The Role of Landscape in Contact Zones of Sister Species of Lizards

CARDOZO, G; NARETTO, S; ZAK, M; CHIARAVIGLIO, M

Perspectives on Nature Conservation ? Patterns, Pressures and Prospects

InTech

Año: 2012; p. 161 - 176

Elucidating the factors regulating the spatial distribution of ecologically similar species is a key pursuit. Many biotic and abiotic variables might influence species distribution and determine allopatry or simpatry. Moreover, species patterns are strongly associated with habitat variables at different spatial scales. However, the role of landscapes in contact zones is not completely understood. We examined landscape-scale habitat use in contact and allopatric zones between the two teiid lizards (T. merianae and T. rufescens) that occur in the Chaco region of central Argentina. Habitat heterogeneity is expected to increase the probability of coexistence among sister species. Therefore, we hypothesized divergence in landscape use in contact zones by both species, which would exploit high quality resources and take advantage of habitat heterogeneity. We generated useful knowledge to guide conservation efforts including landscape-level process-oriented considerations, to contribute to avoid disruption of the evolutionary process and to ensure healthy biodiversity at all levels.