Ecomorphological correlates of habitat partitioning in Corsican lacertid lizards

1. Morphological features (i.e. snout-vent length, SVL, mass and limb param eters), locomotor performance (sprint speed, climbing speed, manoeuvrabilit y and endurance) and microhabitat use were measured in three lacertid lizar d species. Additionally, microhabitat preference was tested in the laborato ry with species kept apart and in combination with each other to assess mut ual interference. 2, It was predicted that each species possesses morphological adaptations t hat allow it to excel in those performance measures relevant in its particu lar microhabitat. 3, The three species differed in microhabitat use. Lacerta bedriagae was mo stly seen on boulders, while Podarcis sicula occurred among vegetation. Pod arcis tiliguerta seemed more general in its microhabitat use. The results f rom the microhabitat preference in the laboratory corresponded well to thes e field observations. 4. Besides differing in SVL, the three species differed in limb length and diameter, and body mass tall relative to SVL). L. bedriagae has long foreli mbs, short hindlimbs and a high body mass, while P. sicula has short foreli mbs, long hindlimbs and a low body mass. P. tiliguerta is morphologically i ntermediate. 5. The differences found in morphology translated partially into performanc e differences. Only climbing speed and endurance differed among species. L. bedriagae excelled in both cases. Considering its microhabitat use, this s eemed adaptive. 6, Unexpectedly, the interference experiments suggested that L. bedriagae i s the least competitive of the three species.