Data from: Cumulative frequency-dependent selective episodes allow for rapid morph cycles and rock-paper-scissors dynamics in species with overlapping generations

Rock-paper-scissors (RPS) dynamics, which maintain genetic polymorphisms
over time through negative frequency-dependent (FD) selection, can evolve
in short-lived species with no generational overlap, where they produce
rapid morph frequency cycles. However, most species have overlapping
generations and thus, rapid RPS dynamics are thought to require stronger
FD selection, the existence of which yet needs to be proved. Here, we
experimentally demonstrate that two cumulative selective episodes, FD
sexual selection reinforced by FD selection on offspring survival,
generate sufficiently strong selection to generate rapid morph frequency
cycles in the European common lizard Zootoca vivipara, a multi-annual
species with major generational overlap. These findings show that the
conditions required for the evolution of RPS games are fulfilled by almost
all species exhibiting genetic polymorphisms and suggest that RPS games
may be responsible for the maintenance of genetic diversity in a wide
range of species.