Sex Recognition by Males of the Lizard Lacerta vivipara: An Introductory Study

Abstract

AbstractThe role of colour pattern and odiferous cues in sex identification by adult males of the lizard Lacerta vivipara was examined by observing their behavioural response towards several types of introduced conspecific adults. Reproductive males courted both receptive and non-receptive adult females. In addition, they courted introduced males that were painted to mimic the females' colour pattern, indicating that pigmentation functions in sex recognition. Responses of males to females painted as males, untreated females, and uniformly black painted females were identical. This demonstrates that males do not rely exclusively on colour pattern for sex recognition. Odour does not seem to be important as a secondary factor in stimulating courtship. The possible contribution of other stimuli to sex identification is discussed.