Similar feeding ecologies, different morphologies in Liolaemus pictus (Duméril & Bibron, 1837) (liolaemidae) from Chiloé archipelago, Chile

Abstract

Insularity promotes dietary divergence in vertebrates due to changes in biotic parameters as intra­specific competition, predation and resource availability. Liolaemus pictus is a lizard species from Southern Chile that has populations in mainland and insular territories. The aim of this paper was to test the correlation between dietary preferences and morphological differences between mainland and insular populations. We did not find differences in the dietary composition, but the proportion of the consumption of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera is higher in the mainland. Herbivory is present in both populations and there is no relation between the diet and the morphology. The presence of herbivory could be related with reduced prey availability, conditions that could be present in islands and high elevation environments.