Sex and seasonal variation in the diet of the Mountain Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare)

Abstract

Food acquisition is fundamental in animals. Some dietary studies of Phrynosoma have shown a strong intake of ants. This study analyzes sexual and seasonal variations in diet characteristics of 59 adults of Phrynosoma orbiculare captured in the State of Mexico, Mexico, analyzed through stomach flush- ing. This population is strongly myrmecophagous within the genus Phrynosoma and the most myrme- cophagous within the Tapaja clade. There are sexual and seasonal variations in ant consumption, and a generalized linear model showed differences in the diet for both factors. The results of this study were compared with other studies on the diet of the species and within the genus, an important aspect in planning for the conservation and recovery of this and other Phrynosoma species.