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Habitat preferences of three lacertid lizards in the Balearic Islands: insights from native and alien species: Habitat preferences Balearic lizards

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  • Daniel Escoriza,
  • Santiago,
  • Dani Boix
Daniel Escoriza
Girona University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-19661

Published 2026-08-10

Keywords

  • Alien, competition, habitat, Menorca, Podarcis, Scelarcis

How to Cite

escoriza, D., Poch, S., & Boix, D. (2026). Habitat preferences of three lacertid lizards in the Balearic Islands: insights from native and alien species: Habitat preferences Balearic lizards. Acta Herpetologica. https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-19661

Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Escoriza, Santiago, Dani Boix

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Abstract. Three lacertid lizards inhabit Menorca and nearby islets: the endemic Podarcis lilfordi, restricted to small satellite islands, alongside the introduced Podarcis siculus and Scelarcis perspicillata. In this study, we investigated patterns of habitat use by these species within this insular system. Lizards were detected through visual surveys, and at each observation point, we measured meteorological, vegetation, and perch-use variables. We used the Outlying Mean Index to visualize multidimensional niche patterns and spatial probit regression to identify the environmental variables driving species separation. All three species were active under similar meteorological conditions and showed no segregation along topographic properties; however, their use of habitats and perch types showed both shared and species-specific patterns. Podarcis lilfordi and P. siculus used similar types of perches but diverged in habitat use, with P. siculus favoring more diverse, vegetated sites and P. lilfordi occurring in bush-dominated habitats. Scelarcis perspicillata occupied sparsely vegetated rocky habitats and vertical rocky perches. Broad distribution patterns indicated that S. perspicillata persists in patchy colonies, suggesting a restricted invasive potential, whereas P. siculus is highly adaptable and widespread. These findings suggest that the potential for P. siculus to compete with P. lilfordi over similar habitats exists if it reaches the islets, while such a scenario appears far less likely for S. perspicillata.

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