Sexual Signaling in Male Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Pygerythrus); Influences of Hormones, Behaviour, and Parasitism on Scrotal and Penile Skin Colouration

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dc.contributor.advisorSchoof, Valerie
dc.contributor.authorSnyder, Karin Patricia
dc.date.accessioned2021-03-08T17:24:56Z
dc.date.available2021-03-08T17:24:56Z
dc.date.copyright2020-12
dc.date.issued2021-03-08
dc.date.updated2021-03-08T17:24:56Z
dc.degree.disciplineBiology
dc.degree.levelMaster's
dc.degree.nameMSc - Master of Science
dc.description.abstractMale secondary sexual characteristics may convey information about the signaller. The red penis and blue scrotum of male vervet monkeys make them a good species to examine variation in signal expression. We quantified colour in vervets at Lake Nabugabo, Uganda from standardized photos. We hypothesized that inter- and intra-individual variation in the expression of the genital colour of males is influenced by parasites, dominance rank, age, androgens and glucocorticoids. Our results indicate that blue scrotal colour between males is predicted by rank and parasites, and red penis colour is predicted by age (or sexual maturity) and parasites. Within males, our findings indicate that short-term variation in blue scrotal colour characteristics and contrast are negatively correlated with measures of parasitism and red penis hue becomes redder (less pink) as males increase in rank. These findings support the Hamilton-Zuk hypothesis and suggest that vervet genitals are a badge of status symbol.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10315/38201
dc.languageen
dc.rightsAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.
dc.subjectAnimal behavior
dc.subject.keywordsPrimate
dc.subject.keywordsSexual signalling
dc.subject.keywordsReproductive behaviour
dc.subject.keywordsBehavioural ecology
dc.subject.keywordsGastrointestinal parasites
dc.subject.keywordsDominance
dc.subject.keywordsColour
dc.subject.keywordsVervet monkey
dc.subject.keywordsBehaviour
dc.subject.keywordsAnimal communication
dc.titleSexual Signaling in Male Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Pygerythrus); Influences of Hormones, Behaviour, and Parasitism on Scrotal and Penile Skin Colouration
dc.typeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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