Abstract: Competition for resources is an important mechanism that shapes ecological communities. Interspecific competition can affect habitat selection, fitness, and abundance in animals. We used a removal experiment and mark-to capture to test the
hypothesis that competition with the larger and more abundant Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus H. M. Smith, 1938)
limits habitat selection, fitness, and abundance in Ornate Tree Lizards (Urosaurus ornatus (Baird in Baird and Girard, 1852)). Ornate
Tree Lizards in the plots where Striped Plateau Lizards were removed switched between habitat types more frequently and
moved farther than Ornate Tree Lizards in control plots. However, there were no significant changes in the relative densities of
Ornate Tree Lizards in each habitat type or in microhabitat use. We also found no changes in growth rates, survival, or
abundance of Ornate Tree Lizards in response to the removal of Striped Plateau Lizards. Our results suggest that interspecific
competition was not strong enough to limit habitat use or abundance of Ornate Tree Lizards. Perhaps interspecific competition
is weak between coexisting species when resource levels are not severely depleted. Therefore, it is important to consider
environmental conditions when assessing the importance of interspecific competition.
Does the article state a limiting resource for the species?
Why is a limiting resource important?