HABITAT SELECTION AND THERMAL ECOLOGY OF THE SYMPATRIC LIZARDS PODARCIS-MURALIS AND PODARCIS-HISPANICA IN A MOUNTAIN REGION OF CENTRAL SPAIN

We studied habitat selection, field body temperatures (TB) and activit y cycles in sympatric populations of the lacertid lizards Podarcis mur alis and Podarcis hispanica in a mountain area in Central Spain. Diffe rent patterns of habitat selection for the two species were found: P. muralis occupies N and NW facing talus sites, while P. hispanica shows a less habitat-specific distribution at the study site. Inter- and in traspecific differences in TBs were found, while thermoregulatory prec ision analyses showed differences between adult male and female P. mur alis. Hypotheses based on activity cycles, habitat selection and baski ng behaviour are discussed to explain such results in two closely rela ted species.