No preference for more colorful or showier males among female brown anoles

Abstract

Female choice is an important sexually selective agent shaping ornament evolution. We investigated brown anole female preferences by quantifying female temporal associations with tanks containing size-matched males that differed in dewlap color and behavioral display intensity during two reproductive seasons. We found that female temporal association with tanks was not associated with male’s dewlap color or display intensity in either summer. We also found no evidence that females associate with empty tanks, in either summer, as might be expected if females avoid harassment.