Ontogenetic Habitat Shifts of Mauremys leprosa in Lotic and Lentic Habitats of the Sierra Morena Natural Park (Seville)

The Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) is a native semi-aquatic species of the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and North Africa, widely distributed across Mediterranean aquatic systems. Within these environments, M. leprosa inhabits a mosaic of lotic (flowing) and lentic (still) habitats, whose structure and connectivity may influence its spatial use, behavior, and ontogenetic development. How morphometry and age-class distribution differ between these habitat types, however, remains unclear. This study analyzed morphometric differences among individuals from both habitat types to explore potential ontogenic habitat preferences. Lotic habitats were primarily used for dispersal and breeding by adults, while lentic habitats served as foraging and residency areas for juveniles. Morphometric differences between habitat types support this functional differentiation. These findings highlight the ecological importance of habitat heterogeneity and underscore the need to preserve both habitat types to support the full life cycle of M. leprosa in Mediterranean ecosystems and suggest potential evolutionary and ecological consequences of habitat-related morphometric and demographic variation.