Recknagel, H. , Layton, M., Carey, R., Leitao, H., Sutherland, M. and Elmer, K. R. (2018) Melanism in common lizards (Squamata: Lacertidae: Zootoca vivipara): new evidence for a rare but widespread ancestral polymorphism. Herpetology Notes, 11, pp. 607-612.
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Publisher's URL: https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/33903/34474
Abstract
The presence of a dark-coloured body colouration polymorphism (melanism) is a pervasive phenomenon in the animal kingdom, particularly in reptiles. We provide the first reporting of melanic individuals in a subspecies of common lizards, Zootoca vivipara carniolica or the Eastern oviparous lineage. Two melanic females were found of 194 individuals collected. Melanic females did not differ in size or weight from non-melanic females. No melanic individuals were found (N = 134) in the nearby viviparous population. Melanism has been reported in related lineages of Z. vivipara, so the discovery in this sister to all other lineages suggests that it is an ancestral polymorphism. The frequency of melanism varies but other studies also find it is very rare (<3%) and may be sex-biased. The processes mediating advantages and disadvantages of melanism in Z. vivipara are unclear and require more research.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This research was funded in part by NERC (grant: NE/N003942/1) to KRE. Research was conducted with approval under permits HE3-NS-959/2013 (012/2016) and HE3- NS-959/2013 (020/2017) |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Layton, Miss Megan and Recknagel, Mr Hans and Elmer, Professor Kathryn and Sutherland, Mr Mark and Leitao, Mr Henrique |
| Authors: | Recknagel, H., Layton, M., Carey, R., Leitao, H., Sutherland, M., and Elmer, K. R. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Herpetology Notes |
| Publisher: | Societas Europaea Herpetologica |
| ISSN: | 2071-5773 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2071-5773 |
| Published Online: | 15 August 2018 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 Societas Europaea Herpetologica |
| First Published: | First published in Herpetology Notes 11:607-612 |
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