Dimorfismo sexual morfométrico en una población de Cercosaura parkeri (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae)

Resumo

Sexual morphometric dimorphism was analyzed in Cercosaura parkeri. Males exhibited significantly larger values in all head-related measurements (width, length, and height), as well as in neck width and length of the neck and in radio-cubit length. These traits may be associated with increased bite force, potentially used during male–male combat and copulatory behavior. Although cephalic differences are often linked to dietary divergence between sexes—thereby reducing intersexual competition—this aspect was not assessed in the present study. Males showed a higher number of femoral pores, which suggests that they may ‘invest’ in chemical signaling to become more attractive to females, to indicate their presence in a territory, and/or to inform other males about their status and competitive ability. In contrast, females exhibited greater trunk length compared to males, which may provide increased abdominal space for carrying larger eggs. No significant sexual differences were observed in snout–vent length, limb measurements (forelimbs and hindlimbs), or tail length.