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Patterns of sexual dimorphism in Mexican alligator lizards, Barisia imbricata.

ABSTRACT: We compare morphological characteristics of male and female Barisia imbricata, Mexican alligator lizards, and find that mass, head length, coloration, incidence of scars from conspecifics, tail loss, and frequency of bearing the color/pattern of the opposite sex are all sexually dimorphic traits. Overall size (measured as snout-vent length), on the other hand, is not different between the two sexes. We use data on bite scar frequency and fecundity to evaluate competing hypotheses regarding the selective forces driving these patterns. We contend that sexual selection, acting through male-male competition, may favor larger mass and head size in males, whereas large females are likely favored by natural selection for greater fecundity. In addition, the frequency of opposite-sex patterning in males versus females may indicate that the costs of agonistic interactions among males are severe enough to allow for an alternative mating strategy. Finally, we discuss how sexual and natural selective forces may interact to drive or mask the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits.

SUBMITTER: Dashevsky D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3586635 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Patterns of sexual dimorphism in Mexican alligator lizards, Barisia imbricata.

Dashevsky Daniel D Meik Jesse M JM Mociño-Deloya Estrella E Setser Kirk K Schaack Sarah S

Ecology and evolution 20121226 2

We compare morphological characteristics of male and female Barisia imbricata, Mexican alligator lizards, and find that mass, head length, coloration, incidence of scars from conspecifics, tail loss, and frequency of bearing the color/pattern of the opposite sex are all sexually dimorphic traits. Overall size (measured as snout-vent length), on the other hand, is not different between the two sexes. We use data on bite scar frequency and fecundity to evaluate competing hypotheses regarding the s ...[more]

PMID: 23467394

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Project description:BackgroundSex dimorphism has been implicated in oral health differences and the pathogenesis of oral diseases, such as tooth agenesis, periodontal disease, dental caries, and tooth loss. Tooth agenesis (TA) is one of the most common developmental anomalies in humans, and its prevalence and patterns are different across ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypes and sex-associated patterns of nonsyndromic tooth agenesis (TA) in Thai dental patients.MethodsOne thousand ninety panoramic radiographs were examined. One hundred and one subjects (37 males, 64 females, 15-20 years-old) with nonsyndromic TA were evaluated. Differences in TA prevalence between groups were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher exact test.ResultsThe TA prevalence, excluding third molars, was 9.3% and more frequently found in the mandible compared with the maxilla. The maxilla demonstrated a higher prevalence of first premolar agenesis than the mandible (P = 0.012), while the mandible had a higher prevalence of second premolar agenesis than the maxilla (P = 0.031). There were significantly more males missing one tooth than females, however, there were more females missing two or more teeth than males (P = 0.042). A missing maxillary left lateral incisor was significantly more frequent in males (P = 0.019), while a missing mandibular right lateral incisor was more frequent in females (P = 0.025). In females, the pattern of two mandibular lateral incisors agenesis was the most common and significantly present in females more than males (P = 0.015). In contrast, the pattern of one mandibular left lateral incisor agenesis was only observed in males and significantly found in males more than females (P = 0.047).ConclusionsWe demonstrate sex-associated differences in nonsyndromic tooth agenesis. The prevalence of single tooth agenesis was higher in males, while that of two or more teeth agenesis was higher in females. We found different patterns of lateral incisor agenesis between males and females.

Dataset Information

Patterns of sexual dimorphism in Mexican alligator lizards, Barisia imbricata.

Publications

Patterns of sexual dimorphism in Mexican alligator lizards, Barisia imbricata.

Similar Datasets

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