Foraging under the risk of predation in desert grassland whiptail lizards (Aspidoscelis uniparens)

The whiptail lizard Aspidoscelis uniparens searches for fossorial prey using a series of moves and pauses punctuated by bouts of digging. We examined the effect of predation risk on foraging A. uniparens in outdoor enclosures, observing their behavior in the presence and absence of the predatory liz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethology 2008-05, Vol.26 (2), p.219-223
Main Authors: Eifler, Douglas A, Eifler, Maria A, Harris, Bethany R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal behavior
Animal Ecology
Animal ethology
Aspidoscelis uniparens
Behavioral Sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
deserts
Evolutionary Biology
foraging
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gambelia wislizenii
grasslands
Lacertilia
Life Sciences
lizards
predator-prey relationships
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Zoology
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Summary:The whiptail lizard Aspidoscelis uniparens searches for fossorial prey using a series of moves and pauses punctuated by bouts of digging. We examined the effect of predation risk on foraging A. uniparens in outdoor enclosures, observing their behavior in the presence and absence of the predatory lizard Gambelia wislizenii. Predator presence led to changes in activity patterns and foraging behavior. When predators were present, A. uniparens reduced both the proportion of time active and time moving, shifted activity periods, reduced their movement rate, and changed the duration of moves. There were no apparent changes in digging effort, but the likelihood of successfully digging for food decreased when a predator was present.
ISSN:1439-5444
0289-0771
1439-5444
DOI:10.1007/s10164-007-0053-0