Vascularization underlies differences in sexually selected skin coloration in a wild primate

Male reproductive competition can select for condition-dependent, conspicuous traits that signal some aspect of fighting ability and facilitate assessment of potential rivals. However, the underlying mechanisms that link the signal to a male’s current condition are difficult to investigate in wild populations. In this study, we used digital photographs and chest skin samples to investigate mechanisms of a visual signal used in male competition in a wild primate, the red chest patch in geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. We analyzed photographs collected during natural and anesthetized conditions to understand variability in male and female chest redness, and we used chest skin biopsies to explore sex differences in gene expression. Male and female geladas showed similar average redness, but males exhibited a wider within-individual range in redness under natural conditions. These sex differences were reflected at the molecular level, with 10.5..., Please see the README document (\"README_Dataset-GeladaChestSkinTranscription_v0.1.0\") and the accompanying published article: DeLacey, P.M., Sen, S., Schneider-Crease, I.A., Chiou, K.L., Lemma, A., Ayele, F., Haile, A.A., Lu, A., Bergman, T.J., Beehner, J.C., Snyder-Mackler, N. Vascularization underlies differences in sexually selected skin coloration in a wild primate. Molecular Ecology. Accepted. DOI: 10.22541/au.167359516.63326414/v1 ,