INTRDUCTION

 Reptiles play important role in ecosystem as prey for many birds, snakes and
other animals
 They are the important predators of insects.
 Pakistan hosts vastly unique biodiversity due to enormous altitudinal and environmental
gradients, leading to complex zoogeographic patterns. This richness is mainly high for
reptiles, having197 taxa including lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoise, crocodiles and gavels
(Rahman & Ifat, 1997).
 Laudakia tuberculata commonly known as Kashmir rock agama belongs to
genus laudakia.
 Occurs in North Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, China and Nepal.
 It is distributed in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhandand..
 Laudakia tuberculata is distributed in the northern most regions of Pakistan,
comprising parts of Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan.
Con..

 They are typified by Murree hill ranges including Galis, lower Kaghan and
Neelam valleys, extending westwards to eastern Swat, along Indus
Kohistan.(Bahuguna, 2008) (Wall, 1911) (Khan & Tasnim, 1986)
 Kashmir rock agama has been reported from Pir Lasura National
Park Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan at elevation of 1500-
2500m (Manzoor, Riaz, Iqbal, & Mian, 2013).
 The number of Kashmir rock agama was observed to increase from
March and become maximum in the months of June and July. The
number of individuals decreased towards the end of the year and
minimum number was reported during November and December (V.
Singh & H. Banyal, 2014).
 Con..
 The habitat of Kashmir rock agama is holes, crevices, rocky structures
near water sources and around the human habitations.
 During winter Kashmir rock agama inhabit cracks in rocks and old
buildings. Kashmir rock agama is observed basking frequently on the
rocks , wooden logs and on the roofs of houses and shops near human
settlement in western Himalaya (Baig, Philipp, Natalia, & Wolfgang,
2012).
 Bhatnagar (1967) reported that the habitats of Kashmir rock agama are
poor vegetation areas, semi-desert or desert type with a small cover and
insignificant herbs, shrubs and trees.
 Cont..

 Head is depressed, elongated, dorsal color is dark-olive brown with

numerous dark-brown spots on either side of a lighter vertebral line.

 Males during the breeding season acquire beautiful and brilliant shades
of bright yellow, orange bluish-black, purple and black on shoulders,
breast, flanks, under parts and throat.
 Standard length 140 mm; tail length 250mm.
(Singh & Banyal, 2014) (Boulenger, Annandale, & Wall, 1907; R C Waltner, 1991)
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Author and year Location Work
They have Reported the distribution Kashmir
rock agama (Laudakia tuberculata) is the
Saikia et al. (2007) India inhabitant of the Himalayas of Jammu and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, some parts of
Uttarakhand.

In Himachal Pradesh India two examples of road

(Karunarathna, kill of the Laudakia tuberculata were seen on a
Henkanaththegedara, stretch of road between Gajnoi and Jot in
India
Amarasinghe, & Silva, Chamba Area
2014)

They have described the Kashmir rock agama

being active during warmer times of the day and
Singh and Banyal were not sighted on days with low temperatures
India
(2014) and rains.
Cont..

Author and year Location Work

Tikader and Sharma They have also reported its fondness to vegetable
(1992) India matter including tender leaves, flowers and seeds of
wild plants.
He had studied several specimens from different
localities, including type material of Laudakia
Jammu and tuberculata, Laudakia. sacra, B. sykesii and
Baig (1992) Kashmir Laudakia dayana found several dissimilarities among
specimens from western mountain ranges. However,
on the eastern side of their distribution up to Sikkim
all material is more or less similar to L. tuberculata.

They described that it is impossible to describe

adequately even the standard, ‘everyday’ coloration,
(Panov, Zykova, & L.Yu, Nepal let alone the breeding coloration of males, which in
1997) the field may provide a wealth of information about
unique characters of particular taxa.
 STUDY OBJECTIVES
 The present work has been designed to substantiate the ecological
data on the less studied lizard present in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
with the aim to document;
 Distribution of Kashmir rock agama in and around Pir Lasura National Park

 Abundance and micro habitat utilization of Kashmir rock agama in the

study area.
 STUDY AREA

 The study area is located in district Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir,
Pakistan.
 District Kotli is sub-divided into six tehsils including; Kotli, Nakyal,
Sehnsa, Charhoi, Khuiratta and Dullian Jattan.
 Pir Lasura National Park is only National Park located in the district and is
situated between 33◦ 25.92 N and 74◦ 05.64 E in Nakyal.
Con..

 It mainly consists of one large and some patches of small hills.

 Pir Lasura National Park was established in 2005 with a total area of 1580ha

 The elevation of study area 1000-2000 m (asl).

 The average rainfall per annul is 1500 mm.

