What Determines Paternity in Wild Lizards? A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Behavior and Morphology

Abstract Mating behavior in animals can be understood as a sequence of events that begins with individuals encountering one another and ends the production offspring. Behavioral descriptions animal interactions characterize early elements this sequence, genetic use offspring parentage to final outcome, behavioral physiological assessments mates mechanisms copulation fertilization comprising intermediate steps. However, mating systems are often inconsistent another, complicating expectations for crucial aspects biology, such presence multiple mating. Here, we data from wild population lizard Anolis cristatellus female potential sexual selection through mate choice species. We find 48% sampled females bore sired by males. Moreover, spatiotemporal proximity between males was associated whether male female’s offspring, if yes, how many he sired. Additionally, body size, but not display behavior, reproductive outcomes male–female pairs. While much remains learned about targets A. cristatellus, it is clear substantial component species’ system nature.