Behavioral ecology of the Puerto Rican giant lizard (Anolis cuvieri): Home range and movement patterns in the Cambalache State Forest

Radiotelemetry was used to find out the patterns of movements and home range of the Anolis cuvieri Merrem in the Cambalache State Forest of Puerto Rico. Twelve adult lizards (7 males and 5 females) were fitted with transmitters, modifying the implantation method of Losos, Gannon, Pfeiffer and Wade. An average home range area for males was 274.37 m{dollar}sp2{dollar} (SD = 161.11), whereas females average home range was 88.59 m{dollar}sp2{dollar} (SD = 72.86) using the minimum convex polygon method. A maximum density of 36.45 males and 112.88 females per hectare was calculated using the home range area as non-overlapping areas. During the study, behavioral analysis were carried out using the radio-tracked lizards as focal animals in the field. Preliminary activity budget of behavioral analysis showed that the most common event are the eye movement, and the sit-and-wait was the strategy used for search and prey capture. Habitat analysis was performed using the plot method and the point-quarter method (using radio tracking locality as center point). The most important vegetational component for male home range areas were Casearia guianensis, Eugenia biflora, Eugenia monticola, and Faramea occidentalis. For females, the most important vegetational component in their home range areas were Coccoloba diversifolia, Neea buxifolia, Ocotea coriacea, Faramea occidentalis and Gymnanthes lucida. Habitat analysis and home range data suggests that there are intersexual differences in habitat use and home range size in this species. Males in general have bigger home range areas in order to overlap a greater number of female's home range areas (shown by the greater number of plants species in male home ranges when they overlap different female's areas); whereas female home ranges are probably maximizing for food availability. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...