Sexual signal conspicuity is correlated with tail autotomy in an anoline lizard

Wuthrich, Kelly Lin; Stock, Derek; Talavera, Janelle B; Putman, Breanna J.; Swierk, Lindsey

doi:10.1093/cz/zoab064

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…2019; Wuthrich et al. 2022). Besides, the reproductive success of animals might be greatly improved by conducting autotomy.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Autotomy does not affect the locomotor performance of a scorpion

MAO,

ZHANG

2023

Integr. Zool.

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“…2019; Wuthrich et al. 2022). Besides, the reproductive success of animals might be greatly improved by conducting autotomy.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…1). By performing the autotomy behavior, animals can effectively survive predation or non-predatory entrapment, or reduce the cost of injury (Emberts et al 2019;Wuthrich et al 2022). Besides, the reproductive success of animals might be greatly improved by conducting autotomy.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Autotomy does not affect the locomotor performance of a scorpion

MAO,

ZHANG

2023

Integr. Zool.

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“…Ornament honesty is thought to be maintained by the fitness costs of ornamentation (Grafen, 1990; Zahavi, 1977). Such costs can arise in a variety of ways: the striking colouration that attracts a mate may also attract the unwanted attention of predators (Swierk et al., 2021; Wuthrich et al., 2022); the elaborate display that signals quality and condition to the opposite sex may also invite intrasexual competition (Madden, 2002; Pestana et al., 2018); and a stand‐out adornment may be carried at the expense of immunocompetence (Verhulst et al., 1999). These consequences, in turn, can result in reduced somatic condition and shortened lifespan, thereby decreasing future reproduction (Grether, 1997; Simons et al., 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No effect of testosterone or sexual ornamentation on telomere dynamics: A case study and meta‐analyses

Taylor,

McQueen,

Eastwood

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Life‐history theory predicts that reproductive investments are traded‐off against self‐maintenance. Telomeres, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, offer a promising avenue for assessing life‐history trade‐offs, as they shorten in response to stressors and are predictive of the remaining lifespan. In males, testosterone frequently mediates life‐history trade‐offs, in part, through its effects on sexual ornamentation, which is an important aspect of reproductive investment. However, studies of within‐individual associations between telomere dynamics and sexual ornamentation are limited in number and have produced mixed results. Furthermore, most such studies have been observational, making it difficult to discern the nature of any causal relationship. To address this, we used short‐acting testosterone implants in free‐living male superb fairy‐wrens (Malurus cyaneus) to stimulate the production of a sexual ornament: early moult into a costly blue breeding plumage. We found no evidence that elevated testosterone, and the consequent earlier moult into breeding plumage, accelerated telomere shortening. We therefore followed up with a systematic review and two meta‐analyses (28 studies, 54 effect sizes) exploring the associations between telomeres and (1) testosterone and (2) sexual ornamentation. In line with our experimental findings, neither meta‐analysis showed an overall correlation of testosterone or sexual ornamentation with telomere length or telomere dynamics. However, meta‐regression showed that experimental, compared to observational, studies reported greater evidence of trade‐offs. Our meta‐analyses highlight the need for further experimental studies to better understand potential responses of telomere length or telomere dynamics to testosterone or sexual ornamentation.

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How does rapid body color change affect the conspicuity of lizards to their predators and conspecifics?

Rojo,

Swierk

2024

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Sexual signal conspicuity is correlated with tail autotomy in an anoline lizard

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Autotomy does not affect the locomotor performance of a scorpion

Autotomy does not affect the locomotor performance of a scorpion

No effect of testosterone or sexual ornamentation on telomere dynamics: A case study and meta‐analyses

How does rapid body color change affect the conspicuity of lizards to their predators and conspecifics?

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