The role of vegetation in burrow site selection by Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard, Saara loricata (Blanford, 1875) in Mish Dagh Protected Area, Khuzestan province

Abstract

Understanding environmental factors which affect burrow site selection by reptiles is known as a useful tool for biodiversity conservation and management. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of vegetation richness, diversity, and cover on burrow site selection by Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard in Mish Dagh Protected Area, Khuzestan province. Vegetation characteristics were measured in 415 presence/absence circle plots (11.5-m radius). The entrance hole of active dens was taken into account as the center of presence plots. Absence plots also were located in 200-500 m apart from each entrance hole in one of the eight randomly selected cardinal directions. We used t-test to evaluate the differences of vegetation richness, diversity and cover between presence/absence plots. Our results revealed that vegetation factors were significantly different between present and absence plots. Vegetation around den site play critical role to supply food and shelter for lizards which affects their survival rate positively.