當一個研究小組讓兩只雄赫爾曼龜彼此對峙時,，龜殼上黑斑多的那只更傾向于選擇戰(zhàn)斗（如上圖）,。研究小組在3月份出版的《動物行為》上報告說，為了搶走科學家給的一個蘋果,，那些生有大量斑塊的龜并不懼怕接近一個潛在的捕食者,，也就是人類。研究人員指出,，顏色與攻擊性可能與編碼這兩種特征的相同基因或基因組存在著遺傳學上的聯(lián)系,。或者,，更高含量的黑色素使得龜能夠長出更黑的殼斑，從而吸收額外的陽光以保持它們的體溫,，這可能讓它們有更多的能量來肆無忌憚地保衛(wèi)自己的領地,。（生物谷Bioon.com）

生物谷推薦原文出處：

Animal Behaviour  doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.025

Melanin-based coloration predicts aggressiveness and boldness in captive eastern Hermann’s tortoises

Alia Maflia, Kazumasa Wakamatsub, 1 and Alexandre Roulina,

Although body coloration is often used in social interactions, few studies have tested whether it is linked to a suite of behavioural traits. We examined whether among captive adult male eastern Hermann’s tortoises, Eurotestudo boettgeri, behavioural patterns covary with eumelanic coloration of the shell. Dark eumelanic males were more aggressive in male–male confrontations and bolder towards humans. These relationships were independent of body size and ambient temperature. Activity level and exploration were not significantly associated with coloration. We conclude that, at least in captivity, melanic shell coloration predicts agonistic behaviour towards conspecifics and fearfulness towards humans (i.e. boldness).

Keywords: activity; aggressiveness; behavioural syndrome; boldness; coloration; Eurotestudo boettgeri; exploration; melanin; personality; tortoise