MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SPINY TAILED LIZARD (SAARA HARDWICKII) FROM LESSER CHOLISTAN DESERT, BAHAWALPUR, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Current study was conducted to collect the data on morphometric of spiny-tailed lizard ( Saara hardwickii) in lesser Cholistan desert area, Punjab, Pakistan. Fifty one spiny-tailed lizards were collected from poachers with the help of the Punjab Parks & Wildlife Department, Pakistan. Among them 23 were male, 21 were females and 7 were hatclings. Total body mass recorded was: Female=17.50-102 g, Male=19-174.50 g). Total body length (BL) ranged in male: 16-20 cm and female 12-15 cm). Snout vent length (SVL) measured for all specimens were; male 8-16.70 cm and female 7.70-14.05 cm). Tail length (TL) was ranged from 13-19 cm in male and 14-160cm in female and spines on tail were 25-31 in male and 21-25 in female. Comparison between male and female morphometric was made using the Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA). The f-ratio value was 19.291. The result is significant at p < .01. Habitat destruction and illegal trading have devastated the survival and existence of Indian spiny-tailed lizard and make it conservation dependent. Detail study is required on ecology of spiny-tailed lizard for its management and conservation in lesser Cholistan desert; one of major areas of its distribution in Pakistan.