Socio-sexual behaviour and spacing organization of Agama impalearis

The social and sexual behaviour of a marked group of Agama impalearis was observed under natural conditions in an arid area of the central Jbilet mountains (Western Morocco) during spring 1995. Supplementary observations were made either in laboratory or in the field on unmarked individuals at different periods of the year from 1993 to 1996. We examined the behavioural repertoire of adults. A quantitative analysis of field data allowed to assess relative time proportions and frequencies of the main behavioural categories. The diurnal emergence of animals from their refuges appears to be greatly influenced by temperature as agamas were observed to emerge in the field at different times of the day but at closely similar thermal conditions. The lizards are highly heliophilous and predominantly sit-and-wait foragers. Feeding behaviour, escape from ennemies, courtship, oviposition and other behaviours were described. Adult males are strongly territorial and have specific display action-patterns of aggressive behaviour. The displays involve postural change, pushups and head nodds. They were able to rapidly change their colours. The two sexes showed differences in nuptial colours and behavioural attitudes. Contrary to males, females exhibited neither pushup nor head nodds but a specific display with mouth-gaping when males are courting them. Monogamy is the predominant mating system and there is no real social hierarchy. Home ranges were larger in males and showed low overlaps. Basking and alert postures are predominant through activity time and pushups are the most frequent display.