Evolutionary Behavioural Ecology of an Australian Lizard with Alternative Reproductive Tactics PDF Download

Author: Daniel W.A. Noble
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lizards
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Author: Rui F. Oliveira
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139469525
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 490

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Book Description
The study of alternative reproductive tactics (the behavioural strategies used by individuals to increase their reproductive success) is an evolutionary puzzle, and one of great interest to researchers. For instance, why do some males guard both nest and eggs, while others sneak into nests while pairs are spawning and fertilise those eggs? The field offers a special opportunity to study the evolution and functional causes of phenotypic variation, which is a general problem in the field of evolutionary biology. By integrating both mechanistic (psychological) and evolutionary (behavioural ecology) perspectives and by covering a great diversity of species, Alternative Reproductive Tactics addresses this integrated topic of longstanding interest, bringing together a multitude of otherwise scattered information in an accessible form that is ideal for graduate students and researchers.

Author: Vincent Bels
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429637551
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 569

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Book Description
Key features: Presents a contemporary snapshot of the mechanisms underlying the evolution and adaptation of behavior Explores how genetics, epigenetics, development, and environment shape behavior Discusses a broad range of behavioral repertoires and responses, including those related to thermoregulatory, foraging, predatory, displaying, social and escape strategies. Examines physiological and sensory mechanisms Covers the effects of various aspects of global change on behavior, with chapters that focus on the impacts of climate change on hydroregulatory behavior and behavioral responses to the effects of habitat alteration resulting from human-mediated change and colonization by invasive species. Lizards serve as focal organisms for many of biological questions related to evolution, ecology, physiology, and morphology. They are studied at multiple spatial and temporal scales, from the individual to the community level. This book, authored by expert contributors from around the world, explores behaviors underlying the evolution and adaptation of these organisms. It covers conceptual, empirical, and methodological approaches to the understanding of the role that natural and sexual selection play in molding the behavioral traits of lizards. This thorough, illustrated reference should stimulate discussion of the conceptual and methodological approaches for studying the behavioral traits of these fascinating and highly diverse vertebrates.

Author: Joshua R. York
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Collared lizards
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
"Sexual selection theory often predicts that socially dominant males should sire more offspring than males adopting subordinate social tactics. However, it is often difficult to determine the extent to which this expected distribution of male reproductive success is influenced by intra- and intersexual selection. Using a combination of field behavioral studies and molecular genetic techniques, I first tested the extent to which observations of social and spatial behavior predicted the distribution of reproductive success among female collared lizards and males displaying alternative social tactics (territorial and non-territorial) during a single reproductive season. I also examined the strength of sexual selection acting on male morphological and behavioral traits. Contrary to expectations, male social status did not accurately predict patterns of reproductive success: non-territorial males obtained reproductive success equal to that of territorial males and females were highly promiscuous, mating with a similar number of territorial and non-territorial males, both within and among successive clutches. None of the traits that I examined were significant targets of sexual selection among non-territorial males. However, male snout-vent-length was under positive directional selection among territorial males. To test the generality of my earlier findings, I expanded my analyses to encompass three seasons to examine how the number of female mates and offspring sired among males varied with marked natural variation in the intensity of intra- and intersexual selection within and among seasons, and the influence of behavioral traits on male fitness. I also examined how the degree of female promiscuity varied with changes in the intensity of sexual selection and the influence of female promiscuity on offspring survivorship. Unexpectedly, results from all seasons confirmed that non-territorial males consistently mated with similar numbers of females and sired similar numbers of offspring as territorial males. Moreover, females were promiscuous in all three seasons with similar numbers of territorial and non-territorial males. However, promiscuity decreased offspring survivorship. Together, my results suggest that mating relationships among collared lizards contrast sharply with predictions from classical mating system theory and likely represent the outcome of sexual conflict. Both sexual conflict and the high reproductive success of non-territorial males appear to be promoted by the homogeneous and continuous topography of the semi-natural habitat at my study site, which differs markedly from the natural habitat of collared lizards."--Abstract.

Author: Christopher William Thompson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Color variation (Biology)
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Author: Allen E. Greer
Publisher: Surrey Beatty and Sons
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description

Author: Dustin R. Rubenstein
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107043395
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 479

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Book Description
A comparative view of the major features of animal social life and the evolution of cooperative group living.

Author: Justin L. Rheubert
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1466579870
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 742

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Book Description
Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Lizards and Tuatara is a remarkable compendium of chapters written by the world's leading experts from over four continents. The book begins with a chapter recounting historical discoveries in reproductive biology and a review of phylogenetics and up-to-date hypotheses concerning evolutionary relationships amon

Author: Yasuhiko Sagara
Publisher: Parthenon Publishing
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description

Author: Jane Melville
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781921833496
Category : Agamidae
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
The only title available on Australian Dragon Lizards including the most recent understanding of their origins and life history. Australia's mostly hot dry continent is home to nearly 800 described species and the seven Australian families represent four evolutionary lineages; three families of geckoes and flap-footed (legless) lizards; skinks; goannas and dragons. Australia is a land of lizards, with an amazing diversity of species that rivals any other country on earth. The authors aim to convey their admiration for these amazing animals and share the knowledge and experience gained from working with them. Provided are the most recent understanding of their origins, life history, habitat and distribution. Also included is an individual account of all of Australia's dragon species, featuring the most up to date taxonomic classification. Each is described, illustrated and mapped.