Ivan TELENCHEV, Daniela SIMEONOVSKA-NIKOLOVA, Rossen TZONEV

Habitat use and activity of European glass lizard, Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775), in southeastern Bulgaria

The way in which animals use the physical and biological resources in habitats is an important aspect of their behavioralecology. Here, we studied the activity and habitat use of the European glass lizard in two habitats in southeastern Bulgaria duringthe spring and summer of 2015. We registered behaviors such as basking and movement, and we recorded hiding locations. We alsoattempted to capture the individual mark of every observed individual, to determine its sex, age, and body temperature, immediately atcapture. In parallel, essential environmental parameters were identified: temperature of the air near the lizard, substrate temperature,dominant plant species, and humidity. The results showed that there were seasonal differences in the activity of the lizards and thevariables of the environment. In Habitat 1 where most of the glass lizards were registered we observed habitat segregation. The habitatselection of adult glass lizards was closely connected to the presence of shrubs but not of forest. We discuss these findings in relation withproximate and ultimate factors, determining the habitat use of European glass lizards. Extended knowledge of habitat use ofP. apodusishighly relevant to its future preservation.

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