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1. INTRODUCTION Reptiles play a significant role in the balance of an ecosystem as the

prey and predator in the food chain. Knowledge about species composition, ecological
distribution, and population dynamics are key to understand the ecological processes to
maintain a healthy ecosystem. In ecological investigation and applied wildlife
management, it is vital to monitor the wild animal population density to understand
what effects a species may have on the environment (Andrewartha and Birch 1954,
Fuller et al.

2007), whereas the heterogeneous environment provides a wide range of dynamic

habitats to an animal which have direct influence on animals selected microhabitat and
species microhabitat preferences are an important aspect of an organism’s niche (Travis
et al., 2016). However, population estimation of reptiles is challenging due to their
cryptic nature, secretive behavior and difficulty in detection (Turner et al., 1997). Wildlife
biologists strongly encouraged to consider probability of detection to estimate the true
occupancy of study site due to above constraints (Buckland et al., 1993, 2001; Nichols et
al. 2000, Thompson 2002).

Over the past decade,distance sampling methods has been successfully practiced to
estimate population densities predominantly large- bodied reptiles species (Cassey and
Ussher 1999; Anderson et al., 2001; Hailey and Willemsen 2000; Harlow and Biciloa 2001;
Young et al., 2008). Equally practiced to estimate the population density for small-
bodied reptiles species (Akin 1998; Jenkins et al., 1999; Young et al., 2006; Grant and
Doherty 2007; Deepak and Vasudevan 2008; Venugopal 2010).

As alternation of habitat causes a decline in population, it also influences the

microhabitat variables as well in lizards such as temperature (Davis and Verbeek 1972),
light ( Martin and Salvador 1997, Howard and Hailey 1999) moisture (Melville and
Schulte 2001; Leal and Fleishman 2002). As most of the understanding of the habitat
preferences of lizards comes from the studies on iguanids like Anoles and Iberian rock
lizards that are focused mainly in the temperate regions (Radder 2006b). In contrast to
temperate lizards, little is known about the habitat and microhabitat selection in tropical
ecosystems In this study, I estimated the population density of Psammophilus
blanfordanus using transect- based distance sampling in different habitat structures and
characterize microhabitat selection in a wild population of Indian rock agamas. I have
tried looking at the factors that influenced the detectability and microhabitat selection
at different age-sex categories.

I also interested in understanding how well the distance sampling method may work for
lizards in natural habitat for population estimations, and this study may broaden the
parameter of the microhabitat selection. In the near future, it may be fruitful for research
and management plans for endemic Agamid. 2. AIM OF THE STUDY The study aims to
understand the population and microhabitat association of Psammophilus blanfordanus
in Hasdeo-Arand Coalfield, Chhattisgarh, India 2.1 OBJECTIVES The following objectives
are pursued in order to fulfill the above aim.

A. To estimate the population density and detection function of Pssamophilus

blanfordanus. B. To find out the variation in population density in different habitat types
and age-sex classes. C. To study the microhabitat use of Pssamophilus blannfordanus. I
predicted that the density of P.blanfordanus would vary in different habitat types and
age-sex category and this variation would be biologically and ecologically significant.
Besides, I tried to investigate the physiological and ecological factors that influence
microhabitat selection. 3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3.1

POPULATION DENSITY Assessing wildlife conservation and management practices

population quantification cost-efficient methods are essential therefore, there is a trade-
off between accuracy of estimates and simplicity of the method (Anderson et al., 2001;
Rabe et al., 2002). The easily implemented transect- based method that depends on
visual encounters of individuals, can be conducted by few observers, enable large
coverage of the study area and the capture-recapture and processing of animals are not
necessary.

However, the variance in detection probability of animals is sensitive to reliability and

accuracy of estimates from transect sampling, which can differ as an outcome of habitat
heterogeneity, species, and observer(Burnham and Anderson et al.,1984; Diefenbach et
al., 2003). The studies have indicated that the population density estimation are more
reliable and accurate by mark-recapture methods as compared to methods that based
on transect methodologies, although it requires more resources and time (Funk et al.,

2003; Grant and Doherty et al ., 2007). The transect-based methods precision and
accuracy is eventually based on satisfying assumptions associated with the detectability
of animals. Distance sampling is comparatively new technique (Buckland at al., 1993) for
assessing wildlife abundance that has acquired appreciable favor for certain
herpetological sampling complications (Akin et al., 1998; Thompson et al., 1998).
Distance sampling is ideally suited to evaluate how many individuals or clusters of
individuals of the species of interest appear in a defined study area (Buckland et al.,
2000; Canadas and Hammond et al., 2006; Marques et al., 2007).

