Topic
Uracentron
About: Uracentron is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2 publications have been published within this topic receiving 29 citations.
Papers
1 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Observations on the composition of social groups within single trees suggests that the breeding system is a resource-based polygyny and sexual dimorphism in limb length does not translate into differences in performance.
Abstract: We studied a population of Tropidurus flaviceps during the wet season in Amazonian lowland rain forest of eastern Ecuador. The lizards were strictly arboreal with activity occurring throughout much of the day on surfaces of trunks and limbs of the tree Macrolobium acaciaefolium within a large lagoon. Lizards retreated into cavities within the limbs and trunks, and the presence of cavities appeared to be a requirement for the presence of more than one lizard on a tree. Mean body temperature of active individuals was 31.2 ? 0.6 C, and lizards in the shade had lower body temperatures than lizards in the sun. The diet consisted primarily of ants. There was a correlation between prey size and lizard size, but there was no difference in either prey size or the number of prey eaten between the sexes. Clutch size is two eggs, the reproductive season is extended, and there is evidence that females produce more than one clutch per season. Sexual dimorphism exists in morphological characteristics, and observations on the composition of social groups within single trees suggests that the breeding system is a resource-based polygyny. Sexual dimorphism in limb length does not translate into differences in performance.
16 citations
TL;DR: Tvopidums azureus werneri showed notable agility and tended toward more active foraging patterns than found in other tropidurid lizards and the prey spectrum was dominated by ants.
Abstract: We studied habitat use, activity patterns, foraging mode, and prey spectrum of Tropidurus azureus werneri using a tower crane located in an Amazonian lowland rain forest in southern Venezuela. The lizards were strictly arboreal with a preference for the branches and twigs of the canopy. The horizontal distribution of lizards within the 1.4-ha study area was clustered and remained remarkably stable during two consecutive years. The lizards favored high and well-structured crowns with tree holes that served as shelters during the night. Activity was highest at air temperatures above 28°C measured at a height of 21 m. Activity patterns were influenced by cloud Cover and insolation. Tvopidums azureus werneri showed notable agility and tended toward more active foraging patterns than found in other tropidurid lizards. The prey spectrum was dominated by ants.
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |