Population structure and microhábitat use of Anolis barkeri in Southeastern Mexico

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the population structure and microhabitat use of Anolis barkeri in a tropical rainforest area of Mexico. Sampling was carried out every month for two days, with day and night tours from September 2017 to August 2018. Ten transects of 100 m long by 15 m wide were established on the stream, with a separation of 25 m between them. Individuals were recorded using the visual encounter method (VES). 204 individuals were recorded in the sampling period, of which 110 were adults, 62 juveniles and 32 offspring, with a sex ratio of M: F = 0.93: 1. A total of 78 individuals were marked during the first seven months of sampling using the phalangeal ectomy technique, later through the capture-recapture method, the population size was calculated, which was 135 organisms, with a survival probability of 22%. The population presented an aggregated spatial distribution and a population density of one individual every 71.8 m². The microhabitats used by A. barkeri were leaves, litter, branches, rocks, soil, and trunks, with rocks being the most used, with 77.45% of the sightings, presenting statistically significant differences with respect to the other substrates and the low stratum recorded the highest number of sightings, presenting statistically significant differences. The population studied is isolated in a new geographical area and the data obtained provide demographic and habitat selection information.