Effects of Radiation on a Fenced Population of Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) in Southern Nevada
Medica PA, Turner FB, Smith DD. 1973. Effects of Radiation on a Fenced Population of Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) in Southern Nevada. Journal of Herpetology. 7(2):79-85
Between 1964 and 1966 minimum spring densities of horned lizards (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) were measured in 3 8 ha fenced enclosures in Rock Valley, Nevada. Survival of hatchling lizards to 8 months was about 26-38 percent; survival of older lizards was 50-60 percent. One of the enclosures was subjected to continuous gamma irradiation and between 1964 and 1966 numbers of horned lizards generally declined during this time period in all three plots. Between 1967 and 1970 the numbers of horned lizards increased in the two control enclosures and continued to decline in the irradiated plot. Female sterility by regression of ovaries because of irradiation is thought to be the cause of the population decline.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Medica, Philip; Turner, Frederick; Smith, Donald
- Units
- MOJA
- Keywords
- Abundance (Biodiversity), Cnemidophorus tigris, Crotaphytus wislizenii, Distribution (Biodiversity), enclosures, gamma irradiation, hatchling, leopard lizards, Nevada Test Site, Observations, Presence (Biodiversity), Rock Valley, Taxa Links To References, Uta stansburiana, whiptail lizards