Territorial Behavior and Population Regulation in the Lizards, Anolis acutus and A. cristatellus
Philibosian R. 1975. Territorial Behavior and Population Regulation in the Lizards, Anolis acutus and A. cristatellus. Copeia. 1975(3):428-444
Two allopatric and ecologically similar species of lizards, Anolis cristatellus and A. acutus, exist at two different population densities. A. cristatellus has a lower density and larger territory size than has A. acutus. Field tests were performed involving the relocation of animals to new sites, removal of animals from an area, replacement of removed animals, addition of territory surface area to a habitat, and removal of territory surface area. Experimentally increasing the density of A. cristatellus did not result in a decrease of territory size. Death rates of lizards caged at various densities were highest for A. cristatellus at densities usual for A. acutus. It is concluded that A. cristatellus requires a larger minimum territory than does A. acutus. The territory requirement usually limits the A. cristatellus population density on a tree, and is less often in effect to limit the per tree density of A. acutus. It is suggested that the territory requirement of A. cristatellus limits the density of the breeding population.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Philibosian, Richard
- Units
- VIIS
- Keywords
- Animal Behavior, Animal Studies, Crested anole (Anolis cristatellus), Population Density, St. Croix anole (Anolis acutus), St. John, Territoriality, US Virgin Islands