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

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Population Ecology

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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Wendy Telfer and Ben Phillips for improvements to this manuscript. This work was funded by Charles Darwin University and a grant from the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). All research was conducted under Animal Ethics Permit No. A00015 and Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Permit No. 15254.

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  1. James G. Smith

    Present address: EWL Sciences, Level 3 Energy House, 18-20 Cavenagh St, Darwin, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia

    James G. Smith

  2. Biodiversity Conservation Division, Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT, 0831, Australia

    Anthony D. Griffiths

  3. Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Barry W. Brook

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  1. James G. Smith
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  2. Anthony D. Griffiths
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  3. Barry W. Brook
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Correspondence to James G. Smith.

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Smith, J.G., Griffiths, A.D. & Brook, B.W. Survival estimation in a long-lived monitor lizard: radio-tracking of Varanus mertensi . Popul Ecol 52, 243–247 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-009-0166-0

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