Distribution and habitats of Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

brito, jc (Author) Other; paulo, os (Author) Other; crespo, eg (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Herpetological Journal

Vol. 8

Pages: 187-194

ISSN: 0268-0130

Publisher: British Herpetological Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-6ZX

Abstract (EN): We describe the habitats of the endemic Iberian lizard Lacerta schreiberi in Portugal and determine those habitat components that best explain the presence of the species. The geographic distribution of L. schreiberi in Portugal was also determined through extensive field surveys. The previously known distribution area was enlarged by 150% and new isolated populations were detected. The area occupied by the three previously known southern isolates was delimited and increased by 300%. The species is usually restricted to the margins of rivers and streams. Major habitat characteristics that correlate with the presence of the species are water velocity and quality, dominant species in the tree and shrub strata, streams surrounding the biotopes, and altitude. Nevertheless, the selection patterns that L. schreiberi seems to exhibit are only a consequence of its preference for the Atlantic climate. Consequently the presence of the species in a given watercourse seems to be more dependent on the climate of that region than on the intrinsic characteristics of that watercourse.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8