Abstract
Tropidurus melanopleurus is a highly dimorphic tropidurid lizard that is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes from Argentina to Peru. Adult males are larger than females and also have longer and wider heads. The hind legs show isometric growth in females and negative allometric growth in males, as do head width and head length of both sexes. Sexes differ in thermoregulation and diet. Males appear to be thermoregulators, whereas females are thermoconformers. Females are active over broader ranges of body temperature. Males prey upon a wide variety of arthropods, whereas females have a narrow myrmecophagous diet. At present, it is not possible to decide whether sexual or natural selection explains the sexual dimorphism observed in T. melanopleurus. Body size could be the product of sexual selection modified by ecological factors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
