Effects of urbanization on behavior, performance, and morphology of the Garden Skink, Lampropholis guichenoti

There is a close link between the habitat of an organism and its behavior, performance, and morphology. Many urban parks and gardens are modified such that the ground layer is more open and less complex than the ground layer of a natural bushland habitat. Garden Skinks (Lampropholis guichenoti) are widespread and common throughout the Sydney region, in both modified and more natural habitats. Garden Skinks might, therefore, exhibit differences in behavior, performance, and morphology between these two habitats. We studied behavior (habitat use and response to a predator), performance (sprint speed), and morphology of Garden Skinks in three modified urban garden habitats and three more natural bushland habitats. Lizards in modified habitats spent significantly more time on bare, flat surfaces farther from refuge than lizards in natural habitats. The distance to which an observer could approach a lizard before it fled (approach distance) was generally greater in modified habitats, and lizards in modified habitats had significantly faster sprint speeds than lizards in natural habitats. Lizard morphology (leg length) did not correlate with lizard performance. Apart from lizards at Modified Site 1 and Natural Site 1, lizards exhibited a similar, generalized body shape that was suited to various sprint speeds. However, the ability of Garden Skinks to exhibit different behaviors and performance levels (given similar body shapes) in structurally different habitats in part may explain why Garden Skinks are referred to as a successful "generalist" species.