Perch choice and substrate matching to the dorsal patterns of Amphibolurus muricatus lizards

The patterns of lizards and backgrounds were analysed using QCPA tools
available in the MICA Toolbox. The csv files provided in this repository
represents the output from this analysis and includes cluster information,
edge information and the result of visual modelling (visual contrast
analysis, colour adjacency analysis and boundary strength
analysis.   The backgrounds that cryptic animals choose
will affect the efficacy of their camouflage. Most animals use a range of
microhabitats consisting of a variety of substrates, vegetation and
lighting conditions. As some of these will be better suited to
facilitating camouflage than others, we expect cryptic animals to consider
their conspicuousness when choosing a background to occupy. If the
availability of backgrounds varies between populations of cryptic animals,
then selective pressure on their colouration may also vary, resulting in
intraspecific variation and presumably animals being better suited to the
backgrounds locally available to them than those at other locations. In
this study we investigate how backgrounds available to Jacky dragons
(Amphibolurus muricatus) vary across their range, whether these lizards
are occupying backgrounds that match well to their dorsal patterns, and
how backgrounds compare to their dorsal patterns. Wild lizards were
located and photographed along with the background they were found on, and
other options available nearby. We compared lizards and backgrounds within
their microhabitat as well as all backgrounds across all microhabitats. We
found that lizards were not occupying the backgrounds that best matched
their own patterns, that background options varied between locations, and
that lizards from certain locations were occupying backgrounds closer
matching to their own pattern than those from other locations. These
outcomes provide interesting insight into the variance of local factors
that influence the pattern phenotype, as well as how the relative need for
camouflage might vary and be balanced with other needs.