Sex, Age, and Population Density Affect Aggressive Behaviors in Island Lizards Promoting Cannibalism

摘要: Island populations may evolve distinct behavioral repertoires as a response to the conditions of insular life. Strong intraspecific competition is typical in lizards and include cannibalism. In this study, we investigated sexual age patterns aggression two Skyros wall lizard (Podarcis gaigeae), one from main island (Aegean Sea, Greece) another satellite islet Diavates. The latter terrestrial predator-free biotope, hosting dense population large-bodied that have been reported exert staged encounters, examined aggressive propensities adult male female against their age-peers juveniles. Males both were much more than females toward juveniles other adults. Diavates frequently males Skyros. cannibals also captured targets at shorter latency. We ascribe pattern high density. Infanticide intramale aggressiveness confer great advantages cannibals: food elimination future rivals.