Abstract
The population dynamics of varanids (large monitor lizards) is poorly understood. We report on the most detailed study to date of a population of one of Australia's largest semi-aquatic varanids, Varanus mertensi. Survival of V. mertensi was derived from known-fate modelling of radio-tracked individuals over two and a half years. We demonstrate empirically what intuition suggests; that apparent survival probability in long-lived lizards is high over short sampling periods, with body size and gender influencing these estimates. Survival estimation in long-lived species such as varanids clearly requires long-term studies. � The Society of Population Ecology and Springer 2009.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 243-247 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Population Ecology |
| Volume | 52 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |