Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK
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Journal of Bioresource Management Volume 6 Issue 4 Article 2 Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK Jibran Haider Forest and wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Inayatullah Malik University of Lakki Marwat, Lakki Marwat, Pakistan Sabiha Shamim Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Selangor, Malaysia, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/jbm Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Haider, J., Malik, I., & Shamim, S. (2019). Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK, Journal of Bioresource Management, 6 (4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35691/JBM.9102.0112 ISSN: 2309-3854 online (Received: Jan 6, 2020; Accepted: Jan 6, 2020; Published: Oct 31, 2019) This Article is brought to you for free and open access by CORE Scholar. 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Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK J Biores Manag. 6 (4): 8-18 WILDLIFE SURVEY OF NATIONAL PARKS TO ASSESS REPTILIAN BIODIVERSITY, AJK JIBRAN HAIDER1, INAYATULLAH MALIK2 AND SABIHA SHAMIM3* 1Forest and Wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan 2Department of Zoology, The University of Lakki Marwat, Lakki Marwat, Pakistan 3Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT The class Reptilia belongs to phylum Chordata. This group forms a large community of the land vertebrates. However, they remain relatively under-examined. Roll et al. (2017) studied the global distribution of more than 10,000 reptiles. Nearly194 reptilian species have been reported from Pakistan (WWF, n.d.). Five protected parks were studied from February 2008 to May 2010. Dhirkot Nature Reserve (DNR), Banjosa Nature Reserve (BNR), Tolipir National Park (TNP), Pir Chanasi National Park (PCNP) and Pir Lasura National Park (PLNP) were considered. Fifteen species of reptiles were observed in TNP. Ten species of reptiles were recorded from PCNP. Ten species of reptiles were confirmed from DNR, including 6 species of snakes. The present study could collect the evidence on the presence of 14 reptile species distributed under different habitat conditions of BGR. The total number of species of reptiles recorded in PLNP during the study was 24. Keywords: Lizards, snake, turtle, wildlife, biodiversity INTRODUCTION folk medicines and even in recent medical science some species of reptiles are being The class Reptilia belongs to phylum used for drug production. Keeping in view Chordata. This group forms a large the medicinal use of reptiles their community of the land vertebrates. conservational activities need to be planned However, they remain relatively under- for sustainable use of the reptiles (Alves, examined. Roll et al. (2017) studied the 2008). global distribution of more than 10,000 For effective conservation, targeted reptiles. Socotra, New Caledonia and actions are required which further need Antilles are global hotspots for reptiles. detailed information of species distribution, Nearly194 reptilian species have been ecology, systematics and other possible reported from Pakistan; 9 vipers and pit threats like human-induced loss of habitat vipers, 14 sea snakes, 5 kraits and cobras, 40 should be addressed properly (Monika, colubrids, 1 python, 3 boas, 2 thread snakes, 2013). Most of the species of reptiles have 6 blind snakes, 4 monitor lizards, 17 skinks, not yet been evaluated for their conservation 14 sand lizards, 1 chameleon, 2 spinytail status. This study hopes to provide lizards, 24 Agamas, 36 eyelid and lidless information on the species richness of the geckos, 1 crocodile, 4 softshell turtles, 5 class Reptilia in the study area which will marine turtles, 2 tortoise and 4 pond and help in planning conservation activities for river turtles (WWF, n.d.). them. It is reported that 53% of reptile species are endangered globally including 30 families with 104 genera and 156 species of reptiles. They were traditionally used as 8 Haider et al. (2019). Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK J Biores Manag. 