Additional notes on the diet of <em>Japalura swinhonis</em> (Agamidae) from southwestern Taiwan, with comments about its dietary overlap with the sympatric <em>Anolis sagrei</em> (Polychrotidae)

Abstract

Japalura swinhonis is an endemic agamid lizard in Taiwan, and although its diet has been examined in northern Taiwan and Orchid Island, it has not been investigated in other parts of its range. Investigating the diet of a species from different parts of its range is crucial due to temporal and spatial variations in it. This study examined the dietary items of 47 J. swinhonis from Santzepu and Yunlin, southwestern Taiwan. We also reviewed the diet of J. swinhonis and compared it with that of Anolis sagrei from Santzepu, where these species are sympatric in anthropogenically created habitats such as Areca catechu plantations and fruit orchards. The diet of J. swinhonis from Santzepu was dominated by hymenopterans, followed by coleopterans, lepidopterans and trichopterans, while that of the J. swinhonis from Yunlin was dominated by isopterans, followed by hymenopterans, lepidopterans and coleopterans. The diet of A. sagrei from Santzepu was mainly dominated by hymenopterans, lepidopterans, araneids, hemipterans, coleopterans, dipterans, isopterans and orthopterans, in that order of frequency.
From the results of this study it is evident that in areas where J. swinhonis and A. sagrei are sympatric there is a substantial dietary niche overlap, and competition for prey is very likely.