Comparative ecology in sympatric<i>Podarcis muralis</i>and<i>P. sicula</i>(Reptilia: Lacertidae) from the historical centre of Rome: What about competition and niche segregation in an urban habitat?

Capula, Massimo; Luiselli, Luca; Rugiero, Lorenzo

doi:10.1080/11250009309355825

Cited by 35 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The differences between the two Podarcis species are more interesting because the two species have a similar body size. Although generally overlapping in terms of gross geographical distribution and body size, P. muralis and P. sicula present some definite ecological and evolutionary differences that seem to make them not sister species (Capula et al, 1993;Corti & Lo Cascio;Oliverio et al, 1998Oliverio et al, , 2000Harris et al, 2005;Arnold et al, 2007). As far as ecology, P. sicula is much more ground-dwelling than P. muralis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Head Morphology and Degree of Variation in Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula

Bruner

2009

Int. J. Morphol.

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SUMMARY:The morphology of cephalic scales in Lacertids is organised in well defined geometrical structures. The variation of these elements is related to the underlying bone growth and morphogenesis, but it is also associated with the muscular system and the sutural dynamics. In this paper, the patterns of variation of the cephalic scales have been compared between three common Mediterranean species: Podarcis muralis, Podarcis sicula and Lacerta bilineata. The morphospace generated by the morphological relationships within the cephalic system in these three species is investigated in order to consider their degree of variation and their anatomical peculiarities. Generally, Lacerta is 64% larger than Podarcis, shows a relative reduction of the frontal scale, enlarged fronto-parietal structures, and stretched occipital area. L. bilineata shows the smaller degree of variation within the shape space, while P. muralis shows the highest values. The morphology of the two genera is definitely different mostly because of allometric variation. Non-allometric distinctions between the three species are subtle but detectable. The degree and pattern of variation are interpreted in terms of possible environmental pressures and of functional cranial dynamics associated with the fronto-parietal suture, respectively. In this sense, the structural relationships between bones and scales are of particular interest to further investigate ontogeny and phylogeny in reptiles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Head Morphology and Degree of Variation in Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula

Bruner

2009

Int. J. Morphol.

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“…see : Pérez Mellado, 1982, 1983In den Bosch, 1986;Pascual Gonzales & Peréz Mellado, 1987;Pollo & Pérez Mellado, 1988;Capula et al, 1993;Capula & Luiselli, 1994b). The fact that a wide variety of arthropods was preyed upon seems to suggest some opportunism in green lizard foraging habits, although data on prey availability in the wild should be collected before advancing firm conclusions on this issue.…”

Section: Diet Of Green Lizardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food habits of the green lizard,Lacerta bilineata, in central Italy and a reliability test of faecal pellet analysis

Angelici¹,

Luiselli²,

Rugiero³

1997

Italian Journal of Zoology

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Food habits of the green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) were studied in some Mediterranean sites of the vicinities of Rome (Latium, central Italy), by means both of stomach dissection of individuals found already dead in the field and faeces analysis of living individuals. The taxonomic diet composition of the lizards was accurately described by both methods, thus demonstrating the reliability of faecal pellet analysis as an non-cruel method to study lizard diets. However, by using the faeces analysis technique, it is difficult to measure the exact food intake rate (items / unit of time) as well as the size distribution of prey ingested by lizards. There was a remarkable ontogenetic change in the taxonomic diet composition of green lizards: adults essentially consumed beetles and isopods, whereas juveniles fed mainly upon orthopterans, spiders, and Rhynchota. Cannibalism and predation upon small vertebrates (lizards) were very rare events. It is suggested that (i) age-related differences in microhabitat frequented could explain the dietary differences between young and adult lizards due to different availability of the various prey categories in the various microhabitats, and that (ii) adults and juveniles partition their habitats to reduce intraspecific interference competition.

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“…The sample numbers 66 P. muralis and 66 P. sicula, collected in the surrounding areas of Roma between 2000 and 2005, from 6 different areas. When occurring in the same regions, P. muralis is prevalently found in wet and wooded areas, while P. sicula prefers open and sunny areas (Capula et al, 1993). The sample includes both specimens photographed in the field and prey remains of Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus).…”

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confidence: 99%

Head morphological variation in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula: a landmark-based approach

Bruner

2007

Amphib Reptilia

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The geometry of the cephalic scales in lizards is easily represented by using landmark based approaches. The cephalic scales may prove useful structures in the investigation of the evolution and morphogenesis of lizards because of their biomechanical relationships with the underlying bones and muscular anatomy. In the present paper the head morphology in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula is compared by using geometric morphometrics and Euclidean distance matrix analysis. The head shape in these two species is largely influenced by a shared allometric pattern, with P. sicula displaying a reduced range of variation. This pattern is probably influenced by the cranial morphogenesis at the fronto-parietal suture, and by the parieto-occipital musculature involved in diet and social behaviours. Minor species-specific differences are evidenced, and should be further investigated.

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Comparative ecology in sympatricPodarcis muralisandP. sicula(Reptilia: Lacertidae) from the historical centre of Rome: What about competition and niche segregation in an urban habitat?

Cited by 35 publications

References 12 publications

Head Morphology and Degree of Variation in Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula

Head Morphology and Degree of Variation in Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula

Food habits of the green lizard,Lacerta bilineata, in central Italy and a reliability test of faecal pellet analysis

Head morphological variation in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis sicula: a landmark-based approach

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