Thesis
The ecology of lguanid lizards at Las Baulas Park, Costa Rica
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009137
Abstract
In Parque Marino Nacional Las Baulas Guanacaste, Costa Rica green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and ctenosaurs (Ctenosaura similis) were the largest lizards in the park. Until now little was known about the ecology of the iguanids in the park. I explored habitat use and behavior of these animals during the rainy (May to November) and dry season (December to April). I found the green iguanas to be elusive and quite rare in this area while the ctenosaurs were abundant and prominent in most of the park and surrounding area. Green iguanas were located in areas close to the estuary of the park. Ctenosaurs were in the secondary dry forest and in contrast locally developed areas. Juvenile ctenosaurs lived in a microhabitat ofjaragua grass (Hyparrhenia rufa), a non-native species of grass. Using radio telemetry I determined nesting sites and home ranges of both species. The beach ofPlaya Grande is the main nesting location for both species. Green iguanas started to nest at the end of January and continued into February and ctenosaurs nested at the end of February into March. Green iguanas had a much larger home range than ctenosaurs.
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Details
- Title
- The ecology of lguanid lizards at Las Baulas Park, Costa Rica
- Creators
- Matthew Joseph LaMarca
- Contributors
- James Robert Spotila (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)Pilar Santidrián Tomillo (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 51 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021888971304721