Abstract
Alternative mating tactics in males of various taxa are associated with body color, body size, and social status. Chameleons are known for their ability to change body color following immediate environmental or social stimuli. In this study, we examined whether the differential appearance of male common chameleon during the breeding season is indeed an expression of alternative mating tactics. We documented body color of males and used computer vision techniques to classify images of individuals into discrete color patterns associated with seasons, individual characteristics, and social contexts. Our findings revealed no differences in body color and color patterns among males during the non-breeding season. However, during the breeding season males appeared in several color displays, which reflected body size, social status, and behavioral patterns. Furthermore, smaller and younger males resembled the appearance of small females. Consequently, we suggest that long-term color change in males during the breeding season reflects male alternative mating tactics. Upon encounter with a receptive female, males rapidly alter their appearance to that of a specific brief courtship display, which reflects their social status. The females, however, copulated indiscriminately in respect to male color patterns. Thus, we suggest that the differential color patterns displayed by males during the breeding season are largely aimed at inter-male signaling.
Highlights
Alternative mating tactics among males have been extensively studied and documented in various taxa, such as insects [1] isopods [2], mites [3], fish [4,5,6,7], amphibians [8], and reptiles [9,10,11,12]
Our recapture data showed that all males exhibit brown body color during their first breeding season (n = 67), while some of them appeared in green color during later breeding seasons
Our findings suggest that these unique breeding season and courtship color patterns are tightly linked with body size classes, and that there is no overlap between the long-term breeding season and short-term courtship color patterns within size classes, except in large males
Summary
Alternative mating tactics among males have been extensively studied and documented in various taxa, such as insects [1] isopods [2], mites [3], fish [4,5,6,7], amphibians [8], and reptiles [9,10,11,12]. Several studies in vertebrates have shown that the link between body size and mating tactics is often reflected in male rivalry over territories [13,14]. In these cases, larger males, which have a physical advantage over smaller ones, maintain the mating tactics of territorial males. Smaller males may select the "sneaker" tactic that, by avoiding territorial behavior, reduces conflict with dominant males [16,17,18,19]
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