Natural history of Valentin's rock lizard (Darevskia valentini) in Armenia

关键词：darevskia valentini reproduction population density 

摘要：Valentin's rock lizard (Darevskia valentini) is suggested to be the pare nt for several parthenoge netic species (e.g., D. armeniaca, D. bendimahiensis, D. sapphirina, and D. unisexualis) that evolved through hybridization. Complex evolutionary processes (ineluding reticulate evolution) are occurring within the areas where Valentin' s rock lizard coexists with these and other rock lizards. Hence, a detailed biological specification of this species is important for understanding how vertebrates evolve. Valentin's rock lizard is a longlived (up to 9 years), small diurnal lizard with larger females than males, which is unlike other species of the genus. Their relatively large eggs and early reproducti on period, which occurs just after emerge nee from winter shelters, are adaptatio ns for living in a high elevation climate (higher than 2 000 m a.s.l.). Their body temperatures (31 -32℃) are comparable to body temperatures of rock lizards living in milder climates, though female body temperature is more depe ndent on substrate temperature and basking due to their lower activity than that found in males. Population density fluctuates from several individuals to several hundred per hectare and is not affected by parthenogen coexistenee, although hybrids do occur in sexually biased populations where males are more common than females. The male home range is larger than that of females, though these home ranges broadly overlap. Prey is not limited in the mountain meadows and Valentin's rock lizards feed on a great variety of arthropods. Infan ticide occurs in high-de nsity populati ons.

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