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

Citation
J. Vanderwinden et al., HABITAT RELATED DISRUPTIVE PATTERN DISTRIBUTION IN THE POLYMORPHIC LIZARD MABUYA-VITTATA, Acta oecologica, 16(4), 1995, pp. 423-430
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Ecology
Journal title
ISSN journal
1146609X
Volume
16
Issue
4
Year of publication
1995
Pages
423 - 430
Database
ISI
SICI code
1146-609X(1995)16:4<423:HRDPDI>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
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.