Competing for crevices: interspecific conflict influences retreat-site selection in montane lizards.

摘要: Direct interference competition between sympatric taxa affects habitat use and shelter-site selection in species within most major vertebrate lineages. However, studies on interspecific social reptiles largely have been confined to research interactions non-native (invasive) native fauna. Does also influence natural assemblages of reptiles? We studied five broadly viviparous montane skinks the genera Egernia Eulamprus southeastern Australia. Previous work has shown strong overlap abiotic attributes shelter-sites for these taxa, but no joint occupancy retreats. Laboratory trials which we manipulated identity co-occurring lizards revealed frequent displacement from “preferred” (hotter) shelters, with more intense than intraspecific conflicts. The displayed a linear dominance hierarchy, larger displacing smaller taxa. Field manipulations confirmed that affect use. conclude direct agonistic encounters individuals different strongly by this assemblage.