ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS: HabitatNet: A Global Biodiversity Monitoring Project

Counting Ground-Dwelling Lizard Populations in Three Different Habitats

RESEARCHERS: Anne Clifton-Waite, Don Engelbert, Kate Melanson

I. Purpose: To count ground-dwelling lizard populations in three different habitats.

II. Procedures: Establish 30 meter transect line in each habitat, divide into three 10 meter segments. (1 for each observer). Record each sighting by species during a 30 minute time period.

Materials: flags, tape measure, watch

Results:

Lizard Sightings by Habitat
Forest Site 1
Mixed Savannah Site 2
Disturbed Road Site 3
Time of Day
4:45 PM
3:30 AM
11:30 AM
Weather Conditions
90 F Clear
90 F Partly Cloudy
80 F Mixed Sun, Rain
Species
Spiny Lizard

Scaloporus chysosticus

0
0
5
Whiptail Lizard

Cneuldophorus angusticeps

1
0
1
Ameiva

Ameiva undulata

0
0
0
Basiliscus

Basiliscus vittatus

0
0
0



IV. General Observations

Forest: Although clear sunlight levels were low; no optimum basking area.

Mixed Savannah: Seemed to be optimal time and sunlight - cannot explain why no sightings.

Disturbed Road: Good mix of rock substrate and tree cover. Sightings occurred in sun and rain but NOT under cloudy conditions. Six times as many sightings as from Site 1, the forest.

*Animals (lizards) are elusive, fast, and well camouflaged and, therefore, difficult to site.

Questions Generated

  1. What are ideal weather conditions for sighting ground-dwelling lizards?

  2. What is the best procedure for studying ground-dwelling lizards?

  3. What do these lizards eat and where are these organisms located?

  4. Who are their predators and where are they found? (Is predation heavier in open savannah than in the other two habitats?)

  5. Has the white stony road created a favorable artificial habitat for some species, in particular the spiny lizard?

Return to Individual Project Pages