Dear Editor,Life-history studies including dietary preferences and trophic interactions are essential for understanding community ecology in lizards(Pianka,1986).The family Agamidae is one of the largest in terms of s...Dear Editor,Life-history studies including dietary preferences and trophic interactions are essential for understanding community ecology in lizards(Pianka,1986).The family Agamidae is one of the largest in terms of species diversity and occurs in a variety of habitats(Uetz et al.,2024).展开更多
This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril i...This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril is situated in center of elliptic nasal,directing outwards and rearwards;②one supranasal;③superciliary ridge poorly developed,blunt and not everting upwards;④dorsum and flanks with many small,light colored spots,the large,conic scales scattered on flanks are not situated in those spots.展开更多
A new subspecies of Laudakia microlepis（Blanford, 1874） is described, from Taftan Mountain in southeastern Iran, based on morphological and genetic characteristics. This new subspecies is distinguished from the nomi...A new subspecies of Laudakia microlepis（Blanford, 1874） is described, from Taftan Mountain in southeastern Iran, based on morphological and genetic characteristics. This new subspecies is distinguished from the nominal subspecies by having a yellowish head along with the following combination of characters： a relatively larger body size; different number of scales around middle of body; larger, weakly keeled, dorsal median scales arranged in 11–13 oblique longitudinal rows; 123–136 scales in a single row from posterior edge of gular fold to vent; 27–31 scales in the first complete whorl around the tail. The type locality of Laudakia microlepis taftanica ssp. nov., is hereby, reported as the Taftan Mountain, about 300 kilometer southeast of the nominal subspecies known range.展开更多
As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey i...As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.展开更多
文摘Dear Editor,Life-history studies including dietary preferences and trophic interactions are essential for understanding community ecology in lizards(Pianka,1986).The family Agamidae is one of the largest in terms of species diversity and occurs in a variety of habitats(Uetz et al.,2024).
文摘This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril is situated in center of elliptic nasal,directing outwards and rearwards;②one supranasal;③superciliary ridge poorly developed,blunt and not everting upwards;④dorsum and flanks with many small,light colored spots,the large,conic scales scattered on flanks are not situated in those spots.
文摘A new subspecies of Laudakia microlepis（Blanford, 1874） is described, from Taftan Mountain in southeastern Iran, based on morphological and genetic characteristics. This new subspecies is distinguished from the nominal subspecies by having a yellowish head along with the following combination of characters： a relatively larger body size; different number of scales around middle of body; larger, weakly keeled, dorsal median scales arranged in 11–13 oblique longitudinal rows; 123–136 scales in a single row from posterior edge of gular fold to vent; 27–31 scales in the first complete whorl around the tail. The type locality of Laudakia microlepis taftanica ssp. nov., is hereby, reported as the Taftan Mountain, about 300 kilometer southeast of the nominal subspecies known range.
基金the WWF Netherlands for funding the study through Saving Wetlands Sky High programme
文摘As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.
