Abstract: Substrate type is an important factor affecting the locomotor performance of lizards, but empirical evidence is scarce. We compared the sprint speeds and morphological indices of Phrynocephalus helioscopus on substrates with different properties, including gravel, clay, and sand. We found no significant differences in sprint speed or sprint sensitivity among different substrate types. However, the sprint performance of P. helioscopus was correlated with morphological indices, which were affected by substrate properties. On substrates with larger substance gap lengths, widths, and areas, such as large gravel, we detected a significant negative correlation between the toe length (digit Ⅰ of the hand and digit III of the feet) of P. helioscopus and its maximum sprint speed (P<0.05). On substrates with a smaller proportion of supporting area such as midsized gravel, there was a significant negative correlation between the hind limb length of P. helioscopus and its maximum sprint speed (P<0.05). We found significant positive correlation between the length of digit IV of the hand of P. helioscopus and its maximum sprint speed on substrates with smaller substance gap lengths, widths, and areas or those with larger proportions of supporting area such as small gravel (P<0.05). In conclusion, the similar levels of performance on different types of substrate suggest that P. helioscopus follows the “jack of all trades and master of none” locomotor strategy.

Key words: microbial enhanced oil recovery, protoplast fusion, anaerobic biosurfactantproducing bacteria, lipopeptide.