Ecological observations on Anolis lionotus and Anolis poecilopus (Reptilia, Sauria) in Panama. American Museum novitates ; no. 2516
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Date
1973
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New York, N.Y. : American Museum of Natural History
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Abstract
"Anolis lionotus and A. poecilopus were studied in central Panama during most of an annual cycle. Both species are semiaquatic, utilizing the borders of streams in heavy forest, with A. poecilopus occurring only in permanent streams of the Pacific side and A. lionotus in permanent or intermittent streams of the Caribbean side of the region studied. Few ecological differences were noted between the species, the ability of Anolis lionotus to utilize intermittent streams being the most significant. Reproduction in both species living in streams with continuous flow appears to be continuous throughout the year; a suggestion of cessation during the dry season was noted in A. lionotus populations inhabiting intermittent streams. Growth and mark-recapture data for A. poecilopus indicate it to be an annual species, reaching sexual maturity in two months after hatching with a growth rate of 0.3-0.48 mm./day. Population density estimates for both species range from 1/10 m[superscript]2-1/45 m[superscript]2 in the wet season to 1/40 m[superscript]2-1/75 m[superscript]2 in the dry season. Variation in the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor appeared to be the dominant factor influencing densities and distribution of the species along the streams, highly insolated areas not being frequented. The primary behavioral adaptations to a semiaqautic niche appear to be the positive orientation to the stream side area and the use of the aquatic phase in the escape behaviors. Both species might be considered 'specialists' in the restriction of their activities to a narrow portion of the available habitat but 'generalists' in the breadth of their utilization of the resources within this zone"--P. [1].
Description
29 p. : ill., map ; 24 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29).
Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29).
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