Observations on Microhabitat Use and Activity Patterns in Sitana ponticeriana (Sauria: Agamidae)

Arttatrana Pal, Mitali Madhusmita Swain, Swapnananda Rath

Abstract


Microhabitat use and activity patterns of Sitana ponticeriana were observed in their natural habitat over two consecutive years at Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa, India. Lizards perched above the ground, mainly on herbaceous vegetation, sandy areas, cracks and crevices and small shrubs/bushes of the canopy. During the morning and late afternoon, the lizards favored herbaceous vegetation, and during early afternoon used a variety of microhabitats including shrubs/bushes, cracks and crevices, and root of the trees. Lizards were sighted in large numbers during morning and late afternoon. Sightings declined in the early afternoon with rise in ambient temperature. Daily activity patterns of all lizard size classes typically involved basking in the morning hours followed by foraging, moving and other activities. S. ponticeriana was found to be active foragers with frequent wandering movement. Foraging behavior did not vary significantly between males and females, whereas juveniles foraged near their retreats.

Keywords


activity pattern; ambient temperature; foraging activity; microhabitat use; Sitana ponticeriana

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2010-17-1-22-30

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