Eat or be eaten? An observation of Podarcis erhardii consuming Scolopendra cingulata from Andros Island, Cyclades, Greece

Collection: Pensoft Publishers

Keywords: Chilopoda · Topics: Amphibian and Reptile Biology, Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy, Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research

Podarcis wall lizards mainly feed on coleopterans, orthopterans, arachnids, and other small invertebrates. However, Aegean wall lizards, Podarcis erhardii, are widely distributed across Aegean islands and are increasingly observed eating non-traditional food items ranging from plant material to conspecific eggs and body parts. Here, we report the first documented case of P. erhardii consuming a large centipede, Scolopendra cingulata. The predator-prey relationship between these species has appeared to go both ways and may intensify on islands.

View raw JSON from API

Found an error? Please report to login@optimap.science.