Ecological Convergence of the Lizard Faunas of the Chaparral Communities in Chile and California

Abstract

This chapter is an attempt at documenting some impressions of ecological similarities in the lizard faunas of the chaparral habitats of central Chile and southern California. These impressions are based on many years of residence in the California region, and from a series of short visits to Chile during the years 1968–70. The ecologies of the species will be compared in a very simple manner. The morphological description of the species and faunas is compared against the ecological patterns. A discussion of the origins of the present-day ecological configuration of these faunas in the two habitats is related to the idea of a similar set of selection factors in operation in the two environments, resulting in ecological convergence.