| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 2002 |
| Authors: | A. V. Suarez, Case T. J. |
| Journal: | Ecological Applications |
| Volume: | 12 |
| Pagination: | 291-298 |
| Date Published: | February 2002 |
| Abstract: | *[We examined how Argentine ants influence horned lizard growth rates by raising hatchlings on prey typical of invaded & uninvaded sites. Hatchling horned lizards maintained positive growth rates on a diet of just one native ant species, Crematogaster californica. However, on a diet of Argentine ants or arthropods typical of an invaded community, horned lizard growth rates were either negative or averaged near zero. In addition, when lizards were switched from a diet of Argentine ants to native ants, growth rates increased. One factor contributing to growth was foraging rate; capture success appears partly responsible for why horned lizards specialize on ants vs. other, harder to capture, arthropods. Moreover, a comparison of diets among age classes of coastal horned lizards suggests a diversity of ants is necessary to support lizard populations. ] |
| Alternate Journal: | Ecol. Appl. |