Role of Microlophus bivittatus body size in sexual selection : behavior analysis by lizard robot displays

A direct relationship between individual body size and reproductive success is a pattern that has been widely emphasized in multiple species. The proposed explanations for this prevalent pattern include both ecological and sexual selection, such as territory defense, mate attraction and consequent greater opportunities for mating...La relación directa entre el tamaño del individuo y su éxito reproductivo es un patrón que ha sido ampliamente enfatizado en múltiples especies. Las explicaciones propuestas a este patrón generalizado incluyen selección ecológica y selección sexual como la defensa del territorio, atracción de parejas y la consecuentes mayores oportunidades de apareamiento..

A new species of terrestrial frog Pristimantis (Strabomantidae) from the upper basin of the Pastaza River, Ecuador

We describe a new species of Pristimantis from the montane forest of the Río Zuñag Ecological Reserve, upper basin of the Pastaza River, Ecuador. Pristimantis mallii sp. n. is characterized by a snout-vent length of 11.6–21.3 mm in adult males (n = 12), 22.6–34.3 mm in adult females (n = 8), and is compared morphologically and genetically with Pristimantis miktos and with other relevant species of Pristimantis. The new species is characterized by having skin on dorsum and flanks shagreen, distinctive scapular folds, snout broadly rounded in dorsal view, upper eyelid bearing one or two subconical tubercles and some rounded tubercles, dorsum and flanks light brown to brown, with irregular dark brown marks bounded by dirty cream and groin with irregular yellowish marks

Go big or go home: Divergence in morphology and behavior between island and islet populations of the San Cristóbal lava lizard (\u3cem\u3eMicrolophus bivittatus\u3c/em\u3e)

Rapid divergence in body size is a well-documented phenomenon among island species, associated with macroevolutionary processes of diversification and adaptive radiation. The effect of insularity in determining larger body size as an optimal phenotype is primarily attributed to lower predation and greater intraspecific competition on islands. Our study examined interpopulation variation in morphology, social behavior and predator avoidance in Galápagos lava lizards endemic to San Cristóbal island (Microlophus bivittatus), and the nearby islet Isla Lobos. Islet populations have fewer competitors than those on the island, where native and introduced predators are abundant. We simulated interactions with predators and conspecifics by conducting stereotyped approaches and presentations of robotic models resembling males of equal and larger size. Arithmetic and geometric analyses of morphology describe islet males as larger than those in the island, with no significant variation in female size. Territorial displays were stronger towards larger robot models by islet males, and towards same-size robot models by island males. Female displays favored larger models in both locations. Predator avoidance was less pronounced on islet lizards, evidenced by shorter escape and flight distances than those of island lizards despite similar distance to refugia. Our results suggest that predation release, supported by strong male intrasexual selection, is a key component behind the evolution of divergent body sizes in this species

Beyond the species name: an analysis of publication trends and biases in taxonomic descriptions of rainfrogs (Amphibia, Strabomantidae, Pristimantis)

The rainfrogs of the genus Pristimantis are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates, with outstanding reproductive modes and strategies driving their success in colonizing new habitats. The rate of Pristimantis species discovered annually has increased continuously during the last 50 years, establishing the remarkable diversity found in this genus. In this paper the specifics of publications describing new species in the group are examined, including authorship, author gender, year, language, journal, scientific collections, and other details. Detailed information on the descriptions of 591 species of Pristimantis published to date (June 2022) were analyzed and extracted. John D. Lynch and William E. Duellman are the most prolific authors, yet Latin American researchers have scaled up and continued the description processes since the 1990s. The most common language used for descriptions is English, followed by Spanish. The great majority of authors have described only one species. The largest proportion of authors who have participated in the descriptions is of Ecuadorian nationality. Ecuador is the country with the highest description rate per year (3.9% growth rate). Only 20% of the contributions have included women and only 2% have featured women as principal authors. 36.8% of the species described are in the Not Evaluated or Data Deficient categories under the IUCN global red list. The importance of enhancing the descriptions in Spanish is emphasized and the inclusion based on equal access to opportunities for female researchers in Pristimantis taxonomy is encouraged. In general, if the current trends in Pristimantis descriptions continue, in ten years, a total of 770 or more species described could be expected