Endocrinology of Species Differences in Sexually Dichromatic Signals

Abstract

Many animals have conspicuous social signals. Often these signals are expressed in one sex and function in the context of mate choice, intrasexual competition, or both (Andersson 1994; Bradbury and Vehrencamp 1998). A more complete understanding of sex-specific signals will come from integrative studies within a phylogenetic context (Ryan, Autumn, and Wake 1998). Integrative studies document the action of natural and sexual selection on signalers and receivers; determine the mechanistic basis of signals, signal perception and processing; and use historical perspectives to ask how sensory systems evolve (Endler 1992; Ryan 1997). Although much is known about ecological and evolutionary aspects of sexually selected traits (Andersson 1994), considerably less is known about their developmental basis and how selection has acted on these developmental mechanisms.

Citation

Hews, Diana K. ; Quinn, Vanessa S. 2003. Endocrinology of Species Differences in Sexually Dichromatic Signals. In: Fox, Stanley F., McCoy, J. Kelly, Baird, Tony A., eds. Lizard Social Behavior. Baltimore, MD: The John Hopkins University Press. Chapter 8: 253-277