Spectra analysis reveals the sexual dichromatism of red-eared slider turtle(Trachemys scripta)

In this study,spectra analysis was conducted to investigate the sexual dichromatism and relationship between body color and quality of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). Visual modeling revealed that the differences of the hues of body colors' ultraviolet (UV) components between male and female were significant. Moreover, the visible(VIS)components of the hues of forelimbs were correlated with body qualities of male but not of female. Our results indicated that UV might act as a signal for sexual cognition in red-eared slider turtles, and female might evaluate male by the VIS components of the hues of forelimbs. These findings provided preliminary results and perspectives to the sexual dichromatism and sexual selection behaviors of red-eared slider turtles.