Space use and daily movement patterns in an arid zone agamid lizard†

Context Quantifying the space use and movement patterns of animals is important to understand other aspects a species ecology, such as habitat social systems. However, basic data on patterns, how they are influenced by biotic or abiotic factors, lacking for many species. Aims We identified central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), assessed external factors (environmental conditions) internal (sex morphology) shape these patterns. Methods tracked 36 P. vitticeps individuals over three seasons from 2017 2018. Animals carried tags with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) device collect spatial an accelerometer in far western New South Wales, Australia. Measurements body morphology were taken each individual ambient temperatures recorded. Space was analysed calculating minimum convex polygons (MCPs) kernel density estimates (KDEs) using data. Movement determine whether dragons had moved during 10-min periods. Results Twenty-three out held defined activity areas. Males wider tails most likely be floaters (i.e. not restricted specific areas). Evidence floater behaviour shown 45% females 20% males, though both sexes often roamed distances greater than 1 km. Air strongly rates sexes. rate significantly higher males late-spring, but mid-summer, inversely related head sizes mass mid-summer. Interestingly, although there no correlation observed between daily size MCPs calculated, residents different season. Conclusions These results confirm that wild driven temperature, space-use vary previously studied agamids, high nomadism, possibly due drought conditions. Individuals varied widely their tactics, which seem unrelated size, potential proxy status age. Implications Our study provides baseline information common arid zone agamid research wild. More complex studies ecology can build findings this study.