, more pointed and more voluminous heads, and sometimes more developed callous scales on the midventral and preanal regions. Out of the 12 body regions examined, only 2 concealed regions, chest and ventral region of the abdomen, show sex-dependent dichromatism. Both sexual dimorphism and sexual dichromatism of the species fit the classical agamid pattern of sexual dimorphism which is the result of an evolutionary interaction between natural selection and sexual selection. Considering the extensive range of the species and the diverse characteristics of its microclimate and microhabitat structure, it provides an appropriate model for studying the evolutionary trajectory of the classical pattern of sexual dimorphism in the Iranian species of Laudakia.
ISSN:0939-7140
2326-2680
DOI:10.1080/09397140.2008.10638305