Resource Partitioning Between Two Teiid Species (Sauria: Teiidae) in Cerros de Amotape National Park (Tumbes, Peru)

Abstract

Saurians use differentially three dimensions of the ecological niche: spatial, temporal, and trophic niche to minimize or avoid competition. During dry season of 2006, we compared resource partitioning in two saurian species, Holcosus septemlineatus and Medopheos edracanthus. In Cerros de Amotape National Park (Tumbes, Peru), Holcosus septemlineatus and M. edracanthus presented high overlap in spatial (Φjk = 0.81) and temporal niches (Φjk = 0.88), while trophic niche overlap was intermediate (Φjk = 0.52). Both lizard species showed similar activity patterns (08:00 – 16:00) and body temperatures (35.9° and 36.6°C, respectively), although they faced different thermal environments, and selected different microhabitats. Holcosus septemlineatus selected more forest-covered microhabitats, while M. edracanthus used more sun-exposed microhabitats. Both species consumed a similar diet (crickets, spiders, termits and insect larvae). Apparently, the trophic niche index value could be associated with a high prey abundance and to slight differences in microhabitat use related to sun-exposure degree. This should be used as a resource partitioning strategy between these two species at Cerros de Amotape National Park.