Thermal melanism in ectotherms

By S. C. Trullas, J. H. Wyk, J. Spotila. 2007

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The lizard Psammodromus algirus (Squamata: Lacertidae) is darker at high altitudes (2014, methodology): “Consequently, darker individuals have thermal advantages under cold conditions, implying shorter periods of thermoregulation and increasing time available for other activities, which increases success in feeding opportunities, mates, defending territories and in escaping from predators (Clusella-Tru”
Melanin-based coloration predicts aggressiveness and boldness in captive eastern Hermann’s tortoises (2011, background): “Consequently, darker individuals may have a higher fitness in colder and higher altitudinal regions than lighter coloured individuals (Trullas et al. 2007).”
Ant assemblages have darker and larger members in cold environments (2016, positive): “The thermal melanism hypothesis is based on this basic biophysical principle, predicting that darker individuals should predominate in low-temperature environments because they will have a higher fitness (Clusella-Trullas et al., 2007).”