Why didn't the lizard cross the road? Dunes sagebrush lizards exhibit road-avoidance behaviour

• DOI: 10.1071/wr16184
• Publication Date: 2017-04-20T22:32:19Z
• Authors: Toby J. Hibbitts; Lee A. Fitzgerald; Danielle K. Walkup; Wade A. Ryberg
• Keywords: Sand dune stabilization

Context Research has shown many negative effects of roads and traffic on wildlife other biodiversity. The direct indirect mechanisms through which harm animal populations vary across taxa, making mitigation road a great challenge for conservation. As such, large toolkit species-specific management techniques may be needed to mitigate the dunes sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus arenicolus, is psammophilic (sand-loving) habitat specialist endemic Mescalero–Monahans Sandhills ecosystem New Mexico Texas. Within this ecosystem, fragment shinnery oak sand-dune landforms occupied by species. Aims In present study, we conducted behaviour trials in experimental enclosures test whether smallest restrict movements lizard. addition, also evaluate sand-filled wildlife-crossing feature could facilitate crossing. Methods We behavioural 24 lizards our control enclosure 22 enclosure. Movements were recorded 15min. final locations at end each trial analysed using circular statistics determine or different from control. Key results Our supported hypotheses that avoid do so according surface-avoidance mechanism. found crossing-feature design tested here had no effect road-crossing frequency Conclusions Surface-avoidance indicated will persistently affect even when not present. Also, more research into an effective crossing increase connectivity fragmented populations. Implications These findings help impact creating isolated experience increased demographic stochasticity and, some instances, localised extirpation study can guide conservation plans contribute understanding biodiversity general.