Appearance
The lizard is of medium size: the length of the torso of the male without taking into account the length of the tail is about 7 cm, the females about 6 cm [2] . The total length ranges from 15.7 to 16.8 cm [1] . (According to other data, the total body length of the male is 26.8 cm, the females are about 23.8 cm [3] .)
Male and female Microlophus bivittatus
Coloring may vary; In addition, sexual dimorphism is present in adults [1] . The males are painted brown or gray from above, two light stripes go from the neck to the base of the tail, yellowish undertone of the body with an orange tint [1] [2] . In the shoulder area they have a black stripe [3] . Females are also painted in gray-brown tones, but they are distinguished by a yellow tint and orange color of the lower body [2] [4] .
The scales are of medium size, keeled, finding each other (except for the head area, where they are smoother and larger) [5] . In adult males, the dorsal scales form a low ridge running from the nape to the tail [5] .
Lifestyle
Microlophus bivittatus lizards prefer arid areas [5] . They settle at a low altitude and are found in coastal areas, including on rocky beaches and in areas covered with shrubs [4] .
Most of the day lizards bask and feed on stones, but they can also be found on the ground, in the grass, on shrubs, cacti and trees, at an altitude of 4 m [3] . In the hottest time of the day, they hide in the shade, remaining, however, active. The night is spent in the crevices of the rocks, under the fallen leaves, in the grass or on the branches of trees [3] . In case of danger, they also hide in crevices [3] . Both males and females differ in pronounced territorial behavior, protecting their habitat from other lizards of the same sex [5] .
Power
Lizards of this species, like other members of the genus Microlophus , are relatively omnivorous [6] . They feed mainly on ants, but also on moths, crickets, beetles, dragonflies, crabs, centipedes, spiders, worms [3] . Their diet also includes plant food, in particular, the fruits of Bursera graveolens and leaves of Parkinsonia aculeata [6] .
Reproduction
Microlophus bivittatus - oviparous lizards. The mating season and the egg laying period begin in late December - early January [5] (according to other data - in February-March [3] ). In the clutch there are from one to four eggs [3] .
The species was first described by Wilhelm Peters in 1871. Previously, it was attributed to the genus [8] .
The species name bivittatus , reflecting the peculiarity of the appearance of these lizards, is derived from Latin. bi- - "double" and vitta - "tape, bandage" [8] .
In the Red List of Threatened Species, Microlophus bivittatus has the status of a species close to a vulnerable position [9] . The main threat to it are domestic cats introduced to the island. They have not yet inflicted serious damage to the population, and the species remains fairly widespread [3] [10] . In recent years, a decrease in the number of juveniles has been observed, but it is not known whether it is associated with extermination by cats or is explained by natural abundance fluctuations [11] [12] . Because of this, constant monitoring of the population is necessary [13] .