It is a transect method that can consider for detection biases related to distance
between the observer and object on the transect line. It based exclusively on the
encounter rate of animals; hence it is acknowledged to be a better population density
estimator as compare to traditional transect sampling (Otto and Pollock et al., 1990;
Buckland et al., 2001). This method share a fundamental concept which reliably assured
that some of the individuals of species within the search area are not detected, and by
recording additional data, we can quantify the proportion of those individuals that were
missed during sampling. This additional data generally composed of the distance to the
detection i.e., radial distance from the point for point transects or perpendicular
distance from the line for line transect (Buckland et al.,

2001) and to estimate a detection function these distances are utilized. This detection
function may then be used to estimate the average detection probability within the
searched area, which is applied to scale up the number of observed detections to an
estimate of the number of individuals or number of clusters of species in the search
area. At the end it is converted into an estimate of density or abundance in the study
area by using a design-based program where the number of individuals in the search
area is divided by the proportion of the study area that was searched.

In Buckland et al. (2001) this estimator of abundance or density of the study species is
summarized. These conventional distance sampling (CDS) methods depend on certain
assumptions (Buckland et al., 1993, 2001; Burnham et al., 1980): The observation process
is a snapshot and animals are detected at their initial location. Due to animal movement
whether it is responsive to observer or random the estimate of average detection
probability will be biased for line and point transect. Objects on the line or point are
detected with certainty. The abundance estimation is expected to be negatively biased,
if some animals on the line are missed due to perception or availability bias.

Animals are distributed independently on the lines or points so the detections are
independent. Distance measurements are exact. Measurement errors may cause biased
abundance estimates by under- or overestimating the average detection probability.
The detection of all objects on the transect line is one key design assumption of
distance sampling. Density estimated lead to biased low, for example, if detection
probability is less than 1.0 on the transect line. When animals are morphologically or
behaviorally cryptic, or if observers differ in their ability to detect subject can be reason
for biases (Graham and Bell et al., 1989; Marsh and Sinclair et al., 1989; Laake and
Borchers et al., 2004).

To evaluate a correction factor that accounts for non detected objects on the transect
line the distance sampling has been integrated with other methods e.g. double observer
counts, radio -tracking ( Laake et al., 1997; Borchers et al., 1998; Nichols et al., 2000;
Anderson et al., 2001; Hounsome et al., 2005; Kissling and Garton et al., 2006). Richard et
al., (1999) the distance sampling survey has been done for the monitoring of chameleon
populations in undisturbed rainforest study area.

Sampling in complex habitat like rainforest one of the essential advantage of distance
sampling is it allows some animals to remain missed without loss of precision of density
estimate. For the spatial and temporal comparison of population densities distance
sampling is more suitable due to controls for detectability conclude by the study. Rodda
and Campbell (2002) applied distance sampling method on different gecko species
(Gehrya multilata, Hemidactylus frenatus and Lepidodactylus lugubris) and the Brown
treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in relation with mark-recapture for snakes and total
removal for geckos. In comparison to higher validity methods the population density
estimation by distance sampling is more biased.

Due to violation of few distance sampling assumptions it is impractical to produce

unbiased estimates of squamate population density. However distance estimates cannot
be used as an abundance index when comparing species if detection is not definite on
centerline and differs between species. And the validation studies among different
species, habitats and seasons would be required to derived the ratio of undercounting is
consistent for distance sampling to have efficacy as a single species index and use of
total removal plots for validating the accuracy for population estimation methods
(Rodda et al., 2001) Reisinger et al.,

(2006) conducted nocturnal survey using distance sampling to assessed habitat

association and evaluated conservation status of endemic dwarf chameleon species,
Bradypodion sp. in Dhlinza forest, South Africa. The density estimates extrapolated to
quantify population size if the assumption met that transects are randomly placed in
distance sampling such that habitat types sampled proportionally to their occurrence
(Buckland et al., 2001). Perhaps in study they estimated density for each habitat type
(forest interior, gaps and edges ) and multiplied it by area represented by that transect
type and added the three different estimated abundance to get final outcome of an
estimation of population size cause the transect were not distributed randomly. This
initial estimation are indicative and strongly suggested to used the study result to be
extrapolate for furthermore conservation and monitoring wildlife populations.

