Behavioral implications of mechanistic ecology II: the African rainbow lizard, Agama agama

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Copeia; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1443867· OSTI ID:6639703

Porter, W P; James, F C

The daily and seasonal activity of the African rainbow lizard, Agama agama is predicted in terms of heat transfer models for the microenvironment and the lizard. The models, originally developed for the temperate Mohave Desert and for the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, have been refined and are applicable to a tropical area and a tropical species. Field microclimate measurements and observations of lizard activity and food consumption by different sizes of lizards are consistent with these models. Environmental constraints on activity times, sun vs shade locations, height above the ground and postures are described. The sensitivity of the metabolic predictions to different maximum temperature preferences and behavioral options are discussed. The balance between maintenance energy savings via lower thermoregulatory temperatures and time available in different parts of the microenvironment are examined. A simple predator-prey interaction illustrates the substantial effect of climate in modifying amount of time both prey and predator would be expected to be active simultaneously in the tropics vs a temperate desert. Comparisons are made between A. agama and the desert iguana, D. dorsalis for daily and seasonal maintenance requirements and their implications for seasonal changes in growth and reproductive potential.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 6639703
• Journal Information: Copeia; (United States), Vol. 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
LIZARDS
BEHAVIOR
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
CLIMATES
FOOD
FORECASTING
GROWTH
REPRODUCTION
SENSITIVITY
SPECIES DIVERSITY
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TIME DEPENDENCE
VISIBLE RADIATION
ANIMALS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
RADIATIONS
REPTILES
VERTEBRATES
550100* - Behavioral Biology
510100 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)