Predation behavior with individuals aggregation on streetlights in Tarentola mauritanica (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southern Spain

Ana Lozano Del Campo, Roberto García-Roa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tarentola mauritanica is the most common gecko species in the Iberian Peninsula. It is widespread in most of the anthropogenic areas, where it shows predating behavior and male territoriality, especially during breeding season. In this note, we report an atypical aggregation of this species found in the streetlamps of the most frequented area of a campsite in Ronda, Malaga, Spain. There are previously reported T. mauritanica diurnal aggregations in retreat sites, but not much information can be found related to the interaction among reptiles in small places with high prey availability. This unusual tolerance to the presence of other males in such a reduced but suitable place for predating as a spotlight near humid facilities could be explained as an adaptive strategy to increase their success in hunting.

Original languageEnglish
Article number141205
Pages (from-to)120-121
Number of pages2
JournalBiharean Biologist
Volume8
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aggregation
  • Geckos
  • Lizard
  • Predation
  • Territoriality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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