Author : Kelly Jo Mitchell
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 96 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (15 download)
Book Synopsis Spatial Use and Survivorship of Translocated Wild-caught Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma Cornutum) by : Kelly Jo Mitchell
Download or read book Spatial Use and Survivorship of Translocated Wild-caught Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma Cornutum) written by Kelly Jo Mitchell and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: I conducted a three-year study to evaluate the feasibility of reintroduction of Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum), a state threatened species in Texas that appears to be declining throughout its distribution. Lizards were translocated from natural populations in western Texas to the McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse Wildlife Management Area (MWMA) in the Cross Timbers of central Texas, an ecoregion that has experienced apparent local extirpations of horned lizards. The management area has been owned and operated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department since 2006 and has undergone extensive horned lizard habitat restoration throughout the area. Lizards were moved to the management area following a restoration project directed at improving a section of the MWMA for Texas horned lizards through brush removal. After a ten-day acclimation period and soft release, I tracked horned lizards to evaluate daily movements, spatial use, sources of mortality, reproduction, as well as monitor body condition. Daily movement averages and total area use of individuals were similar to those recorded for wild individuals with peaks in movement occurring between May and June. Survivorship was also similar to that reported from wild populations, although there was a notable decline in survivorship across the three active seasons. Although I observed reproduction each year and body condition of lizards remained mostly stable, mortality of translocated lizards was high, and may ultimately hinder success of reintroduction projects that are not adequately designed.