Defensive behavior as an escape strategy in four species of Gallotia (Sauria, Lacertidae) from the Canary Islands (Spain)

We studied the occurrence of threat display as a defensive behavior at diff erent temperatures in two large-sized (Gallotia simonyi and Gallotia stehli ni) and two small-sized (Gallotia atlantica and Gallotia caesaris) lacertid s from the Canary Islands, Lizards were chased on a linear track at five te mperatures (24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 C), Only adult individuals of the two la rge-sized species sporadically adopted the threat display, and G. stehlini used the display more often than did G. simonyi. Among these, there was no clear pattern of relationship between temperature and probability of displa y nor differences between sexes.