Relationships between locomotor performance, microhabitat use and antipredator behaviour in lacertid lizards

Abstract

SummaryMicrohabitat use and antipredator behaviour (i.e. behavioural response to a bird model and refuge microhabitat) was measured in an experimental set‐up for 11 lacertid lizard species. Additionally, locomotor performance (sprint speed, climbing and clambering speed, manoeuvrability and endurance) of the same species was quantified.The results showed considerable interspecific variation in microhabitat use, behavioural response and choice of refuge microhabitat. Part of that variation could be linked to differences in locomotor capacity.Species that frequently made use of open microhabitats tended to be fast sprinters, but had limited endurance. The behavioural data suggest these species will not start running before the predator is close at hand, and thus having high sprint capacities might be more beneficial than great endurance.Species that spent most of their time on vertical elements appeared to be fast climbers. As such microhabitats tend to be quite exposed, lizards living there are conspicuous to predators and being able to escape fast seems relevant.Contrary to our expectations, species mostly observed in the vegetated microhabitats did not excel in clambering capacity or manoeuvrability. Possibly, dense vegetation constitutes a safe harbour and species may no longer be under selection for locomotor speed.Behavioural response when confronted with an aerial predator was context‐dependent in most species: most lizards fled more when in open or vertical microhabitats than when in densely vegetated ones. Moreover, when fleeing most species sought refuge in the vegetation. These findings support our idea that vegetated patches may constitute a safe harbour for lacertids.