Sexual dimorphism in the lacertid lizard Apathya cappadocica (Werner, 1902) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) from southeastern Türkiye

Authors : Kamil CANDAN, Elif YILDIRIM, Yusuf KUMLUTAŞ, Osman Sinan GÜNİSTER, Çetin ILGAZ

Pages : 14-23

Doi:10.53447/communc.1185771

View : 89 | Download : 131

Publication Date : 2023-06-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Apathya cappadocica is a medium-sized lizard species included in the family Lacertidae. The species is known from Türkiye, Northern Syria, Iraq, and Western Iran. Sexual dimorphism insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SD);, which is a phenomenon including phenotypic differences between males and females, has many effects on behaviour, shape and size characteristics. A total of 87 adult lizard specimens collected from south-eastern Anatolia were used in this study. The results of ANOVA showed that all morphometric features exhibited a pattern in which males have larger size than females. According to principal component analysis insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PCA);, the first three factors explain 81.553% of the total variance. Differences in head size between sexes have been well-documented in lizards and are associated with male-male aggression which results in mating success. This kind of pattern is supported by this study. Additionally, the results showed that males have more femoral pores, which is a signalling mechanism for sexual selection, than females. In conclusion, it can be accepted that the species in the genus Apathya has a similar pattern in accordance with the larger male theory.
Keywords : Apathya cappadocica, lizard, sexual dimorphism, morphology