Journal article
Processes driving male breeding colour and ecomorphological diversification in rainbow skinks: A phylogenetic comparative test
G Dolman, D Stuart-Fox
Evolutionary Ecology | SPRINGER | Published : 2010
Abstract
We used a phylogenetic comparative approach to investigate the importance of ecological shifts in the diversification of both signalling traits and ecomorphological traits in a diverse group of Australian skinks (Carlia). First, we tested whether divergence in male breeding coloration is associated with shifts in habitat openness. Second, we examined whether the type or location of male breeding coloration changes predictably with habitat openness. Third, we tested the ecomorphological predictions that body size should vary in relation to habitat openness and that limb length, toe length and head depth should vary with substrate use. Divergence in male breeding coloration was positively asso..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Craig Moritz for guidance and partial funding. We are grateful to Adnan Moussalli for constructive comments and Craig Moritz, Sandie Degnan, Jeremy Austin and John Endler for helpful comments on drafts of an earlier manuscript. Weare very grateful to Patrick Couper and Andrew Amey (Queensland Museum), Paul Horner (Northern Territory Museum), Ross Sadlier (Australian Museum), Steve Donnellan (South Australian Museum) and Laurie Smith (West Australian Museum) for access to collections and insight into the biology of Carlia. GD was supported by an F. G. Meade Scholarship and a CSIRO OCE Postdoctoral Fellowship and DSF was supported by the Australian Research Council.