@karooicus @botswanabugs @dinofelis @grant_reed_botswana @chris_whitehouse @joctober @bluehillescape @ryanvanhuyssteen @tom-kirschey @b_akeret @ivanparr @tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore @alexanderr @tyroneping @herping_with_berks @herping_with_sean @peter_erb @m_burger @asimakis_patitsas @max_tibby @grahamarmstrong @rfoster @snakesrcool @calebcam @colin25 @cthawley @agama-girl @johannesvanrooyen @ludwig_muller @karoopixie @alexdreyer @i_c_riddell @ptexis @cr_hundermark @dhfischer @wesselpretorius @richardgill @felix_riegel @vynbos @shauns @riana60
Please see https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/86639-male-and-female-phenotypes-of-the-southern-rock-agama#
The southern rock agama (Agama atra) presents an unusual opportunity - and a considerable challenge - for an illustrated Post.
This is because it combines
Chameleons (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chameleon) are the Iguania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguanomorpha) taken to epitomise the versatility of colouration in lizards. However, an argument can be made that the southern rock agama - belonging to the same suborder - is an equally good example of similar phenomena.
The southern rock agama can be
More broadly, scrolling through the thousands of photos in iNaturalist gives a kaleidoscopic impression, rather than one of a single species.
AIMS
There is no particular problem identifying Agama atra, because it is the only rock-dwelling agamid over most of South Africa.
However, it is another matter to understand why this species has such an inconsistent appearance.
So, my aim in this Post is to tease apart various factors contributing to the confusing colouration of this lizard.
METHODS
I have carefully chosen illustrations from the innumerable available on the Web, in an attempt to disentangle the various factors in the colouration.
I restrict the coverage to
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
There seem to be six main factors combining to determine the appearance of the southern rock agama, viz.
These six factors result, respectively, in the following approximate results:
BASKING
The whole figure is darkened, to the point of conspicuousness.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189979385
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151220981
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148808808
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143339975
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142361930
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/137461357
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133750353
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129252633
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108127353
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99271711
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97456305
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92893591
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91614283
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61149294
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11037337
The following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183891676) may possibly be a case of darkening while basking, but it is ambivalent because of masculine advertisement (note that the vertebral stripe remains strikingly pale).
Conversely, the whole figure can show pallor to the point of conspicuousness, presumably in reaction to overheating.
Infants:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56296497
Juveniles:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140971098
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/152917147
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140527024
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160779798
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160088637
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105713060
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101331065
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144260871
Adult females:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66815664
Adult males:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144773939
FULL CAMOUFLAGE
Infants:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104927554
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178213828
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107939539
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106423715
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77415645
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11201198
Juveniles (sex unknown):
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189834985
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/190401856
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184233155
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143626898
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141807682
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140359983
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135228293
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134083950
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109144536
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106978716
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106068094
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99779395
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99090876
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66135305
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39583476
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80725769
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/145117332
Adult females (most camouflaged when not in breeding condition):
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/94229299
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/145090147
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101458977
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143257145
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102723755
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181591198
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105161873
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105098356
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104589845
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105950128
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105762468
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139538304
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106175608
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105500801
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99653069
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76897806
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59793234
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11345063
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10942583
Adult males (camouflaged only when not in breeding condition, and generally less likely than females to be camouflaged):
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80509867
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95245809
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96783628
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105032446
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105211330
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104565190
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182312800
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146044256
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77415641
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76701722
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65034274
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40828892
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33325519
INDIVIDUAL/TEMPORARY VARIATION IN MOTTLING (with a sexual difference that hypothetically begins in small juveniles)
Juvenile females?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102022282
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/113484074
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186663137
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182428772
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/179035054
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153667784
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146344391
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144145227
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/137654137
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61072158
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20160000
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11119536
Juvenile males?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10937019
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185887296
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106068094
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134619754
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178858568
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/158040076
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150670850
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142865290
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142591703
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62047147
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99026500
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105977181
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125577342
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37635983
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36880256
The following individual adult males (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135228134 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122286005) are unusual in retaining mottling on the torso, at an age/stage when the head is already capable of full expression of blue.
Does the pattern of mottling on these juvenile individuals (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42741986 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42388255) indicate female?
