Seasonal changes in the thermal environment do not affect microhabitat selection by Psammodromus algirus lizards

Authors: Díaz, José A.; Cabezas-Díaz, Sara; Salvador, Alfredo

Source: The Herpetological Journal, Volume 15, Number 4, October 2005 , pp. 295-298(4)

Publisher: British Herpetological Society

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Abstract:

We studied the thermal consequences of microhabitat selection by Psammodromus algirus lizards by combining data on the frequency of use and relative availability of three different types of microhabitats, with information about the environmental operative temperatures, and their deviations from the lizards' selected thermal range, available in these microhabitats. In both seasons, lizards preferred holm oak shrubs and avoided rockrose shrubs and open areas. However, the thermal suitability of holm oaks was highest in July but lowest in May. We suggest that microhabitat preferences were more related to other aspects of lizard ecology (e.g. antipredator behaviour) than to thermal requirements.

Keywords: LIZARD; OPERATIVE TEMPERATURES; PREDATION RISK; THERMOREGULATION

Document Type: Short communication

Publication date: 2005-10-01

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The Herpetological Journal is an international scientific journal that publishes papers on the natural history of amphibians and reptiles. Experimental, observational and theoretical studies are published along with reviews and book reviews. Faunistic lists, letters and results of general surveys are not published unless they shed light on herpetological problems of wider significance.
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