We studied the colonization of habitats by four species of iguanid liz
ard (Urosaurus oi natus, Sceloporus graciosus, S. undulatus, and Uta s
tansburiana) to determine differences among the species in colonizatio
n, differences among habitat types in colonization, and the lime traje
ctory of colonization. We surveyed lizards on eight study plots in thr
ee habitats after a density reduction experiment. We discovered no dif
ference among lizard species in their recovery relative to numbers rem
oved. However, there were significant differences in recovery among ha
bitats, suggesting an important role of habitat type in the resilience
of the lizards to the perturbation. Colonization by lizards was rapid
and most study plots were colonized within 2 to 3 mo of the manipulat
ion. One year after the experiment, all species were represented on ai
l plots. Saturation (ratio of marked lizards to the number removed on
each plot) was significantly different between the first and all other
post-manipulation census periods. There was no significant difference
in saturation among the second (1 yr), third (15 mo) and fourth (27 m
o) census periods, suggesting asymptotic saturation within 1 yr of the
perturbation. The pattern of colonization by resident lizards was sim
ilar to that of all lizards (residents and transients). There was no d
ifference in saturation among species, but there were significant habi
tat and census period differences in saturation.