An experimental manipulation of food and water: growth and time-space utilization of hatchling lizards (Sceloporus undulatus).

At a site in western Nebraska, we studied the effects of supplemental food and water on growth, survival, and habitat utilization of hatchling iguanid lizards, Sceloporus undulatus. Hatchlings were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups and received either (1) supplemental food only, (2) supplemental water only, (3) supplemental food and water, or (4) neither supplemental food nor water (control). Neither supplemental food nor supplemental water affected growth rate in length, growth rate in mass, or size-specific body mass (i.e. robustness) at the end of the treatment period. Over the 45 day treatment pierod, there were no significant differences among treatment groups in survival, home-range size, or habitat utilization. There were, however, significant differences in the index of activity. Hatchlings in the treatment groups receiving supplemental water were sighted more often than hatchlings in the control group. We conclude that, during our study, neither food nor water limited growth but that water limited activity.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes