© 1977 by The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Species Recognition, Dewlap Function and Faunal Size
1Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
2Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa, Canal Zone
Although having a number of functions in reproductive, territorial and aggressive behavior, Anolis dewlaps are only one means of intraspecific signaling and they are always present in small anole faunas (e.g., those of one or two species islands) but here, in contrast to the situation in large faunas, their color and pattern appear usually very similar and appear to be unimportant for species (or population) recognition. The latter function is then performed by such characteristics as adult size and body color and pattern. Where, however, numerous species abut or overlap, dewlap color and pattern tend to be diverse and diagnostic (particularly between overlapping forms). Even here, however, adult size, body shape and body color often redundantly reinforce the species and population recognition function of even marked dewlap difference. In certain cases in complex faunas, size and/or body pattern substitute for the species recognition function of reduced or absent dewlaps.