THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON PATTERNS OF TERMITE EATING IN AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS AND LIZARDS

The present paper examines patterns of termite eating in Australian ma mmals and lizards (total numbers of species, volume percentage of diet ) relative to climate (arid, semi-arid, temperate-mesic). Most termite eaters in arid and semi-arid Australia are lizards. Termite consumpti on as a proportion of total lizard diet decreases from arid to mesic c limates. More mammal species are relatively termite specialized (> 50% ) in arid than in semi-arid and mesic regions. Termite consumption in echidnas resembles that of the lizards: relatively high in the arid an d relatively low in the mesic zone. For the Dasyuridae, termites compr ise only a minor fraction (< 10%) in their diet, irrespective of clima te. It is argued that the climatic peculiarities of inland Australia ( scant and variable rainfall) cause marked seasonality in termite avail ability, supporting specialized termite eaters in only the most energy -frugal forms (lizards, echidnas). Areas of future research are identi fied.