An unusual predation event by the Anatolian Rock Lizard, Anatololacerta anatolica (Werner, 1900) on the dwarf snake, Eirenis modestus (Martin, 1838)

Year 2025, Volume: 34 Issue: 2, 283 - 289, 26.12.2025

Ecem Büşra Hastürk , Yusuf Kumlutaş , Kamil Candan , Elif Yıldırım Caynak , Ahmet Gokay Korkmaz , Çetin Ilgaz

https://doi.org/10.53447/communc.1714722

Abstract

The members of the Lacertidae are rarely known to prey on snakes or snake-like reptiles. This study presents the first record of snake predation by Anatololacerta anatolica. The stomach content of a female specimen was found to contain a snake of the Eirenis modestus. This study provides some of the first direct data on the feeding biology of A. anatolica. It also contributes to the trophic diversity of the Lacertidae family by highlighting the potential feeding flexibility of the species.

Keywords

Anatololacerta anatolica , feeding behavior , opportunistic predation , Eirenis modestus , Türkiye

Ethical Statement

All relevant national regulations and institutional guidelines for animal research, care, and use were followed. The study protocol, dated January 27, 2012, and numbered 02/2012, was approved by the Local Animal Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylül University, Republic of Türkiye.

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