Community Ecology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 12: Issue 2
Population density of syntopic, differently sized lizards in three fragmented woodlands from Mediterranean Central Italy
Authors:
M. Maura Università degli Studi Roma Tre Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale Viale G. Marconi, 446 I-00146 Roma Italy

Search for other papers by M. Maura in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
L. Vignoli

Search for other papers by L. Vignoli in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
M. Bologna Università degli Studi Roma Tre Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale Viale G. Marconi, 446 I-00146 Roma Italy

Search for other papers by M. Bologna in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
L. Rugiero Centre of Environmental Studies Demetra and F.I.Z.V. (Ecology) Via Olona, 7 I-00198 Roma Italy

Search for other papers by L. Rugiero in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
L. Luiselli Centre of Environmental Studies Demetra and F.I.Z.V. (Ecology) Via Olona, 7 I-00198 Roma Italy

Search for other papers by L. Luiselli in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Pages:
249–258
Online Publication Date:
17 Nov 2011
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2011
Article Category:
Journal Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/comec.12.2011.2.14
Keywords:
Central Italy; Density; Distance; Fragmentation; Generalized Linear Models; Lacertidae
Restricted access

The population density of three lacertid lizards (Podarcis sicula, Podarcis muralis, Lacerta viridis) was studied along several transects crossing agro-forest habitats in Mediterranean central Italy. Overall, seven transects, in three different wooded patches, were walked for lizards. Distance sampling (with uniform model design) was applied to the dataset in order to calculate population size, dispersion, and coefficient of variation at each site. In order to detect which factors may influence lizard density, a Generalized Linear Model (GLZ; multinomial distribution and cumulative log link function) was built, with environmental variables and density of predators’ variables being included in the model as covariates (scale predictor). Density of the three lizard species differed significantly among study sites, evidencing species-specific responses to local patch conditions. None of the environmental variables taken separately in the GLZ model influenced significantly the lizard densities, whereas lizards densities showed species-specific response to the considered environmental variables. The largest species (L. viridis) showed the highest density in the fragment with the most irregular shape and largest wood size, whereas the two smaller Podarcis species presented their highest population density in the site with the smallest wood patch and with a very low snake density. Density of P. sicula was negatively correlated with both the woodland area and Colubridae density, and was positively correlated with woodland shape (i.e. with circularity).

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Community Ecology
Community Ecology An Interdisciplinary Journal Reporting Progress in Community and Population Studies
Print ISSN:
1585-8553
Online ISSN:
1588-2756

To see the editorial board, please visit the website of Springer Nature.

Manuscript Submission: HERE

For subscription options, please visit the website of Springer Nature.

Community Ecology
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 2000
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 3
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1585-8553 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2756 (Online)

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Nov 2024 22 0 0
Dec 2024 15 0 0
Jan 2025 12 0 0
Feb 2025 21 0 0
Mar 2025 18 4 6
Apr 2025 14 0 0
May 2025 0 0 0