Nicole 2008 estimate the population and effect of oil and gas development on dune
dwelling lizards (Sceloporus arenicolus) by distance sampling compared with total
removal plot. In analysis the mean density estimated by total removal plot was
significantly higher 6.5 times than the mean density estimated via distance sampling. In
total removal plot method the accounted both active and inactive lizards that were
found during sand raking and vegetation removal while in distance sampling even
though double observer survey it did not accounted the lizards which were under the
surface and inactive. So the use of double -server correction factor was not considered
suitable to avoid the detection biases of distance sampling methods for lizards.

In tropical Asia the distance sampling method is rarely practiced for population density
estimation for reptilian species (Venugopal et al., 2010). At recent the only study that
shows the agamidae species population estimation from distance sampling was
Veerapan and Vasudevan 2007 and Venugopal et al., 2010. Veerapan and Vasudevan
2007 used transect based distance sampling to estimate endemic Salea anamallayana in
southern Western Ghat, India.

Transect survey conducted in four different habitats in shola forest patch, tea
plantations, eucalyptus plantation and mid-elevation evergreen forest. It observed that
there were no significant difference in detection probabilities in tea plantation and shola
forest, 0.51 and 0.50 respectively. Line transects sampling proved a reliable method for
estimating density, which served as an effective method in complex habitat such as
Western Ghats. Venugopal et al.,

(2010) quantified population density of agamid reptiles in human modified habitats of

Valparai plateau, Western ghats in different landscape types. The transects were based
on random in relation to the agamid reptile distribution, important assumption of line
transect sampling. The encounters rate varies within different landscape. As in study
about 93% of the agamid species Pssamophilus blanfordanus detection were from
single line transect, thereby demonstrate a strongly spatially clumped distribution.

Subsequently, the estimated detection probability through this study could be used for
future research in planning sampling efforts using distance sampling for other agamid
and reptile species. These are some elements of distance sampling method which are
worth to mentioning to successfully implement it in sampling designing. The detection
of herpetofauna seems difficult in their natural environment ( Mazerolle et al., 2007) and
due to rarity and patchy distribution of many species the estimation of density is
problematic( Noon et al., 2006). Mazerolle et al.,

(2007) encouraged herpetologists to adopt distance sampling method that account for
detectability and could be potentially used to estimates abundance or density, detection
probability with developed approaches for analyses relative to other methods. 3.2
MICROHABITAT SELECTION Organism’s selection and usage of habitat varies
numerously across spatial and temporal scales. The study of habitat selection is the
fundamental and core concept of wildlife ecology that has interested the researchers in
studying the quality of changing habitat for a particular species or taxa (Rachlow, 2008) .

Habitat selection for a particular individual is facilitated through the hierarchical

movement behaviours such as foraging, dispersal, and migration, but prior to the
understanding of the causes behind such movement, the word ‘selection’ needs to be
defined. The definition of Habitat Selection has fundamentally been described in two
different terms based on the objective of the study. For some researchers selection is
defined as elevated usage of one or more habitats than expected based on their
availability while other associate selection as an active and adaptive choice for an
individual based on certain resource cues that invariably inform the individual about the
fitness cost and benefits associated with movement from one range to another (Morris,
2016).

Thus the response to the indicators of primary limiting variables directs the optimal
strategy for habitat selection (Heatwole, 1977; Morse et al., 1980). According to Piper
(2011) a suitable habitat that is ideally selected by a particular species helps it to locate a
small space within, which may serve as their territory (a defended area) or home range
(area which in not defended). The orientation of an entire population is decided by the
interaction to the animate and the inanimate objects present in that particular
environment and hence their selection of space vary in regard to the presence or
absence of this objects (Brown & Orians, 1970, Hodder et al.,1998).

