Origin and maintenance of color polymorphisms: An integrative approach combining Genomics, Behavior and a Population study

In this project, we will address the complex evolutionary dynamics underlying the maintenance of color morphs in populations by asking two questions: 1) what is the evolutionary origin of the polymorphism and 2) how are different morphs maintained within populations? To answer these questions we will focus on Podarcis muralis, a lizard species in which five discrete ventral color morphs occur, and take a holistic approach comprising: a) genomics (to identify the genetic basis of polymorphisms and test hypotheses about evolutionary reticulation and parallelism), b) behavioral experiments in semi-natural conditions (to investigate the function of colors as signaling alternative reproductive strategies), and c) a population level assessment of morph diversity (to address predictions about the relative role of sexual selection, natural selection, gene flow and drift in the maintenance of the polymorphism).