If you performed an experiment with one of these species and painted over the blue patch with red color in male 1 and then placed male 2 (with a normal blue patch) in the same enclosure, what might you expect to see?

Question

Many species of lizards have colored patches of scales along the side of the body. In some species, males have blue patches that function as releasers for territorial behavior and females have red patches that function as releasers for courtship behavior.

HIX Tutor · Accepted Answer

undefined If you painted red over male 1's blue patch and put him with male 2 (with a normal blue patch), you might see male 2 not recognizing male 1 as the same species since male 1's patch is now red instead of blue.

Victoria Angeli · Answer

Probably a big fight, with one very confused male lizard!

The 'normal' male would approach the modified male, believing it to be a female, in the event that the color is the trigger; however, the modified male would only perceive a 'trespassing' male and would defend its territory. As a result, the altered male would be behaving normally, and the natural male would be perplexed as to why a "female" that was actively seeking a partner was attacking it whenever it got close.

Natalie Ahrens · Answer

undefined In this scenario, if male 1's blue patch is painted over with red color and male 2 (with a normal blue patch) is placed in the same enclosure, you might expect to see male 2 showing dominance over male 1 due to the intact blue patch, potentially leading to aggression or territorial behavior from male 2 towards male 1.