Reassessing Lizard Community Assemblages in Big Bend National Park
Leavitt DJ. Reassessing Lizard Community Assemblages in Big Bend National Park. Sul Ross State University. Alpine, TX
A lizard census established in 1955 by Dr. William G. Degenhardt in Big Bend National Park, Texas was reinvestigated in 2005. Using the original study quadrats and methods established by Degenhardt, a lizard/acre index was determined and compared to previous survey years. Overall, the lizard/acre numbers were lower in 2005 when compared to the last time the quadrats were run in 1969. Within quadrats where Cophosaurus texanus had been present up to1969, there has been a decrease to the point of absence for some quadrats. The Aspidoscelis gularis septemvittata per-acre index number increased on both high elevation quadrats (Green Gulch 1, Green Gulch 2). Lizard assemblage similarity is highest in the Tornillo quadrat and lowest in the Green Gulch 1 quadrat, when comparing 2005 to previous surveys. Percent vegetative cover was measured and found to have increased with all quadrats. The data suggests lizard composition and density are both at least partially dependant upon changes in vegetative cover.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Leavitt, Daniel
- Publisher
- Sul Ross State University
- Units
- BIBE
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Communities, Herpetology, Lizard, Reptiles/Amphibians, Threatened-Endangered-Sensitive Animals