@article{5de59ce5cf964f3b9ebaa9c1414d8679,
title = "Potential environmental influences on variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism among Arizona populations of the western diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)",
abstract = "Differences in resource availability and quality along environmental gradients are important influences contributing to intraspecific variation in body size, which influences numerous life-history traits. Here, we examined variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in relation to temperature, seasonality, and precipitation among 10 populations located throughout Arizona of the western diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). Specifically, in our analyses we addressed the following questions: (i) Are adult males larger in cooler, wetter areas? (ii) Does female body size respond differently to environmental variation? (iii) Is seasonality a better predictor of body size variation? (iv) Is SSD positively correlated with increased resources? We demonstrate that male and female C. atrox are larger in body size in cooler (i.e., lower average annual maximum, minimum, and mean temperature) and wetter areas (i.e., higher average annual precipitation, more variable precipitation, and available surface water). Although SSD in C. atrox appeared to be more pronounced in cooler, wetter areas, this relationship did not achieve statistical significance.",
keywords = "Ectotherm, Precipitation, Reptile, Resource availability, Seasonality, Temperature",
author = "Melissa Amarello and Nowak, {Erika M.} and Taylor, {Emily N.} and Schuett, {Gordon W.} and Repp, {Roger A.} and Rosen, {Philip C.} and Hardy, {David L.}",
note = "Funding Information: This research was possible through the cooperation of numerous landowners and managers (National Park Service, Stone Canyon Golf Club, Vistoso Partners, LLC,) and the hard work of many field technicians, collaborators, and volunteers: T. Baker, J. Bortle, J. Capps, C. Cochran, C. Contreras, A. Dee, D. DeNardo, S. Ehret, M. Feldner, L. Gilmore, M. Goode, H. Greene, H.-W. Herrmann, E. Landeen, A. Madara-Yagla, M. Malawy, A.J. Monatesti, E. Oakley, B. Parker, T. Richins, P. Rosenfeld, M. Santana-Bendix, J. Schofer, J. Smith, L. Smith, M. Spille, S. Stumpf, J. Walker, and staff from Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, and Tonto National Monuments. We would like to thank the Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund , Arizona State University , National Park Service , National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (to ENT and MA), the late M. Nowak, US Geological Survey , and the Western National Parks Association for funding aspects of this project. M. Angilletta, C. Montgomery, M. Sears, J. Smith, and members of the K. Lips and M. Sears laboratories improved previous versions of this manuscript. All animal use complies with the current laws of the United States and was approved by Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, or University of Arizona Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees; snakes were collected under Arizona Game and Fish Commission scientific collection permits issued to each author. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Government of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.",
year = "2010",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2010.05.019",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "74",
pages = "1443--1449",
journal = "Journal of Arid Environments",
issn = "0140-1963",
publisher = "Academic Press",
number = "11",
}