Does a polymorphic species have a ‘polymorphic’ diet? A case study from a lacertid lizard

摘要: Lizards are ideal for studying colour polymorphism, because some species polymorphic and the morphs often have different ecological or reproductive strategies. We studied feeding habits of six populations Podarcis muralis to test whether differed in their diet. Some taxa were selected a similar way by all morphs, but selection on other varied was characteristic each morph. Diet most red yellow morphs. Two hypotheses could explain these differences: active segregation trophic niche space dependent spatial heterogeneity prey availability. The former is improbable P. considered an opportunistic feeder, whereas latter occur if adopted alternative territorial strategies with consequent segregation.