Abstract Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most dominant terrestrial organisms
worldwide. They are hugely abundant, both in terms of sheer numbers and biomass, on …

Gloger's rule is an ecogeographical rule that links animal colouration with climatic variation.
This rule is named after CWL Gloger who was one of the first to summarise the associations …

Mammalian colors and color patterns are some of the most diverse and conspicuous traits
found in nature and have been widely studied from genetic/developmental and evolutionary …

Animals tend to decrease in body size (Bergmann's rule) and elongate appendages (Allen's
rule) in warm climates. However, it is unknown whether these patterns depend on each …

Organismal appearances are shaped by selection from both biotic and abiotic drivers. For
example, Gloger's rule describes the pervasive pattern that more pigmented populations are …

Melanin is the most widespread pigment in organisms. Melanin-based coloration has been
repeatedly observed to be associated with the same traits and in the same direction in …

Ecogeographical rules that associate climate with organismal form and function can reveal
patterns of climatic adaptation. Two rules link animal coloration with climate: Gloger's rule …

Biological rules describe general morphological, structural and genetic patterns within and
across species. Within these, ecogeographical rules correlate phenotypic variation of …

Animal pigmentation has evolved because of several adaptive functions. In the case of
pigmentation produced by melanins, the most common pigments in animals, the main …

Aim The investigation of phenotypic diversity across geographical gradients is pivotal to
understanding the evolution and adaptive functions of alternative phenotypes. The aim of …