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.不同类群雄性的替代性交配策略（alternative mating tactics），与其体色、体型及社会地位密切相关。变色龙以其可随即时环境或社会刺激快速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体表表现，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，并借助计算机视觉（computer vision）技术，将个体图像归类为与季节、个体特征及社会环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直接相关。此外，体型更小、年龄更轻的雄性，其体表外观与小型雌性相似。据此我们认为，繁殖季节雄性的长期性体色变化，正是其替代性交配策略的体现。当遭遇接受交配的雌性时，雄性会迅速将体表转变为特定的简短求偶展示模式，该模式可反映其社会地位。但雌性个体在交配时，并不会对雄性的体色模式进行选择。因此我们认为，繁殖季节雄性所展现的差异化体色模式，其主要功能是用于雄性间的信号传递。