Publication
Title
Physiological colour change in the Moorish gecko, **Tarentola mauritanica** (Squamata: Gekkonidae) : effects of background, light, and temperature
Author
Abstract
Colour has many different functions in animals, such as an involvement in thermoregulation, crypsis, and social interactions. Species capable of physiological colour change may alter their coloration in response to ecological conditions. The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, is capable of actively changing its body coloration. In the present study, we investigated colour change in this gecko as a function of background, temperature, and light. Our results demonstrate that the Moorish gecko indeed changes its dorsal colour in response to changes in environmental conditions. By contrast to several other reptilian species, this rapid colour change does not appear to be associated with thermoregulation. Background matching, however, did appear to be a prominent function, although illumination appears to be an essential trigger. Future research should concentrate on individual variation and its effectiveness with respect to antipredatory mechanisms. (c) 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 107, 182-191.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Biological journal of the Linnean Society. - London
Publication
London : 2012
ISSN
0024-4066 [print]
1095-8312 [online]
DOI
10.1111/J.1095-8312.2012.01915.X
Volume/pages
107 :1 (2012) , p. 182-191
ISI
000307381200015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Molecular and functional bases of insular melanism in lacertid lizards.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.10.2012
Last edited 09.10.2023
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