Meeting Abstract

102.6  Tuesday, Jan. 7 09:15  Beyond lethality—use of thermal resources under the perceived risk of predation RUSCH, T/W*; SEARS, M/W; RAY, G/F; MERLINO, T/L; ANGILLETTA, M/J; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; Clemson University, Clemson, SC; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ trusch@asu.edu

When resources become concentrated in space, the perceived risk of predation can prevent prey from accessing those resources. We studied both the movement and thermoregulation of male lizards (Sceloporus jarrovi) under perceived risk in spatially explicit landscapes. In a previous study, male lizards thermoregulated more accurately in landscapes with patchy distributions of shade compared to landscapes with clumped distributions. But would this result hold in the presence of a predator? To test this idea, males were placed outdoor arenas (20 x 20 m) with either a clumped or patchy distribution of shade and exposed to an artificial aerial predator (Buteo jamaicensis). Predation risk was simulated by flying models on zip lines over the arenas. As a control, other lizards experienced the same landscapes with no artificial predation risk. We predicted that lizards would be more active and would thermoregulate best in patchy environments with no risk of predation. We will report the interactive effects between thermal landscapes and predation risk on the movements and accuracy of thermoregulation by lizards.