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3 July 2013 Dewlap Color Variation Based on Pterin and Carotenoid Pigments in Three Subspecies of Anolis jubar of the Cuban Southern Coast
Yasel U. Alfonso, Humberto J. Morris, Adrián Gutiérrez, Lourdes Rodríguez-Schettino, Dennis Denis, John E. Steffen
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Abstract

Dewlap coloration of anoles is diverse and both carotenoid and pterin pigments play a role in generating this color variation. In the present study, we examined the carotenoid and pterin concentrations responsible for generating color variability in the proximal, central, and marginal dewlap sections in three subspecies of Anolis jubar of the Cuban southern coast (A. j. oriens, A. j. maisiensis, and A. j. albertschwartzi). With the exception of pterins—likely drosopterins—(entirely absent in A. j. albertschwartzi and in the scales proximal to the dewlap base in the three subspecies), the dewlap colors were produced by the combination of the two pigment classes. Carotenoid levels differed by section in A. j. oriens and A. j. maisiensis, being highest in the central section of dewlap. Anolis j. oriens had higher pterin concentration than A. j. maisiensis in both central and marginal sections. Carotenoid concentrations were significantly higher than pterin concentrations, excepting the central section of A. j. oriens, in which no significant differences were found between pigments. Our findings demonstrate subspecies-level variation in dewlap pigmentation in Cuban A. jubar and have implications for cellular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic variation.

2013 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Yasel U. Alfonso, Humberto J. Morris, Adrián Gutiérrez, Lourdes Rodríguez-Schettino, Dennis Denis, and John E. Steffen "Dewlap Color Variation Based on Pterin and Carotenoid Pigments in Three Subspecies of Anolis jubar of the Cuban Southern Coast," Copeia 2013(2), 201-205, (3 July 2013). https://doi.org/10.1643/CP-12-071
Received: 8 June 2012; Accepted: 1 November 2012; Published: 3 July 2013
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