Environmental heterogeneity and lizard assemblages in riparian areas in Cyprus

Abstract

The island of Cyprus hosts a rich diversity of reptiles, including several endemic species. Reptiles are more
common in Mediterranean-type shrubland and other open habitats in Cyprus, although riparian formations offer
additional cover and food sources, especially during dry, hot summers. Riparian habitats are often very heterogeneous,
an attribute that can be important for lizards since they can utilize a variety of microhabitats crucial for different aspects
of their ecology. Nevertheless, reptilian diversity in riparian systems remains understudied and Cyprus is no exception.
The aim of this study was to compare lizard diversity and abundance patterns across seasons and elevations, as well as
their relationships with habitat heterogeneity and protected status of areas along riverbanks, as expressed by presence
in or out of Natura 2000 sites. We examined the effects that these factors can have on lizard communities by studying
three rivers that exhibit variations in environmental conditions. Additionally, we evaluated separately the abundances
of four common species (Snake-eyed Lizard, Ophisops elegans; Troodos Rock Lizard, Phoenicolacerta troodica; Cyprus
Rock Agama, Laudakia cypriaca; and Schreiber’s Fringe-toed Lizard, Acanthodactylus schreiberi) while recording in riparian habitats seven of the 11 Cypriot species of lizards. Diversity and richness were not significantly associated with
any of the explanatory variables examined (season, elevation, habitat heterogeneity, and protected status). Moreover,
we found no relationship between the abundances of each of the four species and habitat heterogeneity, even though
they responded differently to elevation, season, and protected status. Our results suggest that lizard diversity in riparian
systems is high compared to the total number of lizard species found on Cyprus, reaching 60% of the overall richness.