Variation and Evolution of the Push-Up Displays of the Side-Blotched Lizard Genus Uta (Iguanidae)
1971; Oxford University Press; Volume: 20; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1093/sysbio/20.1.79
ISSN1076-836X
Autores Tópico(s)Plant and animal studies
ResumoVariation and evolution of the push-up displays of the side-blotched lizard Genus Uta (Iguanidae). Syst. Zool., 19:79–101.—Push-up displays vary among several populations of the lizard genus Uta and allow new interpretations of the systematics and evolutionary history of the genus. Variation in the displays can be divided into seven geographic zones of push-up similarity; taxonomic recognition of the display variation may require revision of the infraspecific taxonomy of Uta stansburiana. The push-up display characteristic of Uta palmeri is probably primitive to that of other populations; probable evolutionary trends in the modification of the display are discussed. Some of these modifications probably have evolved within the last 12,000 years, and some may have resulted from hybridization or introgression between Uta populations. The push-up display is probably a communicative signal and is performed during intraspecific aggression and mating. Selective or other factors possibly regulating intrapopulation stereotypy and interpopulation divergence of the display are discussed.
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