Occupancy Surveys for the Temblor Legless Lizard (Anniella alexanderae) in the San Joaquin Valley, California 2022 to 2023
Dates
Publication Date
2024-05-24
Start Date
2022-02-01
End Date
2023-05-23
Citation
Rose, J.P., Camp, S.M., Sheikh, Z.N., Johnson, C.B., Lei, S.H., Napolitano, G.R., Schoenig, E.J., Macias, D.A., Jordan, A.C., and Halstead, B.J., 2024, Occupancy surveys for the Temblor legless lizard (Anniella alexanderae) in the San Joaquin Valley, California 2022 to 2023: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9R7UIV7.
Summary
This dataset contains the survey effort by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologists sampling for Temblor legless lizards (Anniella alexanderae) in 2022 and 2023, the results of those surveys, and environmental covariates relevant to detection and occupancy of this species. At the time of the species description, little was known about the distribution of the Temblor legless lizard beyond a few localities. Surveys were designed to gather information on the distribution of Temblor legless lizards to help inform a Species Status Assessment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Binary values for each year indicate whether Temblor legless lizards were detected under cover boards at a site in that year (1) or were not detected at that site [...]
Summary
This dataset contains the survey effort by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologists sampling for Temblor legless lizards (Anniella alexanderae) in 2022 and 2023, the results of those surveys, and environmental covariates relevant to detection and occupancy of this species. At the time of the species description, little was known about the distribution of the Temblor legless lizard beyond a few localities. Surveys were designed to gather information on the distribution of Temblor legless lizards to help inform a Species Status Assessment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Binary values for each year indicate whether Temblor legless lizards were detected under cover boards at a site in that year (1) or were not detected at that site in that year (0). Non-detection of Temblor legless lizards at a site does not indicate with certainty that the species does not occur at a site, only that the species was not detected under cover boards at the time of survey. Survey effort includes the dates of surveys and number of surveys at each site in each year. Covariates relevant to detection of Temblor legless lizards include the substrate temperature and relative humidiity at the time of the survey, the time of day at which the survey was done, and the day of the field season on which the survey was done. Covariates that potentially influence occupancy of lizards include the distance to the nearest ephemeral stream (i.e., wash or arroyo) and the soil texture, including clay content, at the site.
Questions pertaining to the intended use of, or assistance with understanding limitations or interpretation of these data are to be directed to the individuals/organization listed in the Point of Contact section. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata, and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Purpose
These data were collected to study the distribution of Temblor legless lizards (Anniella alexanderae) in the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. The data are intended to be used to study the detection probability for Temblor legless lizards when using cover boards as a survey method, and to identify environmental covariates that influence detection probability for this species.
