Title |
Male tawny dragons use throat patterns to recognize rivals
|
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Published in |
The Science of Nature, September 2012
|
DOI | 10.1007/s00114-012-0968-3 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Louise Osborne, Kate D. L. Umbers, Patricia R. Y. Backwell, J. Scott Keogh |
Abstract |
The ability to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics is important for many animals, especially territorial species since it allows them to avoid unnecessary interactions with individuals that pose little threat. There are very few studies, however, that identify the proximate cues that facilitate such recognition in visual systems. Here, we show that in tawny dragons (Ctenophorus decresii), males can recognize familiar and unfamiliar conspecific males based on morphological features alone, without the aid of chemical or behavioural cues. We further show that it is the colour pattern of the throat patches (gular) that facilitates this recognition. |
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Demographic breakdown
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Members of the public | 1 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Australia | 1 | 4% |
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Demographic breakdown
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Researcher | 6 | 26% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 13% |
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Medicine and Dentistry | 1 | 4% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
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