Ecology of the fringe-toed lizard, Uma notata, in Arizona's Mohawk Dunes

Abstract

Uma notata in the Mohawk Dunes had population densities in good habitat of 15-17 lizards/ha. Testis volumes peaked in April-May and declined to low levels by August. Egg production peaked in May during 1995 but did not occur in spring 1996. Minimum convex polygon home range estimates were 530 (±70 SE) m² for 2 adult males and 228 (±82) m² for 8 adult females. Adjusted for sample size bias, these estimates were 994 (±422) and 774 (±302) m², respectively. Subadults had smaller home ranges. Uma notata actively used perennial plants as escape cover, preferentially selecting Ambrosia dumosa. I found significant use of plant materials in Uma notata diet with both ontogenetic and seasonal shifts in proportions of plant items. Their diet included 65 taxa of arthropods from 39 families, along with 13 plant species in 7 families. I also studied survival rates, tail loss, substrate selection, and thermal effects.