Behavioral Implications of Mechanistic Ecology II: The African Rainbow Lizard, Agama agama

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Abstract
The daily and seasonal activity of the African rainbow lizard, A. agama is predicted in terms of heat transfer models for the microenvironment and the lizard. The models, originally developed for the temperate Mohave Desert and for the desert iguana, Dipsosauras dorsalis (Porter et al., 1973) were refined and are applicable to a tropical area and a tropical species. Field microclimate measurements and observations of lizard activity and food consumption by different sizes of lizards are consistent with these models. Environmental constraints on activity times, sun vs. shade locations, height above the ground and postures are described. The sensitivity of the metabolic predictions to different maximum temperature preferences and behavioral options are discussed. The balance between maintenance energy savings via lower thermoregulatory temperatures and time available in different parts of the microenvironment are examined. A simple predator-prey interaction illustrates the substantial effect of climate in modifying amount of time both prey and predator would be expected to be active simultaneously in the tropics vs. a temperate desert. Comparisons are made between A. agama and the desert iguana, D. dorsalis, for daily and seasonal maintenance requirements and their implications for seasonal changes in growth and reproductive potential.