Adaptive spread of a sexually selected syndrome eliminates an ancient color polymorphism in wall lizards

Science 2026

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Authors: Tobias Uller, Nathalie Feiner, Roberto Sacchi, Marco A. L. Zuffi, Stefano Scali, Panayiotis Pafilis, Konstantinos Plavos, Javier Ábalos, Pedro Andrade, Prem Aguilar, Daniele Salvi, Geoffrey M. While
DOI: 10.1126/science.adx3708
Cited by: 4
References: 58

Abstract

Genetically determined color morphs are found in many animals. Polymorphism can be maintained by social selection if competitive interactions allow each morph to increase in frequency when rare. This reliance on negative frequency–dependent selection should make color polymorphism vulnerable to the appearance of novel phenotypes that disrupt competitive interactions among morphs. We show that the origin and adaptive spread of a sexually selected syndrome in common wall lizards ( Podarcis muralis ) selectively eliminates alleles coding for alternative color morphs that have been maintained for millions of years. The results demonstrate how the arrival of a novel phenotype can disrupt balancing selection, providing a link between rapid phenotypic evolution and the loss of color polymorphisms.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Animal Behavior and Reproduction Amphibian and Reptile Biology Evolution and Genetic Dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Volume
391
Issue
6780
Pages
64–68
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN