Meeting Abstract
Instances of color or pattern polymorphism in species often coincide with suites of phenotypic differences among discrete morphs. In most species, these trait differences are collectively inferred to represent either alternative mating (e.g., throat color) or ecological (e.g., dorsal pattern) strategies. Both of these phenomena occur in lizards, although typically not in the same species. Moreover, for species expressing a throat color polymorphism, attention is often biased towards males. In ornate tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus), both male and female lizards exhibit multiple throat color morphs. In addition, females also exhibit discrete variation in dorsal pattern that does not coincide with their throat color polymorphism. Aside from differences in mate preferences among female throat color morphs, little is known regarding the ecological or evolutionary implications of these throat color and dorsal pattern differences for female lizards. Here I characterize the throat color and dorsal pattern polymorphisms in female U. ornatus and test whether morphs diverge along several phenotypic axes associated with variation in morphology, physiological capacity, behavior, and ecology. Overall, females exhibit discrete throat color and dorsal pattern variation that does not change over time or signal reproductive state. Whereas throat color is associated with variation in male proximity, females differing in dorsal pattern vary in morphology and microhabitat use. Currently, I am analyzing mark-recapture data and data on female performance capacity and behavior to further delineate the role of selection on, and physiological extent of, morph differences. Ultimately, these findings will provide key insights into the degree of phenotypic divergence in female U. ornatus, as well as the relative roles of natural and sexual selection in driving their patterns of trait variation.
