Individual variation in preferred body temperature covaries with social behaviours and colour in male lizards

Abstract

1. I tested if individual variation in preferred body temperature (PBT) covaried with behaviours and male phenotypic traits (size and colouration) in Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii. 2. Individuals varied in their PBT and this variation was repeatable across days. PBT was not related to body size but males with orange ventral colour had higher PBT. 3. Males with orange ventral colour were more aggressive and dominated males with white venters. 4. Male behaviours were correlated and they covaried with PBT. Correlated behaviours such as these may be related to a shy-bold continuum.