Range structure, microhabitat use, and activity patterns of the saxicolous lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae) on a rock outcrop in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Although Tropidurus is a widely distributed lizard genus in South America and the Galapagos Islands, studies on space use and spatial distribution are scarce. We studied the home range structure of the saxicolous lizard Tropidurus torquatus based on the inland population of a rock outcrop in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Lizards were individually marked and observed during reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Using the minimum convex polygon method, we found that average total range size of males during the reproductive season was larger than that of females, and that both had similar total range sizes in the nonreproductive season. The harmonic mean method showed that males have a larger home range size than that of females during both seasons. As expected for a polygynous species, the average number of males whose total ranges overlapped those of females tended to be higher in the reproductive season than in the nonreproductive season. Intrasexually, the number of females whose total ranges were associated with those of other females was also higher in the reproductive season than in the non-reproductive season. For males, this number remained low in both seasons, suggesting that males use more exclusive areas, whereas the smaller total ranges of females apparently sustain a higher density of individuals during the reproductive season. Frequency of microhabitat use in relation to vegetation increased in the non-reproductive season and the activity patterns of lizards shifted from bimodal in the reproductive season (rainy period) to unimodal in the non-reproductive season (dry period). Thus, the range structure, microhabitat use, and activity patterns of the T. torquatus observed here were all influenced by the time frame affecting their spatial ecology.

Mating behavior and female accompaniment in the whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Squamata, Teiidae) in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil

“…In territorial species, males can occupy territories containing the home ranges of several females, leading to a territorial polygynous mating system (Bull 2000, Ribeiro et al 2009). However, some males may be monogamous if their poorer territories attract fewer females (e.g.…”

Ámbito de Hogar de la lagartija de las lomas Microlophus tigris (Sauria: Tropiduridae) en las Lomas de Carabayllo, Lima – Perú

“…Esto también se refleja en el peso, pues los machos pesaron más que las hembras. Al igual que en Tropidurus tor- quatus (Ribeiro et al 2009), no se encuentra relación entre estas variables con el AH, mientras que en T. itambere (Van Sluys 1997) el tamaño del AH incrementa con la LHC y el peso. Con frecuencia se asume que animales más grandes requieren mayores AH para satisfacer sus requerimientos energéticos (Turner et al 1969), esperando una relación entre la LHC y el peso con el AH.…”

“…El tamaño promedio del AH de individuos machos y hembras de M. tigris es mayor comparado con otros Tropidúridos (Tabla 1), como T. itambere (Van Sluys 1997) y T. torquatus (Giaretta 1996, Ribeiro et al 2009); y algunos Liolaemidos como Liolaemus lutzae (Rocha 1999 quilmes (Halloy & Robles 2002), L. koslowskyi (Frutos & Belver 2007), L. melanops (Pérez et. al.…”

Uso do hábitat, períodos diários de atividade e ecologia térmica de Ameiva ameiva (Squamata: Teiidae) em uma área de caatinga do nordeste do Brasil.

“…Within a lizard population, differences in body sizes of juveniles and adults may influence the ways in which the lizards use space, their diet, thermoregulation, competition, their predators, and home ranges (Vitt 2000). Seasonal variations in a number of extrinsic factors such as rainfall, availability of food resources, and environmental temperatures also produce variations in ecological aspects, such as space use, body temperatures, and daily activity periods, especially in seasonal ecosystems (Pianka 1986, Zaluar and Rocha 2000, Angert et al 2002, Ribeiro et al 2009). …”