No abstract

The present study sought to determine whether the defense mechanisms of termites influence the rate of consumption by lizards, and if that pattern differs between lizard species. Termites with different defense mechanisms (mechanical and chemical) were offered to two species of lizards from different lineages (Tropiduridae and Teiidae). We found that termites that used defensive chemicals were less likely to be eaten by lizards of both lineages. Our results indicate that lizards from both lineages are capable of selecting termites based on their defense mechanisms. As a result, there is no apparent direct link between the rate of termite consumption and their abundance in the ecosystem. Therefore, the use of stomach contents as a proxy to measure prey availability may render a bias estimation of termite abundance in the environment.