The evolution of sexual size dimorphism in reptiles
نویسندگان
چکیده
Reptiles figure prominently in both historical and current research on sexual size dimorphism (SSD), in part because of the considerable range of dimorphisms and life histories observed within this group. In this chapter, we describe the major patterns of SSD in reptiles and discuss the primary evolutionary hypotheses and ecological correlates proposed to explain these patterns. Our discussion of patterns in reptile SSD is based on a large dataset for which we compiled measures of adult SSD for 1314 populations representing 832 species (479 lizards, 277 snakes, and 76 turtles). To address the major evolutionary hypotheses for SSD, we focus our discussion on recent comparative studies that examine the relationships between SSD and various ecological and evolutionary correlates across multiple populations and species.
منابع مشابه
What is the relative importance of sexual selection and ecological processes in the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in monogamous shorebirds?
Sexual size dimorphism is widespread among animals; males are larger than females in most birds and mammals whereas the opposite is true among invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles (Andersson 1994, Fairbairn 1997). These taxonomic differences have influenced the terminology and prevailing hypotheses for dimorphism. Although sexual size dimorphism is often described as “normal-” or “reversed-” ...
متن کاملStudy of Sexual Dimorphism in Second-to-fourth Digit Length Ratio (2D: 4D) in the Green-Bellied Lizard (Darevskia cholorogaster) from Iran
Sexual dimorphism in digit ration is related to genetic differences between species in response to prenatal exposure to hormones. In this study, the development of tetrapod digits, preliminary the ratio between the length of digit II and IV (2D: 4D) was investigated in 34 samples of Darevskia cholorogaster in the North of Iran. The results showed no significant differences between sexes in any ...
متن کاملSexual dimorphism in digit length ratios of the second to fourth digits (2D:4D) in two species of green toads (Pelobates syriacus Boettger, 1889 and Bufo viridis (Laurenti, 1768))
Sexual dimorphism in the ratio of digits length is a morphological feature resulted from the interaction between sex hormones and prenatal Hox genes, the latter is known to control the development of both limbs and genitals. The status of this trend and ratios have been investigated in various animal groups, including humans, other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. In this study, the bo...
متن کاملEvaluation of sexual dimorphism on the basis of morphometric traits in Talysh toad, Bufo eichwaldi (Litvinchuk, Borkin, Skorinov & Rosanov, 2008), along with the evaluation of the conservation status of the species
The status of sexual dimorphism patterns in human and various animal groups including some mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have been studied, however, despite the fact that a growing number of studies were aimed to describe sexual dimorphism patterns in external morphological features such as the proportion of toes in animals, our knowledge of some basic issues, specially in some animal...
متن کاملFunctional and ecological correlates of ecologically-based dimorphisms in squamate reptiles.
Sexual dimorphism in phenotypic traits associated with the use of resources is a widespread phenomenon throughout the animal kingdom. While ecological dimorphisms are often initially generated by sexual selection operating on an animal's size, natural selection is believed to maintain, or even amplify, these dimorphisms in certain ecological settings. The trophic apparatus of snakes has proven ...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
دوره شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2007