Publication
Title
Evolutionary maintenance of sexual dimorphism in head size in the lizard **Zootoca vivipara** : a test of two hypotheses
Author
Abstract
Zootoca vivipara is a small lizard that shows sexual dimorphism in head size. Males have larger heads than females of the same body size. By observing matings and aggressive interactions between males in the laboratory, we investigated whether this sexual dimorphism could be the result of intra- and/or intersexual selection. Winners of male-male interactions had larger heads than losers. During mating attempts, males with larger heads succeeded in grasping a female faster than males with smaller heads. It follows that head size in Z vivipara may affect male reproductive success both through intrasexual competition (fighting ability) and through intersexual selection (grasping ability). This suggests that sexual selection may be the cause for the sexual dimorphism in head size in this species.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of zoology. - London
Publication
London : 2003
ISSN
0952-8369
0022-5460
DOI
10.1017/S0952836902003308
Volume/pages
259 :Part 1 (2003) , p. 7-13
ISI
000182606700002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 01.10.2012
Last edited 25.05.2022
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