Par Kate MARSHALL, Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii) exhibit striking colour divergence among varying island environments, and my PhD has explored why this variation has arisen. In this talk, I will present recent results from digital imaging and visual modelling showing that P. erhardii are conspicuous to conspecifics while simultaneously reducing detection by major avian predators, and that this differs among varying environments. We will discuss how the competing demands of camouflage and sexual signalling are reconciled by interactions between natural and sexual selection, and how this may contribute to diversification among populations of the same species.