Data from: Cumulative frequency-dependent selective episodes allow for rapid rock-paper-scissors games

Rock-paper-scissors dynamics, which maintain genetic polymorphisms over time through negative frequency-dependent 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 rock-paper-scissors dynamics are thought to require stronger frequency-dependent selection, the existence of which yet needs to be proven. Here we experimentally demonstrate that two cumulative selective episodes, frequency-dependent sexual selection reinforced by frequency-dependent 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 rock-paper-scissors games are fulfilled by almost all species, and suggests that rock-paper-scissors games may be responsible for the maintenance of genetic diversity in a wide range of species.