Notes on the Growth Rates of Anolis sagrei Duméril & Bibron, 1837 from a Small Betelnut Palm (Areca catechu, L.) Plantation in Southwestern Taiwan

Abstract

We collected and individually marked 210 male and 143 female Anolis sagrei from a small Betelnut Palm (Areca catechu, L.) plantation in Santzepu, Sheishan District, Chiayi County, southwestern Taiwan, during the period mid-January through mid-December 2004. Of these 353 lizards, only 35 males and 17 females were recaptured and used to calculate monthly growth rates and monthly growth percentages. Results indicated that at least some individuals experienced active growth throughout the year, that smaller individuals of both sexes grew faster than larger conspecifics of the same gender, and that males grew faster than females. We also determined that growth rates of both sexes decreased during the peak reproductive period.