Data from: Alternative mating tactics in male chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) are evident in both long-term body color and short-term courtship pattern

Alternative mating tactics in males of various taxa are associated with body color, body size, and social status. Chameleons are known for their ability to change body color following immediate environmental or social stimuli. In this study, we examined whether the differential appearance of male common chameleon during the breeding season is indeed an expression of alternative mating tactics. We documented body color of males and used computer vision techniques to classify images of individuals into discrete color patterns associated with seasons, individual characteristics, and social contexts. Our findings revealed no differences in body color and color patterns among males during the non-breeding season. However, during the breeding season males appeared in several color displays, which reflected body size, social status, and behavioral patterns. Furthermore, smaller and younger males resembled the appearance of small females. Consequently, we suggest that long-term color change in males during the breeding season reflects male alternative mating tactics. Upon encounter with a receptive female, males rapidly alter their appearance to that of a specific brief courtship display, which reflects their social status. The females, however, copulated indiscriminately in respect to male color patterns. Thus, we suggest that the differential color patterns displayed by males during the breeding season are largely aimed at inter-male signaling.

不同类群雄性个体的替代性交配策略，与其体色、体型及社会地位密切相关。变色龙以其能根据即时环境或社会刺激改变体色的能力而闻名。本研究旨在探究繁殖季节雄性普通变色龙的差异化外观，是否确实为替代性交配策略的体现。我们记录了雄性个体的体色，并利用计算机视觉技术，将个体图像划分为与季节、个体特征及社会情境相关的离散体色模式。研究结果显示，非繁殖季节的雄性个体间，体色及体色模式并无显著差异。但在繁殖季节，雄性会呈现多种体色展示模式，这些模式与其体型、社会地位及行为模式相匹配。此外，体型更小、年龄更轻的雄性，其外观与小型雌性相似。因此，我们认为雄性在繁殖季节的长期体色变化，体现了其替代性交配策略。当遭遇可交配的雌性时，雄性会快速将外观转变为特定的短暂求偶展示模式，这一模式反映了其社会地位。但雌性个体的交配行为并不受雄性体色模式的影响，呈现随机交配的特点。因此，我们认为雄性在繁殖季节呈现的差异化体色模式，主要用于雄性间的信号传递。