HABITAT RELATED DISRUPTIVE PATTERN DISTRIBUTION IN THE POLYMORPHIC LIZARD MABUYA-VITTATA

Mabuya vittata is a highly polymorphic diurnal lizard, occurring in hi gh densities (20-160/ha) in the Goksu Delta in southeastern Turkey. Tw o dorsal pattern types were distinguished, uniform or effectively unif orm and striped. In the hills and dunes 93% (n=311) of the adult anima ls was uniform and in the agricultural parts of the delta 73% (n=175) was striped. 74% (n=464) of M. vittata was found in the herb layer. In the hills and dunes the relative share of grasses is low in this laye r, in the agricultural area grasses have a high coverage. Strong corre lations were found between the striped pattern and high grass coverage , and between the uniform pattern and a low grass coverage, assuming d isruptive selection by visually hunting predators.