 Temperature of study area ranges between -5 °C to 48 °C.
(Akrim, Mahmood, Hussain, Qasim, & Zangi, 2017)
 Con..

 Our study area comprised of 20 study site including Sarda, Majooma, Chitti
Bakri, Johr Jabbar, Chowki Mong Ball, Chowki Mong Ratta, Panag, Panag
Gali, Supply Aghar, Seeri Nakyal, Pir Kana, sarandla Gali, Narali Hilla,
Narali Mohra, saloon katali Gae, Nail Sajooni, Mehrian, Nakyal Mehra,
Saloon Malla and Jandrot Ghora at elevation range 719 -1567m amsl.
 From 20 study sites Pir kana, Seeri Nakyal and Supply Aghar were in PLNP.
Con.. Map of Study area
 STUDY DESIGN
 This research work was conducted in and around Pir Lasura National Park
Azad Jammu and Kashmir during 2017 to 2018.

 Field surveys were conducted to record presence/absence of the species in

study area.

 Study sites were visited 7 days in each month and data were collected
during 9:00 hrs. to 17:00 hrs.

 The GPS location of each study site was recorded, and all data were
collected by using self-designed data sheets (Appendix I).
 Con..
Appendix I: Data sheet for documenting distribution and habitat utilization
Survey No. _____________________ Date ______________________________
Start Time ______________________ End Time __________________________
Site name _______________________ GPS location _______________________
Elevation (m) _________________ Distance from Human population (m) _____
Distance from Water reservoir (m) __________Distance from road ____________
Habitat Characteristics; a) habitat type _____________, b) Soil type____________
c) Major vegetation including Herbs, shrubs, trees__________________________
Aspect of hill_____________ No. of agama observed__________________
No. of fecal pellet collected_______ Site of fecal pellet deposition _____________
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
DISTRIBUTION
 Direct (direct sightings) and reported signs were used to document
distribution of Kashmir rock agama in the study area.
 GPS location of each sighting were recorded.
 We conducted extensive surveys of the study area to record direct sightings
of the species.
 All study sites having signs (direct sighting and reported) of species was
marked as positive (+) for distribution of species whereas, all areas having
no signs were marked as negative (-) for presence of Kashmir rock agama.
 Geographic coordinates of all sighting were recorded utilizing a handheld
GPS device (Garmin etrex 10).
 All data were processed in google earth pro software (Version 7.3.2.5491)
and vector data were transferred to ARC GIS and QGIS software to produce
distribution maps.
Cont…
ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION
 Line transect method was used during the field survey to record abundance.
 A total of nine transects were established in nine study sites.
 Transects were oriented according to the shape of the land patch and having variable length
having 30m width on each side.
 To record the sighting angle compass was used and the perpendicular distance from transect
to the lizard was recorded.
 We used a multi-prolonged strategy combining visual encounter survey (VES) along line
transects, patch sampling (PS) in all study sites and opportunistic observations.
 The number of Kashmir rock agama recorded on each transect were used to compute
abundance of the species.
 We used n/A formula to compute abundance.
 The collected data (Annexure II) was also be subjected to Distance software for estimation of
abundance. Distance sampling was one of the most widely used methods for adjusting counts
for detectability, which allowed the estimation of absolute density and abundance of wild
animals, including lizards (Buckland et al., 2001).
 Appendix II: Table for collection of data to
Con..
be processed in Distance software.
Site Transect Transect Transect Perpendicular No. of Agama
no length (m) width distance observed
Cont…
MICROHABITAT UTILIZATION
 To document microhabitat utilization of Kashmir rock agama, we computed habitat preference index (HPI) and percent
frequency of occurrence (Po) for each habitat feature.
 We collected data on habitat variables such as canopy cover, elevation, slope, presence of rock boulders, distance from
water source, distance from human settlement and distance from road.
 The start and end points of each transect were marked with a color tape and along each line, start and end points of each
plant species intercepting the line were noted.
 The difference between start and endpoint intercept length was divided by line length and multiplied by 100 to get
