we report observations on the natural history of lizards in the gando protected area, within the sistan and baluchestan province, iran. the identity of the lizards is recorded, along with remarks on some meristic characteristics. brief descriptions of their habitats are also given with a distribution map. lizards (n = 132) were collected and photographed in 2008-09. twelve species belonging to ...

1. The agamid lizard Stellio ( = Agama) stellio L. accelerated quickly on a level track. Lizards reached 95 % of maximum speed in an average of only 0-31 m and 0-19s. 2. Large lizards had higher initial accelerations (~M') and accelerated over longer distances and times than did small lizards. As a result, larger lizards achieved higher maximum speeds. Lizards of a given size that accelerated q...

Pastoralism is a major agricultural activity in drier environments, and can directly and indirectly impact native species in those areas. We investigated how the supply of an artificial watering point to support grazing livestock affected movement and activity patterns of the Australian sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) during a drought year. We observed 23 adult lizards; six had access to a dam, ...

Hosts and parasites form interacting populations that influence each other in multiple ways. Their dynamics can also be influenced by environmental and ecological factors. We studied host-parasite dynamics in a previously unexplored study system: side-blotched lizards and their micro-parasites. Compared with uninfected lizards, the infected lizards elected to bask at lower temperatures that wer...

Lizards (Podarcis muralis) preferentially use the left eye during spatial exploration in a binocular condition. Here we allowed 44 adult wild lizards to explore an unknown maze for 20 min under a temporary monocular condition whilst recording their movements, particularly the direction of turns made whilst walking within the maze. Lizards with a patch on their right eye, i.e. using their left e...

We quantified within-population variation in the seasonal abundance of free-living adult trombiculid mites and infestation of collared lizards by parasitic mite larvae at the Arcadia Lake Dam in Edmond, OK, U.S.A. Lizards on one of two habitat patches (front) harbored many more larval mites, and were more rapidly re-infested after mites were removed experimentally. Although female and male liza...

The crocodile lizard is a critically endangered reptile, and serious diseases have been found in this species in recent years, especially in captive lizards. Whether these diseases are caused by changes in the gut microbiota and the effect of captivity on disease remains to be determined. Here, we examined the relationship between the gut microbiota and diet and disease by comparing the fecal m...

Question: What is the basis for geographic variation in microhabitat use in fence lizards? Hypothesis: Population differences in microhabitat use reflect behavioural plasticity rather than genetic or experiential differences. Organisms: Western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis). Field site: Three sites (desert, valley, and mountain) in southern California, USA. Methods: We compared habita...

We acclimated adult males of three Eremias lizards from different latitudes to 28 °C, 33 °Cor 38 °Cto examine whether temperature acclimation affects their thermal preference and tolerance and whether thermal preference and tolerance of these lizards correspond with their latitudinal distributions. Overall , selected body temperature ( Tsel) and viable temperature range (VTR) were both highest ...