Spatial Use and Survivorship of Translocated Wild‐Caught Texas Horned Lizards. Issue 1 (17th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Kelly J.; Erxleben, Devin R.; Rains, Nathan D.; Martin, James C.; Mathewson, Heather A.; Meik, Jesse M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of wildlife management. Volume 84:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2019-10-17
• Subjects: daily movements -- horned lizard -- Phrynosoma cornutum -- reintroduction -- spatial use -- survivorship -- Texas -- translocation; Wildlife management -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; 333.954
• DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21771
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-541X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Texas horned lizard ( Phrynosoma cornutum ), a state threatened species in Texas, USA, appears to be declining throughout much of its distribution. Because of popular interest in restoring lizard populations, we conducted a 3‐year radio‐telemetric study to evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing Texas horned lizards into previously occupied areas with suitable habitat characteristics. We translocated lizards from natural populations in western Texas to the McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse Wildlife Management Area (MWMA) in the Cross Timbers and Prairies of north‐central Texas, an ecoregion that has experienced apparent local extirpations of horned lizards. We translocated lizards after partly restoring a 32.5‐ha portion of the MWMA from ashe juniper ( Juniperus ashei )‐honey mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) woodland to mid‐grass prairie. After a 10‐day acclimation period and soft release, we tracked 57 horned lizards from March 2014 to October 2016 to evaluate daily movements, spatial use, sources of mortality, reproduction, and changes in body condition. Daily movement averages (1.16–174.18 m) and area used by individuals (<0.01–6.81 ha) were similar to those recorded for natural populations, with peaks in movement occurring in May and June. Annual survivorship for individuals (1.1–47.2%) was also similar to that reported from natural populations; however, survivorship declined across the 3 active seasons. Although mortality of translocated lizards was high, body condition remained relatively stable across active seasons, and reproduction occurred each year, indicating that translocation could be a viable option for restoring horned lizard populations to previously occupied parts of their range. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. Abstract : Over a 3‐year radio‐telemetric study of reintroduced Texas horned lizards, movement patterns and area used were similar to wild populations, survivorship was moderate to low, and body condition was consistent across active seasons. Several females nested during the study, indicating that translocated lizards reproduced and reintroduction could be a viable conservation measure for this species.