The effects of prey species on food conversion efficiency and growth of an insectivorous lizard
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20175.abs Little is known about the effects of different prey species on lizard growth. We conducted a 6-week study to determine the relative effects of prey species on growth parameters of hatchling western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis. Lizards were fed house cricket nymphs, Acheta domesticus, or mealworm larvae, Tenebrio molitor. The effects of prey […]
External and internal influences on indices of physiological stress. I. Seasonal and population variation in adrenocortical secretion of free living lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis
The plasma levels of glucocorticoid hormones (e. g., corticosterone and cortisol) are often used as an index of physiological stress. However, under natural conditions, glucocorticoid secretion can respond to both environmental influences (e. g., extreme climatic conditions) and internal influences (populational differences and annual seasonal cycles). To distinguish between these kinds of influences, we examined […]