| Type of Document |
Master's Thesis |
| Author |
Roberts, Amy A.
|
| URN |
etd-06282007-142826 |
| Title |
Habitat preferences of the eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, in southwestern Virginia |
| Degree |
Master of Science |
| Department |
Biology |
| Advisory Committee |
| Advisor Name |
Title |
| Andrews, Robin M. |
Committee Chair |
| Haas, Carola A. |
Committee Member |
| Stauffer, Dean F. |
Committee Member |
|
| Keywords |
- GIS
- AIC
- fence lizard
- Sceloporus undulatus
- habitat
|
| Date of Defense |
2007-05-04 |
| Availability |
unrestricted |
Abstract
Habitat preference of the eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, was investigated in southwestern Virginia. Habitat features were measured at 158 lizard-centered plots and at paired random plots. Landscape-level variables, southerly aspect and mixed forest type, distinguished lizard-centered from random sites. Hatchlings were associated with relatively high temperature at perch height (23 °C), relatively high amounts (per 1- m2) of coarse woody debris (15%) and bare ground (15%), and relatively low amount of litter (34%). Adults and juveniles were associated with a relatively high number of rocks (22 per 0.01 hectare) and amount of coarse woody debris (9% per 1- m2). Habitat preferences were modeled with a Geographic Information System (GIS) using landscape-level variables and with logistic regression and Akaike’s Information Criterion using site-level variables. The best-fitting site-level model for adults/juveniles included % CWD. The best-fitting model for hatchlings included % CWD and number of rocks, and the second best-fitting model also included % litter. Landscape (both classes) and site-level models (adult/juveniles only) were tested at 15 GIS-predicted “suitable” study areas and at 15 GIS-predicted “unsuitable” areas. Site-level models for hatchlings were tested with independent data collected at two study areas. Sixteen lizards were found at “suitable” areas and one at an “unsuitable” area; the GIS-based model was a good predictor of lizard presence at the landscape level. The best-fitting site-level models for adults/juveniles and hatchlings were poor predictors of lizard presence while the second best-fitting hatchling model was a good predictor of hatchling presence.
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| Files |
| Filename |
Size |
Approximate Download Time
(Hours:Minutes:Seconds)
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| 28.8 Modem |
56K Modem |
ISDN (64 Kb) |
ISDN (128 Kb) |
Higher-speed Access |
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ETDrevised2.pdf |
3.02 Mb |
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