The main reason behind habitat expansion was pointed out by first by Svärdson, (1949)
where he stated the intraspecific competition was the major cause for the species to
extend their habitat while interspecific expansion reduced the range of the habitat but
relationship between coexistence of species and microhabitat separation is associated
with the availability of habitat in density-dependent population regulation (MacArthur,
1958) . Although till now, most of the studies have focused on the evolutionary
perspective of density dependent habitat selection, little has been known about the
major cause that leads to certain preferences within the habitat.

An organism’s selection of habitat have evolved due to the response towards certain
environmental stimuli such as the non-uniform distribution of biotic and abiotic
components like temperature, vegetation, availability of food and other energetic
resources. The example that can be sighted to support this case is that reindeers choose
different feeding ground in their alpine and subarctic environment depending on the
season (Mårell & Edenius, 2006) . Craig & Crowder, (2002 ); Pringle, Webb,
& Shine, (2003 ) showed that organisms vary in their responses to their biotic and
abiotic environment and this variation is most likely to influence the dynamic range of
habitat selection in heterogeneous environment which can augment to their fitness and
survivability. Distribution of limited resources and other key advantages may also vary
within a habitat resulting in creation of different microhabitats.

Thus mere presence or absence of a resource plays the pivotal role in distribution of a
population. The physiology of ectotherms strongly affected by the habitat and
microhabitat use, therefore lizards mostly selects the habitat and microhabitat that help
them to maintain their required body temperature and facilitates thermoregulation
(Smith and Ballinger, 2001). The habitat selection even within taxa varies amongst
species belonging to same family. The example has been seen in three species of Anolis
lizard (Family: Agamideae), where Anolis pulchellus (found in Puerto Rico) and A.

Auratus (found in Panama) are typical graa and vine inhabiting anoles, whereas adult
male Anolis cristatellus (Puerto Rico) larger anole generally characterized as a trunk-
ground species. Although small females and juveniles of A.cristatellus found perching in
small bush and grass. So for habitat preference the effect of surrounding environment,
animal own age, morphology and sex plays significant role (Kiester et al., 1975). As
previous studies related to microhabitat use have been done on Psammophilus dorsalis
showed a clear sex difference between use of microhabitat (Radder et al., 2005) and
effects its activity patterns.

And there are various studies which shows the difference in microhabitat selection
within same genus. So the reptiles exploit available microhabitats according to their
needs for thermoregulation (Scheibe 1987, Paulissen 1988), foraging (Henderson 1974;
Paulis sen, 1987), reproduction (Reinert and Zapalorti 1988),predator avoidance (Stamps
1983) and intraspecific and interspecific interactions (Schall 1974,Bradshaw 1971). A
habitat is composed of a variety of microhabitat identified by different biological and
physiological characteristics.

A various abiotic and biotic factors can create beneficial or disadvantageous

microhabitat that influences the distribution and abundance of organisms. These factors
include: substrate chemistry and type ( Malavasi et al., 2007), temperature (Grinnell
1917), precipitation (Martin 2001), predation risk (Blamires et al., 2007), frequency of
disturbances, shading (Harrison and Hildrew 2001), mate selection (Gentry 2003),
potential competition (Dudley et al., 1990), food availability, access to resources,
available hiding spots and flow regimes. An interesting perching behavioral pattern
often encountered among several members of agamid and iguanid (Radder et al., 2006).

The careful microhabitat selection of rocky habitats will minimize basking time,
maximize heating rate and increase time available for other activities such as mating or
foraging (Waldschmidt 1980, Carrascal et al., 1992). Adult Sceloporus jarrovii are
dependent on the number of rocks present as well as the rock cervices which
presumably provide predator refuges (Ruby 1986). Microhabitat structure also
influenced the escape behavior, in more open microhabitats flight distances are greater
than in more vegetated microhabitats (Martin and Lopez 1995a,b).