6 (4): 8-18 MATERIALS AND METHODS Five protected parks were studied from February 2008 to May 2010. Dhirkot Nature Reserve (DNR), Banjosa Nature Reserve (BNR), Tolipir National Park (TNP), Pir Chanasi National Park (PCNP) and Pir Lasura National Park (PLNP) were considered. An initial survey of the study sites was done using camera surveillance (Arc View GIS 3.3, 1992-2002), information was gathered by discussing the physical characters and possible locations of species with local inhabitants. Using literary sources (Khan, 2006) an approximate list of species likely present in the study area was formulated. Indirect indicators such as burrows, footprints, molts and droppings were also noted. 9 Haider et al. (2019). Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK J Biores Manag. 6 (4): 8-18 RESULTS Table 1: List of reptile species recorded from BGR, DNR, PCNP, PLNP and TNP S No. Names Pictures Habitat Food Breeding season Remarks Status Local Global sightings * (%) 1. Indogekko Crevices among rocks, Feeds on May to June. Pair Distributed in south BGR= 31 LC rohtasfortai holes and under rocks. photophilic of oblong eggs eastern AJK, DNR= 34 Rohtas reg- insects. glued to the sides nocturnal. PLNP= 34 sang chapkali of crevices. TNP= 31 2. Laudakia Rock crevices. insects Late March-May. Lives in rocks of BGR= 4 DD melanura 10-15 eggs moderate elevations PLNP= 42 melanura, Black rock agama 3. Laudakia Rock blocks at Herbivorous, April- June, 6-9 predominantly BGR= 56 LRLC tuberculata elevation of 1500- feeds on hard shelled eggs herbivorous DNR= 31 Neela kirla 2500m. arthropods, laid under rocks PLNP= 29 leaves and in more than 1 TNP= 31 flowers clutch. PCNP= 4. Laudakia Crevices among rock Insects and Clutch size varies Lives in crevices BGR= 41 NT agrorensis, blocks. caterpillars. from 6-8 eggs. among rock blocks. PLNP= 27 Agrore wadi TNP= 19 kirla PCNP= 24 5. Typhlops Rocky pine country - - - BGR= 21 DD ductuliformes side with lush green DNR= 09 Slender blind grasses PLNP=36 snake TNP= 24 10 Haider et al. (2019). Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK J Biores Manag. 6 (4): 8-18 6. Lissemys Muddy ditches, lakes, Adult frogs, May-June. Eggs Inhabits wide BGR= 13 LRLC punctata marshes, vegetation, tadpoles, fishes, lain in summer. variations of DNR= 01 andersoni salt, rivers, ponds, crustaceans, Clutch size varies environment and PCNP= Moonji streams, rice fields fish larvae, from 6-14 eggs. habitats, hibernates 09 kunchwa carrion, water in winter PLNP=24 plants, bivalve TNP= 16 mollusks and snails. 7. Eurylepis Loose sandy soil, Different kinds March to may.4-8 Almost deserticolous BGR=29 DD taeniolatus loamy with scrubby of arthropods oval eggs with habitat. TNP= 49 Common mole vegetation, mostly and worms. pliable shells is skink close to water courses. laid under stones. Maidani reg- mahi 8. Naja oxiana Dry wasteland, lives Rodents, birds, - Inhabits dry BGR= 35 NT Brown cobra in holes and crevices snakes, lizard wastelands, lives in DNR= 19 Bhoora naag in uneven ground, and mice. holes and crevices in PCNP=24 carrions and holes in unleveled ground. TNP= 37 rocks. Carnivores. 9. Bioga trigonata Thick jungles, Tree lizards, Breeds from Thick jungles, DNR= 13 C Common cat plantations and birds, eggs, march to may. 7- grasslands with snake grasslands with nestlings, 10 eggs lain moderately thick TNP= 33 moderately thick grasshoppers under tree bark bushes. Typically bushes. and mice. and under stones. arboreal. Nocturnal, carnivorous. 10. Bungarus Grasslands, semi Toads, frogs, Breeding march Krait frequents DNR= 20 FC caeruleus deserts with alluvial snakes, lizards to july.6-8 eggs grasslands, common caeruleus soil, vegetation, barns, and mice. lay at some in marginal PLNP= 33 farms, groves and protected place. vegetation along Common krait gardens. tilled fields, lives in TNP= 40 holes and crevices, deadliest snake, nocturnal, 11 Haider et al. (2019). Wildlife Survey of National Parks to Assess Reptilian Biodiversity, AJK J Biores Manag. 6 (4): 8-18 11. Eublepharis Rocky stony terrain, Beetles, Breeding march Inhabits rocky stony DNR= 32 C macularius mudflats with sparse grasshoppers, to may.2-6 oval terrains, mudflats grass and bushes in spider and eggs with smooth with sparse grass, TNP= 60 Leopard geko mesic to xeric scorpions. pliable shells lain and bushes. condition. in more than 2 Gregarious, Korrh kirli clutches in a nocturnal. hibernates season. Eggs lain in winter. in the humid environs of a crevice. 12. Platyceps Sub mountainous Skinks, lizards, - Lives in sub DNR= 42 C rhodorachis stony habitats with eggs and mountainous stony kashmiriensis hard reddish soil, pine nestlings. habitats with reddish PLNP= 34 Kashmir tree and hedges.