Current Population Status of Diurnal Lizards of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Five districts of Karachi (East, West, South, Central and Malir) contain resident populations of lizards. During the present studies the current status of diurnal lizards of Karachi was investigated. The faunistic studies were based on seven species from three districts East, South and Malir of Karachi. 182 lizards were captured belonging to seven species, six genera and four families; Agamidae, Scincidae, Lacertidae and Varanidae. Among the 182 captured lizards were 56 Indian Garden Lizards, Calotes versicolor; 20 Indian Spiny-tailed Lizards, Uromastyx hardwickii; 72 Bronze Grass Skinks, Mabuya macularia; 8 Striped Grass Skinks, Mabuya dissimilis; 15 Indian Fringe-toad Sand Lizards, Acanthodactylus cantoris; 10 Long-tailed Desert Lacertas, Mesalina watsonana, and 1 Indian Monitor Varanus bengalensis. The results of the present study indicate that the current status of diurnal lizards, i.e., Indian Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), Bronze Grass Skink (Mabuya macularia), Striped Grass Skink (Mabuya dissimilis), Indian Fringe-toad sand Lizard (Acanthodactylus cantoris), and Long-tailed Desert Lacerta (Mesalina watsonana) are common in three selected districts of Karachi, while the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) and Indian Monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) have been recorded as threatened species. Uromastyx hardwickii is an endangered species and is already included in the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix. Internationally, 25% of reptiles are listed as threatened (IUCN, 2002). In Pakistan some lizard species are threatened. Present studies also recorded Uromastyx hardwickii and Varanus bengalensis as threatened species in the three districts of Karachi. The Brilliant Agama (Trapelus agilis isolepis) was not found in the three districts of Karachi. Either it is threatened or has gone extinct or has been shifted to other habitats due to destruction of habitat and increase of human population.