Selection of key features of vegetation and escape behavior in the Sand Dune Lizard (Liolaemus multimaculatus)

Abstract

Vegetation structure and cover are two of the main factors which determine microhabitat preferences in lizards. The Sand Dune Lizard (Liolaemus multimaculatus) is a vulnerable and endemic species of the pampean coastal habitats from Argentina. We hypothesized that: a) Sand Dune Lizard prefer to perch in microhabitats that offer a good balance between visibility and refuge, and; b) lizards prefer microhabitats in which plant types allow them to resort to sand burying behavior. We recorded data of microhabitat (bunch-grasses sizes and plant types) used by lizards (males, females and juveniles) in a population at the Mar Chiquita Provincial Nature Reserve. We applied the use-availability design to assess preferences. We evaluated differences between sex and relation between sizes of lizards. Lizards preferred bunch-grasses of intermediate size. Habitats conformed only by herbaceous species were the most preferred by lizards. We did not find differences between males and females, neither relations between size of lizards and the tested variables. Adult lizards of both sexes use bunch-grasses more frequently than juvenile individuals. The preferences for herbaceous species could be related to the sand-bury behavior that lizards use to escape from predators. More studies are necessary in order to assess the processes related with habitat preferences

Past and present taxonomy of theLiolaemus lineomaculatussection (Liolaemidae): is the morphological arrangement hypothesis valid?

“…Labra, , ; Labra & Leonard, ; Labra, Pienaar & Hansen, ; Ibargüengoytía et al ., ; Cruz et al ., ), behavioural ecology (e.g. Halloy & Laurent, ; Labra & Leonard, ; Kacoliris, Williams & Molinari, ; Kacoliris et al ., ), comparative anatomy (e.g. Pincheira‐Donoso, Tregenza & Hodgson, ; Tulli et al ., ; Tulli, Abdala & Cruz, ), and herbivory (e.g.…”

Walkway on coastal dunes negatively affects mobility of the spiny–footed lizard Acanthodactylus erythrurus

“…Muñoz-Vallés & Cambrollé (2014) observed how the building of a new walkway decreased the conservation status of the vegetation on the upper beach and foredune. The type of vegetation is an essential element for lizards inhabiting the dune systems (Vega et al, 2000), providing hunting sites (Kacoliris et al, 2010), thermal refuge, protection from predators, nesting sites, and visibility to conspecifics (Vega et al, 2000;Amat & Roig, 2001;Kacoliris et al, 2010). Several studies have found similar results and conclude that vegetation structure and cover are two of the main factors that affect habitat preferences of lizards (Seva & Escarre, 1980;Carretero, 1993;Carretero , 1997).…”

“…The construction of wooden walkways can also enable opportunistic species of fauna and flora to penetrate the area (Carretero, 1999). Several studies (Barrows & Allen, 2007;Kacoliris et al, 2010;Stellatelli et al, 2013aStellatelli et al, , 2013b show the negative effect of exotic plants and vegetation changes on the habitat of different lizard species.…”

An integrative multi-approach workflow resolves species limits in the southernmost members of theLiolaemus kingiigroup (Squamata: Liolaemini)

“…For this reason, this genus is increasingly being employed as a study model in numerous research areas such as evolution of herbivory, parity modes, community structure, comparative anatomy, physiology, behavioral ecology, and conservation (e.g. Espinoza et al, 2004;Tulli et al, 2009;Ibargüengoytía et al, 2010;Kacoliris et al, 2010;Corbalán et al, 2011;Kacoliris et al, 2011;Labra, 2011;Tulli et al, 2011).…”