Abstract Although Timon pater is among the largest species of lacertids found throughout North Africa, mainly in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, studies examining the ecology of this lizard remain rare. In this paper we describe the daily activity patterns, biometry and diet of T. pater in a mountain area during its period of maximum activity. We carried out the field study in the southern slope of Mount Chélia in the middle of the Aurès Massif, north-eastern Algeria. In order to analyse the daily activity patterns we performed surveys along 4 000 m long random transects. To obtain biometrical measurements we captured and measured 20 adults with a digital calliper. We obtained diet data by analysing 17 extracted stomach contents. The daily activity patterns of T. pater were similar during the summer periods (early and late summer), and no variation in activity was detected. Adult males were slightly larger and heavier than adult females and their heads were longer, larger and thicker than females’ heads. T. pater primarily consumed Coleopterans, but diet composition was noticeably different between the two summer periods. There were no sexual differences in dietary preferences.

中文翻译：

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阿尔及利亚东北部切利亚山的北非单眼蜥蜴 Timon pater 的日常活动、生物测定和饮食

摘要 尽管丁门蜥是北非发现的最大的蜥蜴物种之一，主要分布在摩洛哥、阿尔及利亚和突尼斯，但对这种蜥蜴生态的研究仍然很少见。在本文中，我们描述了在山区最大活动期间的日常活动模式、生物特征和饮食。我们在阿尔及利亚东北部奥雷斯地块中部的切利亚山南坡进行了实地研究。为了分析日常活动模式，我们沿着 4 000 m 长的随机横断面进行了调查。为了获得生物测量数据，我们使用数字卡尺捕获并测量了 20 名成年人。我们通过分析 17 个提取的胃内容物获得了饮食数据。T. pater 的日常活动模式在夏季（夏初和夏末）相似，并且未检测到活性变化。成年雄性比成年雌性略大和重，头部比雌性更长、更大、更厚。T. pater 主要食用鞘翅目，但两个夏季期间的饮食成分明显不同。饮食偏好没有性别差异。