Digestive Efficiency of the Omnivorous Lizard Klauberina riversiana
Johnson RN and Lillywhite HB. 1979. Digestive Efficiency of the Omnivorous Lizard Klauberina riversiana. Copeia. 1979(3):431-437
The digestive and assimilation efficiencies of the omnivorous xantusiid lizard Klauberina riversiana were determined in two experiments: in one, animals were fed mealworms, in the other, animals were fed apples. The mean digestive and assimilation efficiencies of those fed mealworms were 93% and 85%, respectively. The corresponding efficiencies for those fed apples were 89% and 88%. These efficiencies are comparable to those found for other insectivorous lizards, and are higher than those found in many mammals. Based on morphological characters, Klauberina appear to be basically insectivorous lizards which also utilize and digest vegetation. Klauberina is one of the larger species in its family, but is considerably smaller than other lizards reported to be herbivorous or omnivorous.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Johnson, R; Lillywhite, H
- Units
- CHIS
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Channel Islands CA, Digestion, Island Night Lizard (Xantusia riversiana)