Intraspecijska agresivnost kod autohtone krške gušterice (Podarcis melisellensis) u laboratorijskim uvjetima

master's thesis

• Title (english): Intraspecific aggression in autochthonous Dalmatian wall lizard (Podarcis melisellensis) in laboratory conditions
• Author: Lina Bajić
• Mentor: Duje Lisičić (mentor)
• Committee member: Duje Lisičić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Sofia Ana Blažević (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Sandra Hudina (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Ivančica Ternjej (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2025, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Krška gušterica (Podarcis melisellensis) endemska je vrsta istočne obale Jadranskog mora te je
jedna od najzastupljenijih vrsta gmazova hrvatske obale i otoka što je čini važnom za razumijevanje
ekologije ovog područja. Budući da se radi o teritorijalnoj vrsti, među konspecifičnim jedinkama
dolazi do kompeticije. Kao rezultat kompeticije za resurse, javlja se intraspecijska agresivnost. Cilj
mog istraživanja bio je utvrditi razinu intraspecijske agresivnosti P. melisellensis u laboratorijskim
uvjetima, te razlike u njoj s obzirom na spol i lokacije. Sakupljeno je po 20 primjeraka svakog
spola na tri lokacije – Sinj, Knin i Pag, ukupno 120 jedinki. Agresivnost je ispitivana u testu
otvorenog polja, pri čemu je prostor pod grijaćom svjetiljkom služio kao vrijedan resurs kojim se
potiče kompeticija. Praćena su tri tipa agresivnosti: prijetnja, zalet bez kontakta i ugriz. Rezultati
istraživanja pokazali su razinu intraspecijske agresivnosti nižu od očekivane, postoji spolni
dimorfizam u agresivnosti P. melisellensis te su prisutne razlike u tri tipa agresivnosti s obzirom
na lokacije. Ponašanje P. melisellensis općenito je slabo istraženo, a proučavanje intraspecijske
agresivnosti omogućuje bolje razumijevanje interakcija unutar vrste, ali služi i kao osnova za
razumijevanje agresivnog ponašanja i odnosa s drugim vrstama.

Abstract (english)

The Dalmatian wall lizard (Podarcis melisellensis) is an endemic species of the eastern coast of
the Adriatic Sea and one of the most often reptile species on the Croatian coast, which makes it
important for understanding the ecology of this area. Due to its territoriality, there is competition
between conspecifics. As a result, intraspecies aggressivity occurs, leading to the display of
dominance. My research aimed to determine the level of intraspecific aggressivity of P.
melisellensis in laboratory conditions, regarding sex and different locations. It was conducted on
120 individuals, with 20 specimens of each sex collected from three locations – Sinj, Knin and Pag.
Aggressivity was tested in an open field test, with a heat lamp as a resource to encourage
competition and aggression. Three types of aggressivity were monitored: display, run without
contact and biting. The results showed lower-than-expected level of intraspecific aggressivity,
sexual dimorphism regarding intraspecific aggressivity, and differences in the three types of
aggressivity concerning locations. The behaviour of P. melisellensis is generally poorly researched,
and the study of intraspecific aggressivity enables a better understanding of intraspecific
interactions but also serves as a basis for understanding aggression and interspecific relationships.

• Keywords: agresija; ponašanje; kompeticija; spolni dimorfizam; bihevioralna ekologija
• Keywords (english): aggression; behaviour; competition; sexual dimorphism; behavioural ecology
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:645249
• Project: Number: UIP-2019-04-8469; Title: Dopaminska regulacija kompetitivnog ponašanja u kohabituirajućim populacijama guštera Podarcis siculus i Podarcis melisellensis; Title: Dopamine regulation of competitive behavior in coexisting populations of lizards Podarcis siculus and Podarcis melisellensis; Acronym: BOLDer; Leader: Sofia Ana Blažević; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funder: Hrvatska zaklada za znanost; Funding stream: Installation Research Projects
• Study programme: Title: Experimental Biology-University graduate programme; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra eksperimentalne biologije (sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra eksperimentalne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-02-11 14:34:23