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DeAgamis2: 2nd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AGAMID LIZARDS
In general, higher relationships in the genus Acanthocercus and its relationships to other Agami-nae genera are poorly understood, but especially the understanding of the different species and subspecies of the atricollis species group should be reviewed for the understanding of the zoogeographic history of eastern Africa. A dense sampling within the genus and to related genera is lacking but neces-
sary for testing monophyly, identifying sister taxa and distribution corridors. Herein a preliminary phy-logeny is presented to show radiations within the genus, taxonomic problems on species level and results on distribution pattern in comparison with other arid species groups in Africa.
Key words: Agamidae, Agaminae, Acantho-cercus, arid corridor, Africa.
ON THE THERMOBIOLOGY AND ACTIVITY PATTERN
OF THE LARGE HERBIVOROUS DESERT LIZARD UROMASTYXAEGYPTIA MICROLEPIS BLANFORD, 1875 AT MAHAZAT AS-SAYD PROTECTED AREA, SAUDI ARABIA
Thomas Wilms
Zoologischer Garten Frankfurt 1 Bemhard-Grzimek-Allee, D-60316 Frankfurt am Main, Germany E-mail: [email protected]
Field active body temperatures (Tb) and operative temperatures (Te) were assessed in a population of Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis at Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area, Saudi Arabia to gain information on the extent and effectiveness of the thermoregulation in these animals. In summer Tb ranged between 23.2 and 47.2°C, in winter between 23.0 and 45.1°C and in spring between 25.5 and 45.9°C. There is a significant difference between respective Tb and Te distributions and all applied indices of thermoregulation suggest that U. a. microlepis is an active thermoregulator. Above ground activity, in-
ferred from Tb data, is very variable between seasons, with the highest activity level in spring. In winter the animals showed a unimodal activity profile, with the highest activity between 11:00 and 15:00. In spring and summer the lizards exhibit bimodal activity profiles with afternoon activity being generally lower than morning activity levels. At midday activity is generally significantly lowered.
Key words: Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, thermobiology, activity profiles, field active body temperatures.
A REVIEW ON THE TAXONOMY OF THE GENERA UROMASTYX AND SAARA
Thomas Wilms 1, Philipp Wagner 2, and Wolfgang Böhme 2
1 Zoologischer Garten Frankfurt 1 Bemhard-Grzimek-Allee, D-60316 Frankfurt am Main, Germany E-mail: [email protected] 2 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum A. Koenig 160 Adenauerallee, D-53113 Bonn, Germany E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
The taxonomic relationships within the genus Uromastyx Merrem, 1820 were assessed using morphological and genetic methods, resulting in the resurrection of the genus Saara Gray, 1845 for Saara
hardwickii, S. asmussi and S. loricata. A synopsis of all taxa considered to be valid within Uromastyx and Saara is provided.
Key words: Uromastyx, Saara, taxonomy.
COBPEMEHHA3 TEPnETO.nOrHtf 2010 T. 10, Bbm. 3/4
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