MICROHABITAT SHIFTS OF LIZARDS UNDER DIFFERENT CONTEXTS OF SYMPATRY - A CASE-STUDY WITH SOUTH-AMERICAN LIOLAEMUS
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Date
1988
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Abstract
The Iguanid lizard Liolaemus tenuis is shown to be a rock and trunk dweller (apparently preferring perches between 0-30 cm height) in a central Chilean locality where it coexists with a single ground-dwelling congener. In its southern distributional ranges L. tenuis is sympatric with another tree-dweller, L. pictus. Habitat shift is demonstrated in this latter case by L. tenuis concentrating on tree trunks, and at modal heights 30-60 cm. Liolaemus pictus occupies lower (apparently more favorable) perches, actively interferring with its congener.