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Cnemidophorus lemniscatus is a species that occurs widely in the neotropics (Cole and Dessauer 1993; Lammeree 1970; Markezich et al. 1997) and was introduced into Florida via the pet trade (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). This species is a member of the lemniscatus species complex in which some species are parthenogenetic (Sites et al. 1990). Populations of C. lemniscatus that occur in south Florida appear to be entirely bisexual (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). Although breeding populations have been known in Dade County, Florida for over two decades, little is known concerning the natural history and ecology of this exotic species (Wilson and Porras 1983; Markezich et al. 1997).
These whiptails are common in a number of locations in Dade County and are typically found on heavily pebbled areas of open sandy soil with scattered clumps of grasses and weeds. I have observed these lizards in the field moving quickly over the surface of the ground searching for prey, a common behavior in lizards of this genus (Vitt and Ohmart 1977; Punzo 1990). Periodically, they stop and tongue-flick at the surface of the sand before moving on. During the hottest periods of the day in summer months they frequently seek shelter in a burrow, within rock crevices, or under the shade of a plant or building.
Although it has been reported that this lizard feeds on a variety of arthropods, and less frequently on the flowers of some plants (Sites et al. 1990; Bartlett and Bartlett 1999), no detailed studies have been conducted on the diet composition of this species in Florida. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the stomach contents of C. lemniscatus.
Materials and Methods.-The study site was located 1.2 km southeast of the former Florida East Coast Railway Building (N.W. 37th Ave. and 75th St.) (Miami, Dade Co., Florida, USA) in an area adjacent to several occupied and abandoned buildings. The area included an asphalt parking lot overgrown with weeds adjacent to a well-drained and an open sandy area sparsely vegetated with grasses (Andropogon spp., Aristida stricta), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), and composites (Aster spp.). This sandy area was bordered on two sides by a large area characterized by clumped shrubs and an open woodlot. The lizards often entered this area...