TREE AND SUBSTRATE SELECTION IN THE SEMIARBOREAL SCINCID LIZARD EUMECES-LATICEPS

Broad-headed skinks occupied a range of substrates during the daily ac tivity period. Although they foraged and engaged in social behaviour o n the ground, two-thirds of individuals were initially observed on tre es and other vertical surfaces. In using both trees and ground as site s for foraging and social activities, these skinks are similar in micr ohabitat use to trunk-ground anoles. Substrate occupation differed sig nificantly between adults and juveniles, adults occurring more frequen tly on oaks and ground, juveniles on walls, pine trees, and palmettos. Adult males and females had substantially, but not quite significantl y different substrate distributions. The lizards occupied oak trees mu ch more frequently than expected by chance, strongly preferring them t o palmettos and pines. There is some evidence that they may actively a void pines. No significant differences were detected in perch height a mong age and sex categories during the daily activity period, but samp le sizes were small and differences might occur at other times of day or in other seasons.