Population ecology and life history strategy of a Montane Lizard (Sceloporus scalaris) in Southeastern Arizona

Summary Populations of Sceloporus scalaris were studied in the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona from 1973–1976. Reproductive maturity occurs in approximately 8 months. A single clutch of eggs is produced, averaging 5·9 eggs in yearlings and approximately 10 eggs in older females. There was no significant variation in clutch size among years and clutch size varied with body size. Females tended to outnumber males up to as much as 2:1. Mortality varied from year to year but averaged about 0·7 in hatchlings, 0·5 in yearlings and 0·7 in adults. Animals are active in all months of the year and the long growing season permits early maturity. Approximately 44% of the lifetime fertility results from the first reproduction.