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Correlation between size and home range of Agama agama africana

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Summary:
Agama agama africana is a lizard originally found in sub-Saharan Africa. Typically, it is found in urban and suburban areas and certain wildlands of Africa. This lizard was first noted in 1983 in Florida by L. D. William and L. Portis. It is believed that the Florida populations of these lizards are a result of intentional release and from damage done to exotic reptile businesses during Hurricane Andrew. Other researchers have documented that this species of lizard has a territory range that it aggressively defends against when other males challenge the territory. The behavior of the lizard was the focus for this study. Data was collected in areas throughout Jensen Beach and Stuart, Florida where populations are prevalent. Five males of A. a. africana were caught, marked with nail polished, and measured. Once released, three of these males and one uncaught male were observed from a distance while their movement and activity were recorded. Measurements were then taken of the lizards’ movement and the total area was calculated using an online irregular polygon calculator. Due to the small sample size, the results were inconclusive for a relationship between lizard size and home range area.
Title: Correlation between size and home range of Agama agama africana.
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Name(s): Matthew Vajanyi, Author
Robin Willoughby, Ph.D., Editor
Type of Resource: text
Frequency: Semiannual
Publisher: IRSC Department of Biological Sciences
Place of Publication: Fort Pierce
Physical Form: Abstract
Language(s): English
Summary: Agama agama africana is a lizard originally found in sub-Saharan Africa. Typically, it is found in urban and suburban areas and certain wildlands of Africa. This lizard was first noted in 1983 in Florida by L. D. William and L. Portis. It is believed that the Florida populations of these lizards are a result of intentional release and from damage done to exotic reptile businesses during Hurricane Andrew. Other researchers have documented that this species of lizard has a territory range that it aggressively defends against when other males challenge the territory. The behavior of the lizard was the focus for this study. Data was collected in areas throughout Jensen Beach and Stuart, Florida where populations are prevalent. Five males of A. a. africana were caught, marked with nail polished, and measured. Once released, three of these males and one uncaught male were observed from a distance while their movement and activity were recorded. Measurements were then taken of the lizards’ movement and the total area was calculated using an online irregular polygon calculator. Due to the small sample size, the results were inconclusive for a relationship between lizard size and home range area.
Identifier: irsc_s_b_p0005 (IID)
Subject(s): Biology--Research
Agama
Lizard populations
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/irsc/fd/irsc_s_b_p0005
Host Institution: IRSC
Has Part: Volume 2. Proceedings of the IRSC Department of Biological Sciences.