Abstract
Stressful conditions inhibit reproductive function. For example, ovarian recrudescence is slower in captive and crowded lizards, and the presence of a dominant individual inhibits reproductive activity in subordinate male lizards. However, individuals so not necessarily respond to stressors equally. This study investigated the role of social stresses on reproductive function in female Anolis carolinensis. Groups of five females were placed with a male for 1 month in 25 × 25 × 25 cm aquaria under temperature and light conditions that stimulate reproduction (14L 32°C:10D20°C). Single females sacrificed prior to treatment with simulatory temperature and light regimens, but following acclimation to cages (as initial control, without male present) showed no ovarian recrudescence. Females placed on per cage with individual males (as final control) had significant ovarian growth yielding large yolking follicles when exposed to stimulatory temperature and light. In multi‐female groups two or fewer females per group had significant ovarian recrudescence. These females also had large yolking follicles, significant uterine growth, and always weighed 2. 7 g or more. Any female in a group weighing less than 2.7 g, regardless of the number of actively cycling females in the cage, had quiescent ovaries. Chromatic and behavioral characteristics of reproductively dominant females are not similar to those of dominant males. Dominant males are significantly more often green than brown. Females with cycling ovaries are significantly more often brown. Females which are successful in maintaining ovarian functioning even in crowded conditions acquire this morphological characteristic usually associated with subordinate status in males, which may facilitate courtship behavior. These results suggest that density‐dependent and/or psychosocial stressors inhibit reproductive cycling in this species. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.