Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(1), P. 154 - 164

Published: Oct. 21, 2024

Abstract Animal signals are dynamic traits that can undergo considerable spatial and temporal changes influenced by factors such as age, health condition interactions with both the abiotic biotic environment. However, much of our understanding signal throughout an individual's lifetime stems from cross‐sectional, often laboratory‐based, studies focused on visual auditory signals. Longitudinal field investigations variation in chemical signals, especially vertebrates, remain rare despite communication being most ubiquitous form information exchange natural world. To remedy this, we conducted a unique, replicated experiment to study dynamics free‐living lizard populations islands. Specifically, collected scent marks individually marked lizards across five during spring two consecutive years analysed lipophilic composition these marks. Our findings demonstrate overall mark individual changed over time, shifting consistently direction magnitude year among individuals replicate populations. Similar patterns were observed for richness diversity Temporal relative proportions three potentially socially relevant signalling compounds revealed more complex pattern: α‐tocopherol remained stable oleic acid decreased change octadecanoic proportion was body size‐dependent. Together, results provide novel insights into how vertebrate may fluctuate space time. We discuss potential causes variability its consequences evolution. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский