The Feeding Biology of Ophisops elegans Menetries, 1832 (Reptilia: Lacertidae) Populations of the Bursa Region

Authors: ABDULMÜTTALİP AKKAYA, İSMAİL HAKKI UĞURTAŞ

Abstract: The feeding biology of Ophisops elegans inhabiting Bursa was investigated. Stomach contents of 66 adult (28 males, 38 females) specimens collected from 3 localities were investigated by numerical analysis. Most of the foods of the Ophisops elegans specimens were insects (64.58%), the majority of which were of larval form (19.44%). Two specimens that were collected from Gürsu were maintained in a terrarium to observe their feeding behaviors. During observations, Ophisops elegans exhibited various feeding behaviors depending on the type of prey and sometimes bit and ate pieces of its prey (legs, wings, etc.).

Keywords: Ophisops elegans, feeding biology, stomach content

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