Biology

Spatial distribution and habitat utilization of the Zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Spatial distribution patterns of animals are shaped by their ecology and can give insights into their habitat use and behavioral interactions. Most methods used to study spatial distribution, including quadrat sampling, and nearest-neighbor distance analyses have been used primarily with sessile organisms. We used nearest-neighbor distances to look at the spatial distribution of the Zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) in the Rillito Wash in Tucson, Arizona, and to determine whether these distances gave meaningful results when used with a mobile lizard. We hypothesized that spatial distributions would be random for both sexes but would differ between juveniles and adults because of differences in dominance between these groups. We recorded individuals' locations using a GPS and collected data on sex, age group, substrate, distance to nearest vegetation, and percent vegetation cover at each individual's location. Males and females were distributed randomly, whereas juveniles were distributed regularly. Juveniles were closer to one another than to adults, and females were closer to one another than they were to males, or than males were to one another. Juveniles inhabited areas with less vegetation cover than adults, which may represent marginal habitats. All individuals were distributed in a clustered manner. A lack of difference in spatial distribution between males and females may be a result of abundant resources and subordinate, nonreproducing males. The study occurred at the end of the breeding season, which may also have contributed to the lack of difference. We show that nearest-neighbor distance methods can give meaningful results when used with mobile organisms and can complement ecological studies, including more focused markrecapture approaches. Copyright © 2012 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Publication Title

Journal of Herpetology

Publication Date

6-1-2012

Volume

46

Issue

2

First Page

203

Last Page

208

ISSN

0022-1511

DOI

10.1670/10-267

Keywords

Animalia, Callisaurus, Callisaurus draconoides, Squamata, lizards

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