Abstract
Abstract We examined the relative roles of contemporary (species interactions) and historical factors (phylogeny) in structuring a lizard assemblage (14 species) from one of the last remaining large expanses of undisturbed Cerrado in Brazil. Niche breadth for microhabitat was low for all species in the assemblage, and microhabitat niche overlaps varied from none to almost complete and appeared associated with phylogenetic similarity. Mean microhabitat and diet overlaps among lizard species did not differ statistically from random, based on a pseudocommunity analysis, indicating a negligible role of contemporary factors in assemblage structure. Prey overlaps were highest within Gymnophthalmidae and Teiidae. A cluster analysis of principal component scores of morphometric variables revealed groups corresponding to lizard families, suggesting a strong association between morphology and phylogeny. Similarities among closely related species in microhabitat use, diel activity, and diet breadth, based on cladogr...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
