Incidence patterns of ectodermic lesions in wild populations of Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

摘要: Skin lesions frequently present in adult lizards may be due to a variety of causes, both physical and infectious, including excessively high humidity environmental temperature, malnutrition, concurrent disease etc. On the other hand, skin could simple evidence various behavioural patterns biotic interactions. However, studies on frequencies dermal their anatomical correlates lacertid are rare. Here, we use Podarcis muralis analyse relations between occurrence ectodermal three possible indicators stress (body condition index – BCI, infestation by ticks tail condition) evaluating differences among local populations at uni- multivariate level. Our results showed that together with body size sexual dimorphism, varied but had no direct influence presence lesions. Males higher lower broken tails than females. All parameters sites likely predation/parasite exposures agonistic interactions conspecifics sexes populations. Results analyses suggested is decoupled from morphological indicators. Detected associations indicated analysed variables rather complex. Directions for further research provided.