Meeting Abstract

55.1  Jan. 6  Linking badge morphology, performance, and field behavior in the ornate tree lizard, Urosaurus ornatus. MCELROY, E*; MEYERS, J; IRSCHICK, D; Ohio U.; U. Mass. Amherst; U. Mass. Amherst em386403@ohiou.edu

Sexual badges honestly signal performance and fighting ability. However, few studies have tested whether this relationship translates into field behavior, which is key to understanding how badge structure relates to individual fitness. Urosaurus ornatus, is polymorphic for throat coloration with throat morph-type being related to social dominance and aggression. In addition, the size of the extensible belly patch has been shown to positively correlate with bite force. This study examines the link between badge morphology (belly patch, dewlap, and background area and throat morph), performance (sprint speed and bite force), and field behavior (percent time displaying: PTD, displays per minute: DPM, Percent time moving: PTM, moves per minute: MPM) among 43 adult males at Wet Beaver Creek, AZ. We expected that morphs would not differ in performance but would differ in field behavior with more aggressive morphs having higher display and movement rates than subordinate morphs. Additionally, we expected individuals with larger belly patches to have larger bite forces and higher display rates than individuals with smaller belly patches. We found that morphs did not differ in bite force, sprint speed or any measure of field behavior. Additionally, we found that belly patch and dewlap size positively correlate with bite force and field behavior but not sprint speed. Our results support previous findings that throat coloration is not related to performance but belly/dewlap patch size are positively correlated with bite performance. In addition, we show that the relationship between badge size and performance translates into field behavior: individuals with larger patches and bite forces have higher display and movement rates.