Abstract
Studies were performed to investigate the hormonal basis for sexual dimorphism in ventral pigmentation of Sceloporus occidentalis. Immature lizards of both sexes were similar in appearance, but males developed dark pigmentation as they approached maturity. The distinctive male pigment pattern resulted from increases in the number of scale rows containing melanophores, scale melanophore density, and degree of melanophore expansion. Treatment of immature male and female lizards with androgen pellets resulted in precocious development of the typical male pattern although young males showed a greater level of pigment dispersion than did young females. Castrated adult males showed a decline in level of melanophore expansion but not in number of scale rows occupied by melanophores. Androgen replacement therapy maintained precastration levels of pigment dispersion. Castrated adult females showed no decline in pigment dispersion from precastration condition but responded to androgen treatment by increased melanophore expansion.
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