The Importance of Vegetation Structure and Artificial Cover for Prairie Skinks (Plestiodon septentrionalis) on Exurban Land

作者：Danielsen Allison Krause^*; Rutherford Pamela; Koper Nicola

来源：Journal of Herpetology, 2014, 48(1): 67-73.

DOI：10.1670/12-112

The Northern Prairie Skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is listed as endangered and very little is known about habitat use in this semi-fossorial lizard. Much of the research to date has occurred on provincial park lands and federal military lands. This project aimed to define Prairie Skink habitat characteristics on exurban private land, which is defined as low-density rural residential developments, 5 to 20 acres (2 to 8 ha) in size. Prairie Skink presence data were collected using visual encounter surveys in three habitat types found on eight exurban properties in southwestern Manitoba: mowed lawn, gardens-flower beds, and native prairie. At each capture site, and at three other randomly selected sites within 10 m of each capture site, we recorded percent cover of grasses, forbs, small shrubs, bare ground, litter, and cover material. To measure thermal habitat characteristics we placed iButton (R) temperature loggers in each of the three habitat types. Prairie Skinks were found most commonly in native prairie and were significantly more likely to be found in areas with more artificial cover material. The number of Prairie Skink captures increased significantly as cover abundance per acre increased. Vegetation height was the most important factor moderating temperature among the habitat types. Cover may also be important on properties with minimal heterogeneity in the vegetation structure. Suitable Prairie Skink habitat exists on exurban land, specifically remnant prairie and with an abundance of artificial cover material. This type of habitat could become more important as habitat conversion continues throughout the Prairie Skink's range.

• 出版日期2014-3