The effect of intergroup distance on group fidelity in the group‐living Lizard, Cordylus cataphractus

Abstract

The effect of intergroup distance on group fidelity in the Armadillo Lizard, Cordylus cataphractus, was studied in the Lambert's Bay/Graafwater area, South Africa. One hundred and six individuals from 27 groups were marked and recaptured regularly from May until September 2002. Group fidelity was greater in groups with long nearest neigbour distances than in groups with short nearest neighbour distances. More adult males than adult females entered and departed groups during the mating season. Neonates displayed higher group fidelity than juveniles, pointing to delayed neonate dispersal in C. cataphractus. Juveniles displayed the lowest group fidelity of all size classes. The low group fidelity of juveniles could be related to their small size and potentially high growth rates, relative to those of adults, so juveniles may need to forage more frequently than adults forage.

Key words:

• Cordylus cataphractus
• mark‐recapture
• intergroup movement
• group fidelity
• intergroup distance
• delayed dispersal