A COMPARISON OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF TWO LIZARD SPECIES–ANGUIS COLCHICA AND ANGUIS FRAGILIS
IVAN TELENCHEV, VENISLAVA SPASOVA, DANIELA SIMEONOVSKA-NIKOLOVA*
Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
*Corresponding author: dansim@biofac.uni-sofia.bg
Keywords: intraspecific interactions, interspecific interactions, dyadic encounters, slow-worms
Abstract: More and more studies proved a connection between behavioural characteristics and factors important to the adaptability of individuals. In this regard, the current research aims to study the behavioural strategies of Anguis fragilis and Anguis colchica to conspecifics in their intraspecific and interspecific interactions. The studies were conducted in laboratory conditions during the spring-summer period of 2017. A total of 9 dyadic encounters were held - 6 intraspecific and 3 interspecific encounters. Dyadic encounters were conducted in neutral glass terrarium for a period of 10 min. A total of 12 adult male lizards – 6 male A. colchica and 6 male A. fragilis were tested. The results showed that A. fragilis explored the environment longer time than A. colchica. During the interspecific encounters both species spent more time in searching for way out and less time in standing near to the partner. This gives a reason to believe that in nature the two legless lizard species probably avoid each other.