Habitat factors determining the distribution of the Caucasian Agama, Laudakia caucasia, (Squamata: Agamidae) in the Sorkh-e-Hesar National Park, Tehran province, Iran

Abstract

The distribution of the Caucasian agama (Laudakia caucasia) has been studied related to structural parameters during spring and summer 2010 in an area of 9186 ha in the Sorkh-e-Hesar National Park, Tehran province, Iran. The habitat parameters included structure properties of plant coverage, plant richness, proportional surface coverage of rock and bare soil, distance to the nearest shelter and topography (slope, cardinal direction and altitude). In total, 92 plots were sampled and habitat suitability was analysed using binary logistic regression. Results showed that, ordered by significance, rocky coverage, bare soil and plant coverage are the most efficient factors explaining the presence of the agama species in the study area. The relationship of each significant habitat parameter is briefly discussed in the context of the lizard's biology, and its need for thermally and structurally suitable microhabitats.

Keywords:

• Agamidae
• suitability of habitat
• Sorkh-e-Hesar
• binary logistic regression
• preference for rocky habitat