Fiery frills: carotenoid-based coloration predicts contest success in frillneck lizards

Lay summary The bright red-orange colouration displayed on the conspicuous frill of the frillneck lizard is used to signal fighting ability to rivals. Males vary considerably in the colouration they display on their frills (orange to red), and when placed in contests with other males, lizards with t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral ecology 2013-09, Vol.24 (5), p.1138-1149
Main Authors: Hamilton, David G., Whiting, Martin J., Pryke, Sarah R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Lacertilia
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Summary:Lay summary The bright red-orange colouration displayed on the conspicuous frill of the frillneck lizard is used to signal fighting ability to rivals. Males vary considerably in the colouration they display on their frills (orange to red), and when placed in contests with other males, lizards with the brightest and reddest colouration win contests. This red-orange colouration is carotenoid-based and appears to signal age and quality because larger and more aggressive males have more intensely coloured patches. Lay summary The bright red-orange colouration displayed on the conspicuous frill of the frillneck lizard is used to signal fighting ability to rivals. Males vary considerably in the colouration they display on their frills (orange to red), and when placed in contests with other males, lizards with the brightest and reddest colouration win contests. This red-orange colouration is carotenoid-based and appears to signal age and quality because larger and more aggressive males have more intensely coloured patches.
ISSN:1045-2249
1465-7279
DOI:10.1093/beheco/art041