Features that make lizards sexy are resilient to stress

Physical traits and behaviors that make a lizard sexy—features used to attract potential mates and fend off competitors—may be important enough that they do not change in the face of stress. A new study by researchers at Penn State reveals that the blue and black badges on the throats and abdomens of male fence lizards—and signaling behaviors used to show them off—are not affected by low levels of stress-associated hormones, unlike many other traits. A paper describing the results appears in the journal Scientific Reports.