Spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of animals contains ecological information that we are just beginning to understand. In both field and lab studies, stoichiometric or isotopic ratios are related to physiological mechanisms underlying nutrition or stress. Conservation and ecosystem ecology may be informed by isotopic data that can be rapidly and non-lethally collected from wild animals, especially where human activity leaves an isotopic signature (e.g. via introduction of chemical fertilizers, ornamental or other non-native plants or organic detritus). We examined spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of the toes of Uta stansburiana (side-blotched lizards) living in urban and rural areas in and around St. George, Utah. We found substantial spatial and temporal variation as well as context-dependent co-variation with reproductive physiological parameters, although certain key predictions such as the relationship between δ15N and body condition were not supported. We suggest that landscape change through urbanization can have profound effects on wild animal physiology and that stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios can provide unique insights into the mechanisms underlying these processes.

中文翻译：

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城市景观中野生蜥蜴的化学计量比和稳定同位素比随繁殖，生理，空间和时间而变化。

动物的化学计量比和稳定同位素比的时空变化包含我们刚刚开始了解的生态信息。在现场和实验室研究中，化学计量比或同位素比都与营养或压力的生理机制有关。可以通过从野生动物中迅速而又不致死地收集到的同位素数据来保护和生态系统生态，特别是在人类活动留下同位素特征的情况下（例如通过引入化肥，观赏植物或其他非本地植物或有机碎屑） 。我们研究了生活在犹他州圣乔治及其周围城市和农村地区的Uta stansburiana（侧斑点蜥蜴）的脚趾的化学计量比和稳定同位素比的时空变化。尽管不支持某些关键的预测，例如δ15N与身体状况之间的关系，我们发现大量的时空变化以及与上下文相关的生殖生理参数协变。我们认为，城市化带来的景观变化可以对野生动物的生理产生深远的影响，化学计量和稳定的同位素比可以为这些过程的潜在机制提供独特的见解。