Data from: Homing behavior of a tree lizard: influences of mating resource and habitat structure
Data files
Nov 06, 2025 version files 162.95 KB
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Data.Density.csv
155 B
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Data.Food.csv
55.70 KB
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Data.Habitat.Structure.csv
82.93 KB
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Data.Homing.csv
20.62 KB
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README.md
3.55 KB
Abstract
Homing behavior, characterized by repeated navigation to specific spatial areas, is shaped by individual condition and numerous environmental factors varying at both individual and population levels. Homing behavior is often measured by quantifying site fidelity and homing success. Site fidelity reflects an individual's inclination to stay or reuse its previously occupied location, while homing success assesses the likelihood of an individual returning to its original location after an involuntary translocation. Exploring the effects of ecological and environmental factors on homing behavior across populations offers valuable insights into its adaptability to diverse and changing environments. Here, we conducted a translocation experiment involving eight populations of Swinhoe’s tree lizard (Diploderma swinhonis). We examined the effects of resource availability (mate and food), morphological traits, habitat structure, and population density on both site fidelity and homing success. Our results revealed significant variations in both site fidelity and homing success, both within and between populations. Males exhibited higher site fidelity when they had high numbers of female neighbors and low levels of heterogeneity of male neighbors. Regarding homing success, males returned to their territories more rapidly when their territories provided abundant mating opportunities and low levels of intrasexual competition. Additionally, habitat structure influenced homing success, with males showing higher success rates in populations characterized by smaller trees, or when they occupied smaller territory trees. Overall, our findings emphasize the necessity of making comparisons within and between populations to better understand the evolutionary and ecological forces shaping animal navigation.
We present homing measurements, morphological traits, habitat structure, population density, and food abundance of the eight populations of the Swinhoe's tree lizard.
Description of the data
Data.Homing.csv - homing measurements and morphological traits of each male Swinhoe's tree lizard from the eight populations
Variable definitions:
Lizard.ID: the ID of each male Swinhoe's tree lizard.Location: the population where the lizard belonged.Frequency: the number that the resident male stayed within its occupied territory in the experiment.Return: whether the resident male returned to its pre-occupied territory successfully in 7 days (0, unsuccessful; 1, successful).Days.R: the time that the resident male spent in returning to its pre-occupued territory (day). If the male didn't return, the time was set to 8.DBH: the diameter at breast height of the territory tree of each male (cm).Height.C: the perch height of each male (cm).Other.M: the number of neighbor males observed during the experiment.Other.F: the number of neighbor females observed during the experiment.SVL: the snout-vent length of each male (mm).HL: the head length of each male (mm).HW: the head width of each male (mm).HH: the head height of each male (mm).Weight: the weight of each male (g).Distance.T: the displaced distance of each male (m).
Data.Density.csv - population density of the eight populations of the Swinhoe's tree lizard
Variable definitions:
Location: the population name.Male.density: the male density of each population (# / 1250 m^2).Female.density: the female density of each population (# / 1250 m^2).
Data.Habitat.Structure.csv - habitat structure of the eight populations of the Swinhoe's tree lizard
Variable definitions:
ID.Quaadrat: the ID of each quadrat.Location: the population of each quadrat.Grass: the coverage of grass in the frame (# / 25 grids).Herb: the coverage of herb in the frame (# / 25 grids).Stone.and.Rock: the coverage of stone and rock in the frame (# / 25 grids).Mulch: the coverage of mulch in the frame (# / 25 grids).Bare.land: the coverage of bare land in the frame (# / 25 grids).Artificial: the coverage of manmade constructions in the frame (# / 25 grids).Others: the coverage of other habitat structures in the frame (# / 25 grids).Num.Stem: the number of stem in the frame.Num.Trunk: the number of trunk in the frame.Distance.Nearest.Tree: the distance between the center of the frame to the nearest tree of the frame (cm).DBH.Nearest.Tree: the diameter of the nearest tree of the frame (cm).
Data.Food.csv - food abundance of the eight populations of the Swinhoe's tree lizard from the pitfall traps
Variable definitions:
Tube.ID: the ID of each Tube.Location: the population of each tube.Phylum: the phylum of prey sample.Class: the class of prey sample.Order: the order of prey sample.Total.number: the sum of the number of prey samples for each tube.Edible.number: the sum of the number of edible prey samples for each tube.Edible.weight: the sum of the weight of edible prey samples for each tube (g).Inedible.number: the sum of the number of inedible prey samples for each tube.Inedible.weight: the sum of the weight of inedible prey samples for each tube (g).