Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua
Abstract Basking and retreat sites constitute a key resource in the habitat of any ectotherm. Identifying the elements that are used and modelling the microhabitat selection of species is crucial for assessing the impact of anthropogenic disturbances at the population level and, therefore, focusing...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academia Brasileira de Ciências
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652021000301013&tlng=en |
| _version_ | 1819284948388937728 |
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| author | NADIA VICENZI RUBÉN MASSARELLI NORA IBARGÜENGOYTÍA VALERIA CORBALÁN |
| author_facet | NADIA VICENZI RUBÉN MASSARELLI NORA IBARGÜENGOYTÍA VALERIA CORBALÁN |
| author_sort | NADIA VICENZI |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Basking and retreat sites constitute a key resource in the habitat of any ectotherm. Identifying the elements that are used and modelling the microhabitat selection of species is crucial for assessing the impact of anthropogenic disturbances at the population level and, therefore, focusing on conservation efforts. We investigated how structural attributes of the microhabitat and biotic factors influence the probability of basking and retreat sites use by Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling and viviparous lizard endemic to the Central Andes of Argentina. We measured the characteristics of a series of rocks (basking sites) and shelters (retreat sites) in the study area and compared lizard resource use versus availability using resource selection analyses (RSFs). According to our best RSF model, P. palluma select high and large rocks as basking sites and prefer those near their retreat sites and far from the basking sites of their neighbours. In contrast, retreat site selection is related to the length, depth, slope, and width of the shelter. Microhabitat site selection of P. palluma is associated with behavioural improvements such as enhancing basking capacity, reducing both intraspecific competition with neighbours and predation risk. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T01:55:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79ad2d47771c433391890800e2f37efa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1678-2690 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T01:55:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Academia Brasileira de Ciências |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências |
| spelling | doaj.art-79ad2d47771c433391890800e2f37efa2022-12-21T17:21:36ZengAcademia Brasileira de CiênciasAnais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências1678-26902021-05-0193210.1590/0001-3765202120190662Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of AconcaguaNADIA VICENZIhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7309-7294RUBÉN MASSARELLIhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7738-2439NORA IBARGÜENGOYTÍAhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-2718VALERIA CORBALÁNhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3977-392XAbstract Basking and retreat sites constitute a key resource in the habitat of any ectotherm. Identifying the elements that are used and modelling the microhabitat selection of species is crucial for assessing the impact of anthropogenic disturbances at the population level and, therefore, focusing on conservation efforts. We investigated how structural attributes of the microhabitat and biotic factors influence the probability of basking and retreat sites use by Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling and viviparous lizard endemic to the Central Andes of Argentina. We measured the characteristics of a series of rocks (basking sites) and shelters (retreat sites) in the study area and compared lizard resource use versus availability using resource selection analyses (RSFs). According to our best RSF model, P. palluma select high and large rocks as basking sites and prefer those near their retreat sites and far from the basking sites of their neighbours. In contrast, retreat site selection is related to the length, depth, slope, and width of the shelter. Microhabitat site selection of P. palluma is associated with behavioural improvements such as enhancing basking capacity, reducing both intraspecific competition with neighbours and predation risk.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652021000301013&tlng=encrevicesmicrohabitat selectionhigh-altitude lizardLiolaemidaerocks |
| spellingShingle | NADIA VICENZI RUBÉN MASSARELLI NORA IBARGÜENGOYTÍA VALERIA CORBALÁN Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências crevices microhabitat selection high-altitude lizard Liolaemidae rocks |
| title | Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua |
| title_full | Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua |
| title_fullStr | Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua |
| title_full_unstemmed | Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua |
| title_short | Basking and retreat site selection of Phymaturus palluma, a rock-dwelling lizard in the Highlands of Aconcagua |
| title_sort | basking and retreat site selection of phymaturus palluma a rock dwelling lizard in the highlands of aconcagua |
| topic | crevices microhabitat selection high-altitude lizard Liolaemidae rocks |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652021000301013&tlng=en |
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