Differences induced by incubation temperature, versus androgen manipulation, in male leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

A fundamental tenet of sexual selection is that in sexually dimorphic traits, there is variation within a sex. In leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination, embryonic temperature contributes both to sex determination and polymorphisms within each sex. In this study we report that males from different incubation temperatures, one hitherto untested, exhibit significant differences in behavior even when castrated. Further, treatment with dihydrotestosterone increases scent marking, a territorial behavior. This supports previous results indicating that temperature has a direct organizing action on brain and sociosexual behavior independent of gonadal hormones.

► Temperature polymorphisms exist among castrated males in time spent with conspecifics.
► Castrated males from different incubation temperatures do not differ in scent marking.
► DHT treatment increases scent marking behavior in castrated males.