NEST DISTRIBUTION, SITE SELECTION, AND BROODING IN THE 5-LINED SKINK (EUMECES FASCIATUS)

I studied nest site selection and brooding behaviour in a population o f Eumeces fasciatus at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada, in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Females preferred large, moderately decayed logs as nest sites. Multiple and communal nests were common in all years e ven though suitable nest sites were not limited. Soil moisture appeare d to be an important physical factor. Soil moisture was higher at nest s than at other sites or in the ambient environment. Females varied br ooding position according to the moisture level. Brooding positions wi th high body to egg contact were observed with lower moisture levels, and low-contact positions were observed with higher moisture levels. F emales did not space eggs or vary cavity size to control moisture, but they may have moved nests vertically. The woody debris that female sk inks select as nest sites provide a relatively constant microclimate f or egg development. The aggregated pattern of nest distribution sugges ts a possible response to predation pressures.