WHAT DO ANOLIS EAT?: EVALUATION OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE DIET OF ANOLIS VENTRIMACULATUS (SQUAMATA: DACTYLOIDAE) IN COLOMBIA

摘要: Anolis lizards exhibit high morphological diversity, partially related to variation in structural resource use, that probably influences foraging behavior and prey selection of individuals species. Anoles are largely insectivorous: most species generalists/opportunists few specialists. Dietary differences between sexes among from different populations have been observed several Sexual size dimorphism, spatial niche divergence species, competition food availability some the factors responsible for these differences. We characterized diet ventrimaculatus (Squamata: Dactyloidae), a with sexual shape widely distributed highland Colombian environments. Stomach proximal intestinal content preserved adults were analyzed. Prey items classified order and, when possible, family. A. eats variable preys (mostly Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, insect larvae) is as generalist/opportunist. Vegetal debris, shed skin, stones presumably ingested incidentally. Diets males females similar. dimorphism geographic minimal. Males exhibited total number percentage use frequently consumed (Orthoptera Hymenoptera), varied localities. Total numbers by also localities, whereas consumption Coleoptera Orthoptera both sexes. Differences could explain sexes, ingesting larger items. Variation (most likely attributable microhabitat use), sample sizes dates collecting events minor aspects ecology this