percent cover.
 The vegetation was further subdivided into woody cover (Trees and shrubs) and non-woody cover (herbs, forbs and
grasses). Substrate/soil was identified as rocky, hard/compact soil, dust and sandy. Total number of lizards in each
sampling site were counted along each transect having variable length(750m-1200m) and 30 m width on each side. Data
on distance to nearest water body, road, human settlement, canopy cover and presence of rock boulders were also
recorded. The preference for a specific habitat feature was determine by percentage of occurrence frequencies (Po) using
following formula; Po =(Occurrence 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 of a specific habitat feature Total number of kashmir rock agama
observed) × 100
 A high value of Po indicated high preference for a specific habitat feature by Kashmir rock agama.
 We divide habitat into different habitat types viz; Pinus forest with rock boulders, Rocky area with shrubs, Grass land
with cultivated area and Hilly area with human settlements
 The preference for a specific habitat type was determined using a Habitat Preference Index (HPI) computed as; HPI = Sn
/A where; Sn = direct signs of Kashmir rock agama and A = area sampled
 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
 The habitat features such as elevation, canopy cover, slope, distance from water
source, distance from human settlements and distance from road were correlated
with the direct sighting of Kashmir rock agama in the study area.
 For this purpose, we applied a Pearson correlation to check whether these habitat
features correlated with the direct sightings of Kashmir rock agama or not. All
analysis were performed in SPSS software version 23.
 The collected data of abundance were subjected to Distance software for
estimation of abundance using different models such as key function/series
expansion; uniform/cosine, half-normal/hermite polynomial and hazard-
rate/simple polynomial. Model having lowest value of Akaike’s information
criterion (AIC) was selected.
 RESULTS
• Table 4.1: Distribution of Laudakia tuberculata in and around PLNP.
• Site Name GPS coordinates Elevation Direct sighting Reported Sighting
• 1 Chowki Mong Ratta 33°28´14ʺN 73°57´36ʺE 726m + +
• 2 Chowki Mong Ball 33°27´52ʺN 73°55´51ʺE 719m + +
• 3 Majooma 33°31´22ʺN 73°55´33ʺE 757m + +
• 4 Sarda 33°31´28ʺN 73°55´07ʺE 741m - +
• 5 Chitti Bakri 33°31´01ʺN 73°50´08ʺE 900m - +
• 6 Johr Jabbar 33°31´28ʺN 73°56´25ʺE 932m - +
• 7 Panag Gali 33°29´19ʺN 73°59´08ʺE 1170m + +
• 8 Panag 33°30´16ʺN 73°59´30ʺE 807m - +
• 9 Pir Kana 33°28´43ʺN 74°04´17ʺE 1498m + +
• 10 Seeri Nakyal 33°27´25ʺN 74°05´09ʺE 1567m + +
• 11 Narali Mohra 33°33´31ʺN 74°1´2ʺE 1295m + +
• 12 Narali Hilla 33°30´10ʺN 74°1´35ʺE 1211m + +
• 13 Saloon katali Gae 33°31´07ʺN 74°02´17ʺE 1053m - +
• 14 Nail Sajooni 33°30´10ʺN 74°10´58ʺE 993m - +
• 15 Supply Aghar 33°28´29ʺN 74°02´34ʺE 1133m - +
• 16 Mahrian 33°30´12ʺN 74°02´04ʺE 1295m - +
• 17 Nakyal Mehra 33°31´18ʺN 74°04´01ʺE 1066m - +
• 18 Sarandla Gali 33°28´16ʺN 73°55´22ʺE 1171m + +
• 19 Saloon Malla 33°30´47ʺN 74°02´04ʺE 1295m - +
• 20 Jandrot Ghora 33°31´11ʺN 74°4´43ʺE 1082m - +
• Total 09 20
 Con..
of Laudakia tuberculata in different study sites.
Site Name GPS Coordinates Elevation Transect Length Width Area (ha) No. L. tuberculate obs.
Chowki Mong Ratta 33°28´14ʺN 73°57´36ʺE 726m 1 800 30 2.4 1
Chowki Mong Bahl 33°27´52ʺN 73°55´51ʺE 719m 1 750 30 2.25 5
Majooma 33°31´22ʺN 73°55´33ʺE 757m 1 800 30 2.4 1
Panag Gali 33°29´19ʺN 73°59´08ʺE 1170m 1 850 30 2.55 8
Peer Kana 33°28´43ʺN 74°04´17ʺE 1498m 1 800 30 2.4 6
Seeri Nakyal 33°27´25ʺN 74°05´09ʺE 1567m 1 1200 30 3.6 4
sarandla Gali 33°28´16ʺN 73°55´22ʺE 1171m 1 700 30 2.1 2
Narali Hilla 33°30´10ʺN 74°1´35ʺE 1211m 1 750 30 2.25 6

Narali Mohra 33°33´31ʺN 74°1´2ʺ E 1295m 1 900 30 2.7 3

.61
 Abundance of Kashmir rock
Con.. agama in different study sites

2.5
2.5

1.5

0.8 0.833
0.714 0.75
0.5

0.277 0.272 0.25

0.0625
0
Chowki Mong Chowki Mong Majooma Panag Gali Peer Kana Seeri Nakyal sarandla gali Narali hilla Narali mohra
Ratta Ball
 Summary of candidate model used and the
Con.. model fir in line transect analyses of Laudakia
tuberculate

Delta ESW/
Name Params AIC AIC EDR D D LCL D UCL D CV

Uniform Cosine 0 0 69.31 4 219.715 181.176 266.452 0.095

Half Normal-
Hermite poly
nominal 1 2 71.31 4 219.715 125.592 384.378 0.279

Hazards rate-simple
poly nominal 2 3.91 73.22 3.9 230.74 172.433 308.762 0.146
PI) of Habitat types.

