Ecological Observations of the Lizard, Xenosaurus grandis in Cuautlapan, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Observations on the ecology of Xenosaurus grandis near Cuautlapan, Veracruz revealed that this rarely studied lizard is locally abundant in crevices of boulders in perennial tropical forest. Individuals are solitary and highly aggressive when placed together. A diurnally active thermal conformer, body temperatures (average = 22.7?C) correlate with both substrate and air temperatures and basking was not observed. Upper thermal limits (CTM) averaged 37.4?C. Food consisted primarily of insects by volume (Lepidoptera larvae and Orthoptera predominated), but occasional lizard prey are taken. RESUMEN Observaciones ecologicas de Xenosaurus grandis en las cercanias de Cuautlapan, Veracruz, muestran que este lagarto poco estudiado abunda localmente en las grietas de rocas del bosque tropical perenne. Al ser juntados, los individuos son solitarios y muy agresivos. Siendo diurnos y conformistas termales, sus temperaturas corporales (promedio = 22.70C) estan correlacionadas con las temperaturas del substrato y del aire, y no se observo las lagartillas tomando sol. Los limites termales superiores (CTM) promedian 37.4?C. Su alimento consisto principalmente (por volumen) en insectos (predominantemente larvas de Lepidopteros y Ortopteros), aunque ocasionalmente otros largartos son consumidos.