22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Natural History of Sceloporus undulatus at Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area, Colorado
Anthony J. Wilmes*, Laura K. Garey, Andrea M. Grelle, and Shane M. Wright
Dr. Michael I. Kelrick and Dr. Chad Montgomery, Faculty Mentors
From July 28 to August 9, 2008 we examined a population of fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus, from a prairie-canyon rim ecotone at Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area, Baca County, CO. We captured 29 individuals for morphometric data analysis. Morphometric data showed no significant difference in adult snout vent length (SVL) between males and females. However, maximum length was greater for males than females. There was no significant effect of sex on the relationship of mass and SVL. Male mass averaged 9.06 g while females averaged 8.14 g. Observed activity was primarily related to thermoregulatory behaviors, lizards basked during midmorning and early afternoon, and abandoning activity during midday. Gut contents were examined to determine the diet of both adults and juveniles. Individuals of family Formicidae and order Araneae were most prevalent in juvenile stomachs. Adults contained a variety of insects from orders Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera.
Keywords: S. undulatus, Natural History, Colorado, Biology, Herpetology, Fence lizards
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 21-3
Location: VH 1408
Time: 10:15