Meeting Abstract

93.2  Friday, Jan. 7  Ectoparasite Load and Territorial Behavior in Green Anole Lizards (Anolis carolinensis) SPARKS, M.N.*; LEWIS, C.M.; JOHNSON, M.A.; Trinity University msparks1@trinity.edu

Parasite loads can vary extensively among individuals within or between populations. This variation could be associated with differences in host behavior, and for territorial animals, parasites could affect an animal’s ability to effectively defend a territory. Little research has focused on the ecology of lizards and their parasite loads, particularly among territorial species. Here, we examined associations among ectoparasite load, territory size, and locomotor behavior for three subpopulations of the green anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis. These subpopulations occurred in differing habitats (palmetto forest, open field, and along a maintained trail) within Palmetto State Park in Gonzales, Texas. Across these habitats, the incidence of trombiculid mites on lizards (n = 149) varies from 2% (forest), 21% (field), and 46% (trail). We estimated territory size using adaptive kernels for 67 lizards (average = 22 lizards per habitat), and performed behavioral observations on 90 individuals for a total of 127 hours. Results showed that while locomotor behavior did not vary among the habitats, lizards of both sexes have smaller territories in habitats with greater ectoparasite incidence. Further, across all habitats, both males and females with higher ectoparasite loads defend smaller territories than those with lower loads, but ectoparasite load was not associated with rates of locomotion. These results indicate that a negative relationship exists between territory size and ectoparasite load, suggesting that ectoparasites may have a strong influence on the ecology and social dynamics of their hosts.