Survival estimation in a long-lived monitor lizard: radio-tracking of Varanus mertensi

Title
Publication Type	Journal Article
Year of Publication	2010
Authors	Smith, JG, Griffiths, AD, Brook, BW
Journal	Population Ecology
Volume	52
Pagination	243-247
Date Published	Jan
Type of Article	Editorial Material
ISBN Number	1438-3896
Accession Number	ISI:000273166100024
Keywords	AIC, body-size, Cormack-Jolly-Seber, Density, growth, home-range, iguanas amblyrhynchus-cristatus, Known fate, life-history, marked animals, population biology, Program MARK, psammodromus-algirus, sceloporus-undulatus, uta-stansburiana, varanid
Abstract	The population dynamics of varanids (large monitor lizards) is poorly understood. We report on the most detailed study to date of a population of one of Australia's largest semi-aquatic varanids, Varanus mertensi. Survival of V. mertensi was derived from known-fate modelling of radio-tracked individuals over two and a half years. We demonstrate empirically what intuition suggests; that apparent survival probability in long-lived lizards is high over short sampling periods, with body size and gender influencing these estimates. Survival estimation in long-lived species such as varanids clearly requires long-term studies.
Alternate Journal	Popul. Ecol.

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