Con..
Sr. Habitat type Major vegetations (tree, herb, Direct Area HPI Preference
No. shrub) sighting (ha) Rank

1 Grass land with Penisetum typhord, Phlaris minor, 2 2.7 0.74 4

Cultivated area Triticum aestivum, Juglans regia.

2 Pinus Forest with Pinus roxburghii, 18 8.55 2.10 1

rock boulders Phlaris minor,Morus alba.

3 Hilly area with Pinus roxburghii, 3 2.25 1.33 3

human Punica granatum,Olea europaea.
Settlements

4 Rocky area with Achnatherum hymenoides, Dalbergia 13 9.15 1.42 2

shrubs sissoo, Dodonia viscasa.
 Habitat preference index (HPI) of Kashmir
Con.. rock agama at different study sites, in and
around Pir Lasura National Park.
2.5

2 2.1

1.5

1.42
1.33

0.74
0.5

0
Pinus Forest with rock boulders Rocky area with shrubs Hilly area with human SettlementsGrass land with Cultivated area
 Con..
Environmental features Description Sub-category No. of sighting Po
Elevation 500m - 1000m 07 19.44%
1001m - 1500m 25 69.44%
1501m - 2000m 04 11.11%
Canopy Cover Dense 70%-100% 04 11.11%
Medium 41% - 70% 11 30.55%
Low 0% - 40% 21 58.33%
Slope Low <30˚ 12 33.33%
Moderate 30˚~60˚ 14 39%
Steep >60˚ 10 28%
Presence of rock boulders Yes 36 100%
No
Distance from water source 0m - 500m O7 19.44%
501m - 1000m 17 47.22%
1001m - 1500m 12 33.33%
> 1500m
Distance from human settlement < 500m 08 22.22%
501m - 1000m 18 50%
1001m - 1500m 06 16.66%
> 1500m 04 11.11%
Distance from Road < 500m 15 41.66%
501m - 1000m 08 22.22%
1001m - 1500m 09 25%
 Con..

100
69.44

58.33

47.22

50

41.66
39
33.33

33.33
30.55

28

22.22
22.22

25
19.44

19.44

16.66
11.11
11.11

11.11

11.11%
ELEVATION CANOPY COVER SLOPE P R E S E ND
CIES T
OAFNRCOECFKR O M W ADTIE
SRTANCE FROM HUM
DAI SNT A N C E F R O M R O A D
BOULDERS SOURCE SETTLEMENT
 Con..
Direct sighting of Laudakia tuberculata from different Habitat types

Sr. Habitat type Major vegetations (tree, herb, shrub) Direct

No. sightings

1 Grass land with cultivated area Penisetum typhord, Phlaris minor, 2

Triticum aestivum,
Juglans regia.

2 Hilly area with human Pinus roxburghii, 3

settlements Punica granatum,Olea europaea.

3 Pinus forest with rock boulders Pinus roxburghii, 18

Phlaris minor, Morus alba.

4 Rocky area with shrubs Achnatherum hymenoides, Dalbergia sissoo, Dodonia 13

viscosa.
 Con..
20

18
18

16

14

13
12

10

3
2
2

0
 Pearson correlation of all the
Con.. habitat features.
Sr. No. Habitat Characteristics Pearson Correlation P

1 Elevation 0.432 0.246

2 Canopy Cover -0.270 0.482

3 Slope -0.265 0.492

4 Distance from water source 0.337 0.375

5 Distance from human settlement -0.180 0.644

6 Distance from Road 0.057 0.884

 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 Kashmir rock agama was found distributed at 20 sites at an elevation

ranging between 719 -1567m a,m,s,l.
 Abundance of Kashmir rock agama was high at Pang Gali site
(3.33/ha) and low at Chowki Mong Ratta site (0.41/ha) and Mjooma
(0.41/ha) sites.
 Kashmir rock agama preferred elevation range of 1001-1500 m (Po =
69.44%). It preferred low canopy cover (0-40 %, Po = 58.33%),
moderately sloppy areas (Po = 39%), rock boulders (Po = 100%), 501-
1000m distance from water source (Po = 47.22%), distance from road
<500m (Po = 41.66%) and 501-1000m distance from human
settlement (Po = 50%).
 More detailed studies on ecology of species should be conducted vital
for conservation of the species in the region.
Con..
THANKS