Podarcis lilfordi from the Balearic islands as a potential disperser of the rare Mediterranean plant Withania frutescens

This study examines whether the lizard Podarcis lilfordi is a legitimate di sperser of the rare Mediterranean plant Withania frutescens by using the bi ochemical test of triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride for testing seed viabil ity. This lizard eats the fresh fruits of the plants and defecates intact s eeds which have been retained 1 to 3 d in their gut. Viability of seeds rec overed from faeces was very high and comparable to the viability of fresh s eeds. Seed dispersal by this lizard in the Balearic islands may facilitate population expansion of this rare plant in the Balearics. (C) Elsevier, Par is.