Abstract
The Canary Island lizard, Gallotia galloti is characterised on Tenerife by east-west mitochondrial lineages reflecting historical processes and microgeographic colour patterns associated with north-south biotopes. Males in the northern biotope (humid and cloudy) have ultraviolet (UV) markings on the cheek, whereas males in the southern biotope (arid and barren) have UV markings on the trunk and shoulder. A recent study of nuclear markers found gene flow was associated with UV markings rather than phylogeographic lineages or isolation-by-distance. This proposal aims to determine whether the UV markings are involved in sexual selection; specifically whether female preferences for UV markings have the potential to restrict gene flow. This study also has potential as a precursor to a larger study of the role of sexual selection in generating biodiversity in G. galloti.
United Kingdom