Ecology of the whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus deppii on a tropical beach

The whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus deppii was studied during late dry season on a tropical beach on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Most aspects of the ecology of this species are similar to those of other active foraging lizard species studied. Individual C. deppii spend most of a typical daily activity period on sand moving from vegetation patch to vegetation patch, presumably in search of food. The amount of time spent in the sun is greatest in early morning and at its lowest level at midday. The average rate of movement was 0.048 ± 0.004 m/s. Body temperatures of active lizards averaged 40.0 ± 0.25 °C, and most activity occurred during morning and late afternoon. Body temperatures were significantly lower in whiptails active during the morning than later in the day. Forty-two types of prey were identified in stomachs, with termites, spiders, and various orthopterans accounting for most of the diet volumetrically. There was no correlation between lizard size and prey size. There was a significant negative relationship between prey width and the number of prey in stomachs. Snout–vent length (SVL) at sexual maturity was 60 mm for females and 58 mm for males. Mature females averaged 63.8 ± 0.7 mm SVL and produced clutches varying from 1 to 3 eggs ([Formula: see text]). Oviductal eggs averaged 13.6 ± 0.64 × 7.7 ± 0.21 mm in size. There was no significant relationship between female SVL and clutch size. Relative clutch mass was similar to that for other active foraging lizard species. Sexual dimorphism was apparent in coloration (males brightly colored), body size (males larger), and relative head size (male heads larger independent of body size differences). These differences presumably are due to sexual selection.