Table 1. Dimensions of the Lizard Niche

1. Spatial Niche

Habitat
deserts, shrubby habitats, forests, grasslands, etc.
sandridges
sandplains
rocky outcrops

Microhabitat
arboreal--->terrestrial
open versus vegetation
fossoriality
aquatic
diurnal, nocturnal retreats
Anatomical Correlates - Convergent Evolution
fringed toe lamellae, shovel snouts, prehensile tails

2. Temporal Niche


Time of Activity
Nocturnal and Diurnal species
Thermoregulatory tactics continuum
(thermoconformers-->thermoregulators)

3. Trophic Niche

Dietary Niche Breadth
generalists-->specialists
ants
termites
scorpions
other lizards
birds
mammals
some plant foods
Anatomical Correlates -- head length x prey size, hinged teeth
Mode of Foraging
ambush hunters, sit-and-wait predators
widely foraging
search vs. pursuit, energetic costs & profits, etc.

4. Reproductive Tactics

clutch size, reproductive effort, expenditure per progeny
Viviparity

5. Predator Escape Tactics

speed, agility, mimicry, camouflage, spines, tail length, body shape, tail autotomy