[Studies on the Iguanidae of Madagascar : II. Remarks on the ecology of Chalarodon madagascariensis Peters, 1854].

The detailed comments that we made on the repartition map of Chalarodon madagascariensis enable us to define, in the climatological study, the factors limiting the extension of this species. These number two, namely rainfall and sunning. The Chalarodons live in that region of Malagasy where solar heat is strongest and rainfall lowest, and where hot climatological conditions range from subarid to semiarid (the maximum temperature is one of the highest in the island). They live in full sunlight. They are typically xerophilous and heliophilous lizards.They are adapted to life in sandy grounds, over which they move about most swiftly and out of which they dig their holes. The manner these sandy grounds are distributed accounts for the varying density within the area.The most characteristic vegetation is xerophilous bush, sparse enough to afford sufficient sunlight to the ground.These lizards do not undergo real hibernation, but only a marked slackening in their activity during winter in the southern hemisphere (dry and cool season).Lastly this study of the factors of environment allows us to describe some aspects of their biology in relation to their ecology (cycles of activity, nutrition, etc.).