Restricted use of space in an endemic lizard of the Andes: addressing the effects of intrinsic and environmental factors

Spatial ecology often results from the interaction between animals’ spatial use behavior and the characteristics of their environment, which can have implications for social relationships between individuals. Therefore, understanding individual spatial use is crucial to species conservation as it directly impacts population stability and species persistence. Phymaturus is a vulnerable genus of liolaemid lizards. In this study, we address the patterns involved in the variation of spatial use of saxicolous lizards, focusing on the endemic Phymaturus williamsi. We used generalized linear models to evaluate factors (intrinsic and extrinsic) that may affect lizards’ use of space (home range and microhabitat). Home ranges estimated for population varied from 0.0063 to 44.36 m². This species presented the smallest home range recorded to date among Liolaemidae. Home range size varied seasonally and was not related to lizard snout-vent length. Female home ranges were significantly smaller than male and juvenile home ranges. An interesting fact is that home range size was not related to microenvironmental variables: wind speed, distance to vegetation, microhabitat used, thermoregulation condition, or shelter condition. However, home range size and microhabitat use were related to substrate temperature. This species specialized in two rock types (basaltic and feldspathic rock). We conclude that P. williamsi is a lizard with strict and reduced microhabitats, dependent on substrate temperature, which makes it highly vulnerable to habitat changes and requires careful habitat management. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind on this species and has important implications for its conservation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Spatial ecology affects and is affected by almost every aspect of an individual’s biology and is therefore crucial for conservation. By studying the spatial ecology of individuals during a complete activity period (from spring to autumn), we were able to obtain valuable information on how the use of space changes as the associated factors, both intrinsic or extrinsic, change for an individual. Studying home range and microhabitat use, we observe that the spatial ecology of Phymaturus williamsi responds to intrapopulation and seasonal and substrate temperature variables, with these being very specific for utilization of microhabitat. Therefore, we propose that this species could be threatened, due to the combination of aspects analyzed in this study and its biology. We highlight that spatial ecology provides comprehensive information that must be taken into account for the conservation and management of species and their habitats.