Microhabitat use and escape behaviors of syntopic clonal complexes of the parthenogenetic whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus laredoensis

The parthenogenetic whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus laredoensis is comprised of two genetically distinct clonal complexes (=lineages) that arose from separate hybridizations between sexual species. The hierarchical model of E. D. Parker, Jr., J. M. Walker and M. A. Paulissen predicts that parthenogens that originate from multiple hybridizations should differ in ecological and behavioral traits. I tested this prediction by analyzing the microhabitat use and antipredator escape behaviors of the two C. laredoensis clonal complexes in a relict subtropical forest/bunchgrass-weed-mesquite habitat in southern Texas. Both clonal complexes used microhabitats with loose sandy soil, dense grass and partly or completely open forest canopy more often than expected if lizards used microhabitats at random. Measurements of lizard movements in reaction to a human 'predator' showed that both clonal complexes permitted shorter initial and final approach distances, and had shorter flight distances than other Cnemidophorus that have been studied. There was no difference in the microhabitat use, escape distances or escape behaviors of the two clonal complexes. A previous study showed that the two clonal complexes did differ in diet and activity pattern; the overall conclusion is that the two clonal complexes show ecological differences in some parameters but not others. Since this is often the case among syntopic congeners, the general prediction of ecological difference between genetically distinct parthenogens is upheld.