Abstract

"We studied sexual and geographic variation of color patterns in the lizard Liolaemus tenuis. We counted the number of scales with different colors in two body regions, in individuals of both sexes, from three groups of populations along a latitudinal range. Color patterns showed sexual and geographic variations; females and the northern group were the darkest. The selective pressures of these color pattern variations are unclear. However, considering that L. tenuis males are territorial and polygamous, we postulate that sexual variation in color would be consequence of sexual selection involving female choice and male-male interactions (e.g. agonistic displays among males). Geographic variation may be determined by predation pressure, as there is a tendency to a color matching with the predominant color of the environment (i.e. predominance of dark colors towards scrublands)."