Age and Sexual Variation in the Diet of Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris)

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Abstract
This study presents the first examination of relationships among morphologic variation and diet and the first food habit assessment for collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) inhabiting the Pedro Armendariz lava field, New Mexico [USA]. Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, and Aranae formed the major portion of the diet during the two activity seasons studied. The 145 lizards consumed 63 categories of arthropods as well as eight individual lizards of the genera Cnemidophorus and Phrynosoma, one snake (Sonora semiannulata), an unidentified bird nestling, plant tissues, and small pebbles. Analyses revealed that adults and non-adults differed in body size and in size of food items ingested, but the kinds of food did not differ significantly between ages classes. Males and females differed morphologically and in the kinds of foods eaten, but the size and numbers of food items were similar among sexes. Variables separating months were probably a reflection of insect phenology. Size and diet differences between sexes may act to reduce intraspecific competition for food resources.

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