FACULTATIVE FRUGIVORY IN THE CAPE FLAT LIZARD, PLATYSAURUS-CAPENSIS (SAURIA, CORDYLIDAE)

Platysaurus capensis is an omnivorous lizard that feeds on Namaqua fgs (Ficus cordata) when they are available. We studied fg-feeding-behavi or of male, female, and juvenile lizards at Augrabies Falls National P ark, South Africa. Figs were available in three discrete classes depen ding on their state of hydration/ripeness. Focal sampling and feeding trials were used to quantify fig handling and feeding behavior. Adult I! capensis usually ate the entire fig, but handling times were signif icantly shorter for males than females. Adults frequently used the roc k substrate to break figs, whereas juveniles could only eat figs alrea dy broken. (Figs were often broken open by birds and other lizards.) J uveniles usually ate only part of each fig, often just the seeds. Juve niles also used a head-shaking behavior rarely seen in adults, to brea k off manageable pieces of figs. Platysaurus capensis recognized figs away from fig trees, indicating a flexible recognition ability. During foraging in debris, lizards stayed close to exposed rock. Interferenc e competition between lizards was strong resulting in individuals runn ing to areas free of other lizards to avoid harassment during feeding. Adults were more likely to approach feeding lizards than juveniles. L izards also exhibited a strong sensory bias for moving objects, select ing moving unripe (inedible) bg over stationary ripe fig. Adult lizard s chose large ripe fgs over two classes of older, more desiccated figs ; ripe figs were consumed disproportionately to their availability. Ex periments using paint-manipulated ripe and unripe figs showed that, wh en size is controlled, lizards use color and/or brightness as an initi al indicator of fig quality. Visual evaluation was often followed by t ongue-flicking or nudging with the snout. This study represents the fi rst detailed examination of feeding behavior in a cordylid lizard.