1/35
  • Home

  • Group photo

  • Registration and Costs

  • Abstract Submission

  • Geronimo Event Center

  • Schedule

  • More

    Urban Ecology of Desert Spiny Lizards

    Goode, Matt

    Brenton, Caitlin

    Cazares, Alexus

    Ginar, Sereena

    Samora, Luiza

    Schiavoni, Andrea

    Smith, Caitlin

     

    School of Natural Resources and the Environment

    University of Arizona

    Tucson, AZ 

    alexuscazares@email.arizona.edu

     

     

    Urban development disrupts wildlife species because it limits the natural habitats that they once inhabited. It is important to understand how the disruption of a natural habitat due to urban development affects different wildlife species, because strides can then be made to create buildings and areas that still cater to the preservation of that wildlife. An urban population of Desert Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus magister) was studied on the University of Arizona campus. We readily observed S. magister to be abundant at several sites, including in the vicinity of Old Main and Yuma Residence Hall. Lizards were captured using a noose attached to a long, telescoping fishing pole. We weighed, measured, determined sex, and obtained temperature and humidity data on all lizards captured. Microchips (PIT-tags) were implanted under the skin of lizards to allow for individual identification. Small, 1.4 gram radio transmitters were attached to the backs of selected lizards, allowing a total of 10 lizards (1female and 9 males) to be radio- tracked from August to October. Individuals will continue to be monitored throughout the year. Up to six different lizards were radio-tracked at a time, with surveys occurring six times per week in the morning, afternoon, and evening. UTM coordinates were recorded using handheld GPS receivers each time a lizard was located. The location data were used to determine activity patterns and home range characteristics, mapping the lizards' movements on Google Earth. On average, the home ranges of the lizards were 1,225.87 square meters, revealing that these lizards do not regularly travel long distances. Our results also indicate that lizards were more active in the summer than in the fall, and that the lizards maintain exceedingly small home ranges. Time was also spent observing their behaviors, such as push-ups and head bobs, which are associated with territoriality. We plan to continue this study throughout the winter and the following year to obtain more data on the urban ecology of S. magister.

    Please reload

    Accepted Abstracts

     

     

     

    Urban Ecology of Desert Spiny Lizards

    Higher Temperature Tolerance in Ectotherms Facing Threats from an Invasive Predator

    Major Features of Lizard Evolution

    Limb Development of a Limbless Skink

    Embryonic Development of the Musculo-skeletal System of the Madagascar Ground Gecko Paroedura pictus

    Thermal Ecophysiology and Vulnerability to Global Climate Change in a Population of Phrynosoma sherbrookei from Guerrero, Mexico

    Distribution of the Gila Monster in Southwestern New Mexico

    Reproductive Phenology, Distribution and Climate Change in Viviparous Phrynosoma: Implications for the Future Thermal Refugia

    Life in the Thornscrub: Movement, Home Range, and Territoriality of the Reticulate Collared Lizard

    Home Range and Habitat Associations of the Spot-Tailed Earless Lizard

    Please reload

    Contact Us or ask a Question

    Copyright 2018, Biology of Lizards, all rights reserved 
    email smithcf@wofford.edu  for usage information 
    Logo design, Website design, and content: Chuck Smith 
    Website development:
    Chuck Smith

    photo credits: Will Wells and Jack Goldfarb

    ​

    Completed registration forms: admins only