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Presence of Potential Predators and Thermal Environments of Texas

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Presence of Potential Predators and Thermal Environments of Texas PRESENCE OF POTENTIAL PREDATORS AND THERMAL ENVIRONMENTS OF TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS (PHRYNOSOMA CORNUTUM) By Tabea Malinowski, B.S. A Thesis In ARID LAND STUDIES Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCES Approved by Robin M. Verble, Ph. D. Chair of Committee Gad Perry, Ph. D. Clint W. Boal, Ph. D. Mark A. Sheridan, Ph. D. Dean of the Graduate School August 2014 Copyright © 2014 Tabea Malinowski Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisor Dr Robin Verble and the faculty and students of the Natural Resources Management Department of Texas Tech University for their support, encouragement, and assistance throughout the course of my master’s education. Neither my research project, nor my thesis would have been possible without their help. I would also like to thank the Beach family, who allowed me to use their ranch for my fieldwork and Krista Mougey, who accompanied me during my data collection and helped with her expertise about the Texas horned lizard. A special thanks goes to my committee members Dr Gad Perry and Dr Clint Boal for their guidance, suggestions and expertise within the Texas horned lizard project. This thesis is the result of their support and guidance during my year at Texas Tech University. Last but not least, I express my gratitude to my family, especially my parents and siblings, Svea and Per, and to my friends, Franziska, Clara, and Dorit, who always supported me with their advice and their emotional as well as moral support. I dedicate this thesis to my family, friends, and committee members. Thank you very much for letting me have this experience and supporting me during this project and my master’s education. ii Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………...................................ii ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………………………...….….vi LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………..……..….……………...…...…ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………….……..…………………..………...……....xi LITERATURE REVIEW I. Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...........................................................................................................................1……………..…1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………...……….……………….…..1 THL Habitat……………………………………………………………………………….……………...…...2 Morphology……………………………………………………………………...……...………..……………4 Biology…………………………………………………………………………...….…………………...……...5 Thermal Physiology…………………………………………………………………..………...………….6 Prey and Feeding Behavior………………………...………………………...…………………………8 Predators and Predator Defense……………………………………………………...……………...9 Predator Ecology……………………………………………………………………………...……….….11 THL Decline…………………………………………………………………...…...……………...….……..14 Research Questions…………………………………………………………....…………………....……15 Literature Cited………………………………………………………...……………………..……...……16 iii Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 SURVEYS OF POTENTIAL PREDATORS OF TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS II. Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….......................22……………..22 Introduction……………………………………………….……………………....………………......……22 Questions…………………………………………………………………………………...…25 Hypotheses…………………………………………………………..……………………….25 Materials and Methods……………………………………………………...………….………………26 Study Area…………………………………………………………………………………….26 Field Methods and Data Collection………………..……………..…………………27 Statistical Analysis…………………………………….………………………..…………28 Results……………………………………………………...……………………….……………...………….28 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………...………..29 Tables…………………………………………………………………….……………………………...……..33 Figures……………………………………………………….………………………………………...………35 Literature Cited………………………………………………...………………………………….....……40 TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS THERMAL ENVIRONMENTS III. Abstract……………………………………………………………………………...................................................43..…………………………43 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….………...………43 Questions……………………………………………………………………….………….....46 Hypotheses………………………………………………………………………..…………46 Materials and Methods…………………………………………………………………...…….………47 Study Area………………………………………………………………………………….…47 Field Methods and Data Collection…………………..…………………..…………48 iv Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 Statistical Analysis……………………………………….…………….…………….……49 Results……………………………………………………………………………...…..……...………………49 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………..…………...……50 Tables…………………………………………………………………………..…………………….……..…54 Figures……………………………………………………………………….………………………...………56 Literature Cited…………………………………………………...………………………………….....…72 v Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 ABSTRACT The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of thirteen species that make up the genus Phrynosoma. Their range extends from Canada to Guatemala, and they live in arid and semiarid desert regions. Due to their low motility and conspicuous foraging locations, horned lizards are often susceptible to predators. Several studies have emphasized the importance of habitat and environmental conditions to Texas horned lizards; however, less is known about their thermal biology and recent decline. My thesis aims to increase our understanding of Texas horned lizard thermal biology, predation and possible reasons of their recent decline. These aspects are essential to future conservation measures, efforts, and considerations. I conducted a predator survey using camera traps and plastic lizard models to estimate the visibly of lizards to potential hunting predators within three habitat types. Coyotes and roadrunners represent a threat to Texas horned lizards and a feasible occurrence of an overpopulation of these predators in a small and isolated habitat might have an impact on the decline besides anthropogenic factors. I also measured temperatures at ten distinct locations in which Texas horned lizards have been observed by researchers on the study site using iButtons. The purpose of this survey was to create a thermal profile of horned lizard habitat and examine the thermal constraints of their environments. Within the thermal environment of the Texas horned lizard, thermal areas (microhabitats) with diverse vi Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 mean temperatures were observed and adaptations to their daily routine within their habitat were made. vii Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 LIST OF TABLES 1. Counted potential predators by camera trapping during the 30 day fieldwork…..………………………………………………………………………………...…………..33 2. Percentage of potential predators detected within the treatments: dense vegetation, road, and ranchland during the 30 day field study……...……………………………………………………………………………………………..…34 3. Means for one-way ANOVA for the distinct locations…………………………………54 4. Temperatures (°C) of the distinct locations (30 March 2014)…….………………55 viii Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 LIST OF FIGURES 1. Attached transmitter on a lizard model……………………………………….……..….…35 2. Camera trap attached to a fence and a small tree……………………...……….………36 3. Camera trap on a mesquite shrub……………………………………………………………..37 4. Species composition of detected potential predators……..………………....……….38 5. Distribution of detected potential predators in the treatments: dense vegetation, road, and ranchland……………………………………………………...39 6. Ibutton on a mesquite trunk………………………………………………………........……….56 7. Mean temperatures of distinct locations within the THL habitat………........…..57 8. Representative daily temperature curve of the mean temperatures of the distinct locations (30 March 2014; mean of temperature across all microhabitats)…………………………………..…..…58 9. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the 9 different distinct locations (30 March 2014)……………………………..…..59 10. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: Ant mound (30 March 2014)………………………………………….60 11. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: In the soil (30 March 2014)…………………..........................………61 12. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: On a stone (30 March 2014)………................................……………62 13. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: On the ground (30 March 2014)…………………………………..…63 14. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: On the road (30 March 2014)…………………………………………64 15. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: In the shadow (30 March 2014)………………………………..……65 ix Texas Tech University, Tabea Malinowski, August 2014 16. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: On a trunk (30 March 2014)…………………….………………….…66 17. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: Under a trunk (30 March 2014)…………………………………..…67 18. Representative daily temperature curve of the temperatures of the treatment: In a yucca plant (30 March 2014)………………………………...…68 19. Representative daily temperature curve of the mean temperatures of the distinct locations (30 March 2014; mean of temperature across all microhabitats) combined with the daily routine of the Texas horned lizard……………………………….....…..69 20. Representative daily temperature curve combined with the lizards’ behavior
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