Relative Movements of Lizards in Natural Populations as Determined from Recapture Radii

Abstract

The mean recapture radius has been shown to be an accurate measure of the degree of movements in populations of the lizard Uta stansburiana. It is relatively constant for differing numbers of captures, different numbers of individuals, different years in the same study area and for different periods of time. It is sensitive to density with which it varies inversely. Differences in the mean recapture radii for males and females of 4 populations of Uta stansburiana are presented and discussed. Differences between these populations were particularly correlated to differences in the social behavior of this species in different parts of its range.