ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF SEXUAL SIZE DIMORPHISM IN TWO LACERTID SPECIES IN BULGARIA

N. D. Tzаnkov, A. P. Grozdanov

Abstract: Sexual size dimorphism or SSD is widespread among many species of reptiles. The present research aims to analyze and compare the SSD in two lacertid lizards in Bulgaria – the Green lizard (Lacerta viridis) and the lowland subspecies of the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis chersonensis). Ten experimental territories were selected in Sofia and Plovdiv plains and neighboring areas. A total of 68 sand lizards and 65 green lizards were analyzed. For every individual were measured or counted 8 metric traits (transformed in to 12 indexes) and 12 meristic traits. Data scores were analyzed by mean of uni- and multivariate statistical technique. Investigating the meristic traits, we found statistically significant differences only in the number of horizontal lines of ventral shields between sexes in both species. Concerning the metric traits and indexes, we found statistically significant tendencies for larger absolute and relative head size in male sand lizards in comparison with females. In green lizard we stated similar significant tendency for larger head size and larger absolute and relative size of legs in male individuals. The presented results could be explained with the different roles of the sexes of those two species. SSD is more prominent in green lizard in comparison with sand lizard. In conclusion all that factors lead to bigger morphological differences between sexes in green lizards.

Keywords: dimorphism; Lacerta agilis; Lacerta viridis; morphology

Date published: 2017-10-26