Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 8 No.3

Raspodjela ekoloških niša između sedam simpatričkih lacertidnih gušterica u Peloponeškom gorju

Authors: Werner Mayer, Petra Beyerlein

Authors and affiliation

  • Werner Mayer Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Chemosystematische Untersuchungsstelle, Burgring 7, A–1014 Wien, Austria
  • Petra Beyerlein Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Chemosystematische Untersuchungsstelle, Burgring 7, A–1014 Wien, Austria

Abstract

All seven lacertid species recorded in the Peloponnese can be found in a very small area in the Arcadian highlands on the Peloponnese peninsula. Only one example of such unique diversity in such a small area has been described in the Mediterranean region before. This density requires the occupation of different restricted ecological and ethological niches by all seven species and therefore the habitats have to be diverse. Niche segregation, ecological demands and the ethological differences between the species are discussed in relation to this habitat diversity.

Keywords

Lacertidae, Lacerta, Podarcis, Algyroides, Greece, ecology, ethology, niche segregation