Myrmecophagy in lizards: evolutionary and ecological implications.

This article investigates the evolutionary history and ecological correlates of myrmecophagy, defined as ant feeding (Formicidae), across 345 lizard species from 33 families worldwide. The study finds that ant consumption is phylogenetically non-random, primarily concentrated in certain iguanian families (Tropiduridae, Phrynosomatidae, Agamidae), and represents a relatively recent, derived trait in lizard evolution. Among ecological factors tested—such as foraging mode, habitat, body size, aridity, and geographical range size—only foraging mode (sit-and-wait strategy) and smaller geographical range size showed significant associations with higher ant consumption, while habitat, body size, and aridity did not. The authors highlight the need for finer taxonomic resolution of ant prey and more nuanced behavioral data to better understand ecological influences on myrmecophagy in lizards.