the population structure of the aruban whiptail lizard
TRANSCRIPT
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The Population Structure of the
Aruban Whiptail Lizard,
Cnemidophorus arubensis
Lauretta M. Bushar1, Benjamin J. B. Reinert2, Laura M. Y.Reinert2, Quinn W. Reinert2,
and Howard K. Reinert3
1Department of Biology, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038
USA
2New Hope Solebury School District, New Hope, Pennsylvania 18938, USA
3Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey
08628, USA
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The Whiptail Lizard or Kododo
(Cnemidophorus arubensis)
The most abundant of Aruba’s lizards
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The Whiptail Lizard or Kododo
(Cnemidophorus arubensis)
The most abundant of Aruba’s lizards
Plays an important role in the island ecosystem
Consumes a variety of plants and some insects
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The Whiptail Lizard or Kododo
(Cnemidophorus arubensis)
The most abundant of Aruba’s lizards
Play an important role in the island ecosystem
Consume a variety of plants and some insects
Participates in plant distribution by spreading seeds from
ingested fruits
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The Whiptail Lizard or Kododo
(Cnemidophorus arubensis)
The most abundant of Aruba’s lizards
Play an important role in the island ecosystem
Consume a variety of plants and some insects
Participate in plant distribution by spreading seeds from ingested
fruits
Serves as a food source for a variety of predators including the
Cascabel (Crotalus durissus unicolor),
the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia
arubensis) and the Kestrel (Falco
sparverius brevipennis)
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In 2006, a lizard population study
was performed in limestone plateau
(baranca) habitat
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Purpose: To estimate lizard
population density and to involve
three children, ages 6 though 12, in
an educational experience
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A 40 m X 40 m grid was measured
and plotted
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25 aluminum Sherman live traps
placed at 10 m intervals and baited
with cheese balls
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Traps were checked within 16
hours of baiting
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All captured lizards were marked,
weighed, and identified as to
species and sex.
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Three species were commonly
seen at the study site:• Kododo or Aruban Whiptail, Cnemidophorus arubensis
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Three species were commonly
seen at the study site:• Kododo or Aruban Whiptail, Cnemidophorus arubensis
• Koffie du lechi, Ameiva bifrontata
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Three species were commonly
seen at the study site:• Kododo or Aruban Whiptail, Cnemidophorus arubensis
• Koffie du lechi, Ameiva bifrontata
• Waltaca, Anolis lineatus
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In our study in 2006, 4 Ameiva
bifrontata and 50 Cnemidophorus
arubensis were caught during a total
of 325 trapping nights No lizards were re-captured
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We compare our results to a
study performed in 1994
Year Trap nights Total grid sizeTraps per
hectare
2006 325 0.16 ha 156.25
1994 216 0.96 ha 25
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In our study in 2006, we caught
fewer C. arubensis and none were
recaptured
YearCnemidophor
us arubensis
C.
arubensis
recaptured
Ameiva
bifrontata
A.
bifrontata
recaptured
Anolis
lineatus
A. lineatus
recaptured
C.
arubensis
per trap
night
200
650 0 4 0 0 0 0.154
199
497
18
recapture
d;
2
recapture
d three
times
each
5
1
recaptured
three
times
1 0 0.449
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The study in 1994 was able to
estimate C. arubensis density from
the recapture data
Year Trap nightsTotal grid
size
Traps per
hectare
C. arubensis per
trap night
C. arubensis per
hectare
2006 325 0.16 ha 156.25 0.154 Not calculated
1994 216 0.96 ha 25 0.449
155
C. arubensis /ha
(CI = 129 to 175
lizards/ha)
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Summary In both studies, C. arubensis was the most commonly
trapped lizard
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Summary In both studies, C. arubensis was the most commonly
trapped lizard
Fewer C. arubensis were captured per trap night in 2006
compared to 1994
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Summary
In both studies, C. arubensis was the most commonly trapped lizard
Fewer C. arubensis were captured per trap night in 2006 compared to 1994.
These differences may be due to
A decrease in C. arubensis density This could be due to predation by the invasive Boa
constrictor which was not known to be on Aruba in 1994
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Summary In both studies, C. arubensis was the most commonly
trapped lizard
Fewer C. arubensis were captured per trap night in 2006
compared to 1994.
These differences may be due to
A decrease in C. arubensis density
This could be due to predation by the invasive Boa constrictor which
was not known to be on Aruba in 1994
Differences in trapping strategy
The traps used in 1994 were wooden and had a clear plastic
window at the opposite end, while the traps used in 2006 were
aluminum and had no clear window. Lizards may have been less
likely to enter the aluminum traps
The 2006 study set 25 traps in a 0.16 ha area, while the 1994 study
set 24 traps in a 0.96 ha area.
Different sites were trapped in 2006 and 1994, so there may be
spatial variability in C. arubensis distribution.
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Educational experiences
Children learned To identify a variety of
different lizards
To take bearings using a
sighting compass
An understanding of
ecological principles
A greater appreciation of
nature
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Educational experiences
Children applied mathematical skills to a real-life problem Making grids
Taking measurements (distance, mass)
Using degrees (when taking a bearing)
Estimating
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
C. Baird, K. Dukes, M. Gallagher, and K. Naklicki participated in the 1994 trapping study
Jan Piet Bekker provided the traps used in the 1994 study
We thank the rangers and staff of Arikok National Park
We greatly appreciate the support of the veterinarians and staff of the Aruba Veterinaire Dienst, especially T. J. M. Wools, P. Barendsen and E. R. de Cuba
We would not be working in Aruba without the help and support of R.A. Odum.
Our work on Aruba is performed with the permission of the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries, and we thank T. Damian (Director), P. Portier, and F. Franken for their consistent help in so many ways in making our efforts successful.
We are grateful for the help and support of the late Tom Barmes.
Funding and support for this project was provided by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria, Coastal Oil Corporation, ESSO Petrolera, S.A., the Toledo Zoological Society, and The College of New Jersey
Holiday Inn, La Cabana Resorts, and MetaCorp generously provided housing.