Habitat heterogeneity drives niche partitioning and morphological divergence in two sympatric Diploderma lizard species

Habitat heterogeneity drives niche partitioning and morphological divergence in two sympatric Diploderma lizard species | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 17 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Habitat heterogeneity drives niche partitioning and morphological divergence in two sympatric Diploderma lizard species Authors : Yuhao Wen 0009-0002-1554-2817 , Songwen Tan 0009-0009-1461-6328 , Yihua Xiang , Wei Gao , Peng Guo 0000-0001-5585-292X , Bingjun Dong , and Yayong Wu 0000-0003-2752-4085 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176864777.75537519/v1 147 views 102 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Understanding how closely related taxa diverge and persist in spatial contact zones is central to explaining biodiversity dynamics. Habitat heterogeneity can promote lineage divergence through disruptive ecological pressures that favor differentiation in morphology, behavior, and ecological traits. This study focused on two closely related parapatric species, Diploderma yangi and D. slowinskii, which occupy contrasting microhabitats across the Nujiang River Basin in western China. The analysis integrated environmental, morphological, and dietary datasets to elucidate how niche partitioning stabilizes species boundaries in a landscape characterized by pronounced heterogeneity. Altitudinal gradients and microhabitat features, including substrate composition and stone size, clearly delineated their distributions. The arboreal species, D. slowinskii, exhibited a larger overall body size, elongated limbs, and an extended tail relative to the saxicolous-terrestrial taxon D. yangi, consistent with biomechanical demands of climbing rather than ground‑based movement. Despite both taxa functioning as arthropod generalists, trophic profiles diverged markedly: D. yangi predominantly consumed smaller prey items, whereas D. slowinskii targeted larger arthropods, reflecting differentiation in trophic niche breadth driven by habitat-specific prey structure. These results suggest that strong environmental gradients within a narrow contact zone generate persistent ecological divergence, with coordinated shifts in habitat use, morphology, and diet. Collectively, this study supports a mechanistic model of parapatric diversification and underscores the role of fine‑scale habitat complexity in sustaining high species richness across the Hengduan Mountains. Supplementary Material File (appendix 1.docx) Download 13.85 KB File (habitat heterogeneity drives niche partitioning and morphological divergence in two sympatric diploderma lizard species.doc) Download 161.00 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 17 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords comparative multiple population ecology sequencing statistical theoretical Authors Affiliations Yuhao Wen 0009-0002-1554-2817 Yibin University View all articles by this author Songwen Tan 0009-0009-1461-6328 Yibin University View all articles by this author Yihua Xiang Yibin University View all articles by this author Wei Gao Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences View all articles by this author Peng Guo 0000-0001-5585-292X Yibin University View all articles by this author Bingjun Dong Shenyang Normal University View all articles by this author Yayong Wu 0000-0003-2752-4085 [email protected] Chengdu Institute of Biology View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 147 views 102 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Yuhao Wen, Songwen Tan, Yihua Xiang, et al. Habitat heterogeneity drives niche partitioning and morphological divergence in two sympatric Diploderma lizard species. Authorea . 17 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176864777.75537519/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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