HABITAT SELECTION AND CONSERVATION OF AN ENDEMIC SPANISH LIZARD ALGYROIDES-MARCHI (REPTILIA, LACERTIDAE)

We study the habitat selection of Algyroides marchi, a small lizard en demic to the southeastern mountains of the Iberian Peninsula whose pop ulations are concentrated in a few small localities. Three spatial sca les of study were used to analyse the different factors affecting the species distribution patterns: regional scale, local scale and within- habitat use of different substrates. The results obtained at these dif ferent spatial scales showed a high consistency, suggesting that the s ame ecological pressures probably acted at different scales. Localitie s occupied by A. marchi were characterized by high altitude, high geom orphological complexity, northern aspect, high cover of large rocks, a nd presence of water. Density of A. marchi in a favourable locality wa s 213 adult-subadult lizards/ha. Abundance and use of space of A. marc hi (at local and individual levels) were directly associated with exte nt of water (streams and small pools) and the presence of large rocks, and inversely with hours of direct solar radiation and cover of small stones and vegetation. Considering the habitat selection of A. marchi and the management practices within its geographical range, potential risks for the conservation of the species are identified.