Question

You conduct a mark-recapture survey of eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulates) in a 2-hectare plot in eastern Arizona. You mark 250 lizards and are able to recapture 75, of which 24 are marked. What is the estimated size of the population of fence lizards in this plot? Calculate the estimated population size for the plot. Use the following formula: M/N = R/C where M is the number of initially marked individuals, N is the population size, R is the number of recaptured marked individuals, and C is the total number of individuals recaptured.

a. 80 b. 7.2 c. 781.3 d. 250 e. 24

Answer 1

Option C

Step-by-step explanation:

Given -

Total number of initially marked lizards (M)
`= 250`

Total number of recaptured lizards (C)
`= 75`

Total number of recaptured marked lizards (R)
`= 24`

As we know that -

`(M)/(N) = (R)/(C)`

We have to find "N" . "N" is the total population size of lizards in a 2-hectare plot in eastern Arizona.

Thus, on rearranging the above equation, we get -

`N = (M * C)/(R)`

Substituting the given values in above equation, we get -

`N = (250 * 75)/(24) \\N = 781.25\\N = 781.3`

Hence, option C is correct