A population model of the lizard Uta stansburiana in southern Nevada
Population densities, reproduction, and survival of the lizard Uta stansburiana were measured at the Nevada Test Site in southern Nevada, USA, between 1964 and 1974. These data were used to develop a model of the population dynamics of this species. Results of irrigation experiments in 0.4-ha enclosures near Mercury, Nevada, were used to formulate multiple-regression equations predicting frequency and size of clutches laid by two age-classes of females in terms of winter rainfall, March air temperatures and Uta population density. Densities of Uta in these enclosures were manipulated, and age-specific survival modeled in terms of spring densities of Uta. Experiments in which an important predator on Uta (the leopard lizard, Crotaphytus wislizeni) was removed from enclosures were used to estimate the influence of the predator on basic survival rates of hatchling and older Uta. The model was generally developed from data acquired in the small enclosures, but predictions were compared with actual observations of changes in Uta populations in Rock Valley (19 km west of Mercury, Nevada) between 1966 and 1972. The basic model included three density-dependent parameters: clutch frequency, clutch size, and adult survival. It was concluded that processes relating to egg production were modeled more effectively than those influencing survival, and that improvement of the model will depend on more detailed studies of the impact of predation on age-specific survival rates of Uta.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Los Angeles
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00012
- OSTI ID:
- 6517576
- Journal Information:
- Ecol. Monogr.; (United States), Vol. 52:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Interactions between a lizard and its thermal environment: implications for sprint performance and space utilization in the lizard Uta stansburiana
Reproduction by Uta stansburiana (reptilia, lacertilia, iguanidae) in southern Nevada
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
LIZARDS
POPULATION DENSITY
POPULATION DYNAMICS
REPRODUCTION
SURVIVAL TIME
NEVADA TEST SITE
AGE GROUPS
CLIMATES
IRRIGATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEVADA
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
RAIN
SEASONS
ANIMALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
FEDERAL REGION IX
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
REPTILES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
VERTEBRATES
550100* - Behavioral Biology
510100 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)