INDIVIDUAL/TEMPORARY VARIATION IN PALE VERTEBRAL STRIPE (a feature conspicuous only in males)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135278580
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/157098426
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156405081
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148914255
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147757992
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146445339
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/154813177
extending on to tail https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61882478 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59758406
FEMALE AS OPPOSED TO MALE
Females in non-breeding condition:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146099365
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143438639
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106260951
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102831109
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99207138
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39196901
Males in non-breeding condition:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105146336
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120946097
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133862559
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116955657
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116857050
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106242148
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103578843
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102757648
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97327706
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95685130
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76110533
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/74914638
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63969785
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61287210
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40517363
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96370988
The following show that, already in juvenile males,
BREEDING CONDITION
Also please see other recent Posts, including https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/86639-male-and-female-phenotypes-of-the-southern-rock-agama#
Femininity:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146468039
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173465276
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173464815
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153329519
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/105045352
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100586010
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37026553
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103460893
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103422833
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173465276
The following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60995709) shows that feminine colouration (and presumably sexual maturity) arrives in what seems to be large juveniles, long before complete body size is attained.
Masculinity:
Blue:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143569591
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143201236
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92462817
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65073430
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52145437 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52145427
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51831677
Turquoise :
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/113189424
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134023368
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103537772
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58128869
The following (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-southern-rock-agama-lizard-table-mountain-national-park-cape-town-south-africa-image86551322 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115899303 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71960640) show that bluish hues start to appear in juveniles.
Perhaps the part of the body most individually variable in colouration in masculinity is the tail (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100862807).
EMOTION
Dimming of bright hues:
Females:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102223286
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/190468068
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189509923
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173287949
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129860347
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59114886
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58128871
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45279980
Males:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103414164
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101324816
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102981074
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62039159
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38634177
to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/86775-a-photo-guide-to-the-bewilderingly-complex-colouration-of-the-south-african-rock-dwelling-agamid-agama-atra-part-2-discussion#...
Comments
INFANTS:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146466457
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144924413
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143425490
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-lizard-fly-image15875608
https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/717641
TEST FOR READERS #1
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139151718
TEST FOR READERS #2
Female or male?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139566590
TEST FOR READERS #3
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140526591
TEST FOR READERS #4
Breeding condition or not?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/138290934
TEST FOR READERS #5
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/138286762
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/136566833
UNUSUAL PHOTO OF FEMALE AND MALE TOGETHER
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/136050939
TEST FOR READERS #6
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134390852
TEST FOR READERS #7
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134046343
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133091155
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131930818
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129865433
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125250666
Female in breeding condition, but retaining a capacity for camouflage:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123859625
Why do these two individual males differ in colouration?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112422015
TEST FOR READERS #8
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109768293
The following show the transition from camouflaged juvenile to conspicuous adult, on the same substrate:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107278646
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107278635
@johannesvanrooyen
CORRECTION
Here is evidence that adult females can have a dark torso, after all.
Female:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106257510
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63758365
Male:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106257509
TEST FOR READERS #9
Immature or mature?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103419133
TEST FOR READERS #10
Breeding condition or not?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103002884
TEST FOR READERS #11
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100853846
In Agama atra, the pale vertebral stripe is a) one of the most sexually dimorphic features, b) often a conspicuous feature in mature males (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66374093), but never a conspicuous feature in females, even in breeding condition, and c) never more prominent in females than in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34070094 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99302915 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75149459 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66842668?
Juvenile female, already showing yellowish abdomen:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98463157
TEST FOR READERS #12
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97376770
@johannesvanrooyen
Is it really possible that a given individual female of Agama atra can change from this (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91255172 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77732937) to this (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153329519), within a single year?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90244936
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/79897693
TEST FOR READERS #13
Juvenile or adult?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88765446
The following show that, in adult males, the tail - beyond its base- is laterally compressed, somewhat like a knife-blade oriented as if to cut the substrate:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86474850
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36880256
One of the puzzling variants of masculine colouration:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86045752
TEST FOR READERS #14
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84421616
@johannesvanrooyen
Would Agama atra ever have this appearance
(https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66866870) in Namibia?
TEST FOR READERS #15
Juvenile or adult?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65847331
TEST FOR READERS #16
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63949569
Females in breeding condition:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61772443
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61032132
The following shows that the yellowish hue on the torso of females (in this case juvenile) does not lose its chroma in death:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61457200
TEST FOR READERS #17
Juvenile or adult?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57223625
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55198614
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43289715
A remarkable illustration of camouflage in Agama atra:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41626481
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156509003
Adult females:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37622476
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37622469
The following photos are unusual in that) female and male are shown together, in breeding condition, and b) in one case, the female individual shows a conspicuous pale vertebral stripe:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10954776
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37109579
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9481441
Also see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9247148
https://researchmatters.in/news/decoding-flashy-colours-and-head-bobs-male-agamas
@johannesvanrooyen
Can you spot any errors in this Post?
Has any reader observed this colouration in the Western Cape?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32055260
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31668875
TEST FOR READERS #18
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9977096
TEST FOR READERS #19
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11191262
TEST FOR READERS #20
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11110502
TEST FOR READERS #21
Female or male?:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10807376
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