Information content of ultraviolet-reflecting colour patches and visual perception of body coloration in the Tyrrhenian wall lizard Podarcis tiliguerta

Colour signals are ubiquitous in nature but only recently have researchers recognised the potential of ultraviolet (UV)-reflecting colour patches to function as quality. Lacertid lizards often display UV-blue on their flanks and black spots over entire body, both which under sexual selection. They also a cryptic dorsum some species conspicuous, polymorphic ventral coloration. In this study, we use Tyrrhenian wall lizard Podarcis tiliguerta investigate information content lateral melanin males by assessing relationship between features individual quality traits. addition, visual modelling procedure examine whether coloration different body parts morphs can be distinguished system. We found that larger had more numerous patches, with higher UV chroma, UV-shifted hue, lower spectral intensity than smaller males. The extent throat, dorsum, correlated male size size-corrected head length not patches. These results suggest melanic may provide different, non-redundant about resource holding potential, thus act condition-dependent indicators Finally, chromatically from each other, most conspicuous while is least conspicuous. Many animals convey rivals or mates. Yet, until first show ultraviolet-blue correlate positively aspect such size. Furthermore, our suggests these able distinguish colours dorsal being