Lizards in different microhabitat may experience different type of situations and

microenvironment which influences their biological activities. It is quite apparent from
the studies reviewed above that habitat and microhabitat use has the potential to be of
great importance for individual lizards, populations of lizards, and communities of
lizards (Smith and Ballinger 2001). At the individual level, the thermal properties of an
environment have a major influence on performance, and in many cases, may be the
most important factor in determining the consequences of using a particular
microhabitat.

It is essential to study the microhabitat selection influence on species of lizards to

examine the effects of human alteration of habitat on them (Hawlena et al., 2010) 4.
MATERIALS AND METHOD 4.1 STUDY AREA The study was conducted at Hasdeo-Arand
coalfield located in north Korba, south Surguja, and Surajpur districts of northern
Chhattisgarh, India (Figure 1). The study area lies within 22°24’ to 22°57’ E latitudes and
82°25’ to 82°58’ N longitudes where wild population of Psammophilus blanfordanus is
quite abundant. The Hasdeo- Arand coalfield altitude range from 600 to 1000 m above
mean sea level.

It has one of the largest intact forest areas in Central India outside of the protected area
system (FSI report 2011). The region is extensively rich in biodiversity, reporting the
presence of several endangered animals. The major forest type in the region is mixed
deciduous forest and Sal forest covered very densely or moderately dense. CLIMATE
Chhattisgarh is situated in the tropical interior belt of India. As per koppen’s climate
classification most part of Chhattisgarh comes under the rainy tropical climate with dry
winter. In summer months, daily maximum temperature varies from 43.0°C to 38.3°C and
in winter months the daily maximum temperature range from 28.4°C to 16.1°C. This
region receives its rainfall mainly from the southwest monsoon. The mean annual rainfall
over the past 20 years was 1531.6mm.

Korba received maximum rainfall in the year of 1999-2000, which was 2091.0 mm. Some
climate report reveals that there is a decreasing trend of rainfall and rainy days in the
region. TOPOGRAPHY The Lower Gondowana and Upper Gondowana rocks belong to
the region. The study area has come under Chhuri-Udaipur hilly area and
Changbhakhar-Deogarh hilly area. The hills in the region contain granite rocks. The soil
is of red and yellow type which is good for paddy cultivation in the region. The rocks are
also interspersed in forest area but P.blanfordnus are mostly found living amongst
boulders and open granite rocks and scarcely found in vegetation.

FOREST VEGETATION Champion and Seth (1968) classify the forest into two categories-
(i)tropical moist deciduous forests and (ii) tropical dry deciduous forests in Chhattisgarh.
But according to the predominane of species botanically forest classified into 1. Sal 2.
Teak 3. Bamboo and 4. Mixed forest. The study area mainly consists of mixed deciduous
forest and Sal forest. Besides Sal ( Shorea robusta ), Teak (Tectona grandis),and
Bamboo(Bambusa Vulgaris ) other important species also found in the region such as
Madhuca longifolia, Butea monosperma, Diospyros melanoxylon and other. The Korba
and Surguja district has 58.10% and 47.37% forest coverage respectively. The diverse
variety of medicinal plants and herbs rare species are found in this region such as
critically endangered ‘Sarp Gandha’.

FAUNA The region has extensive presence of wildlife species such as leopard (Panthea
pardus), Striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus ), Indian grey
wolf ( Canis lupus) as well as several prey species Chowsingha (Tetracerus quadricornis ),
Spotted Dear (Axis axis ), Sambhar Dear (Rusa unicolor) and other. Tiger and Elephant
present in the Forest Division and Panther presence is also seen from the wildlife census
for the years 2002 to 2005. Though there are no records of wildlife census from 2006-07
onwards. It is also part of a large elephant corridor stretching from supporting the
migration of wild elephant from Gumla district in Jharkand to Korba, Chhattisgarh.

In 2007, the large part of Hasdeo-Arand forest was proposed to identified as the Lemru
Elephant Reserve. The avifaunal and reptile biodiversity has noteworthy representation
in the region which provides the richness of invertebrate fauna in the forest. FIGURE 1:
Map of the Study Area FIGURE 2: Overview of the habitat 4.2 STUDY SPECIES The
Blanford’s rock agama Pssamophilus blanfordanus ( Stoliczka,1871) also called Indian
rock lizard and Peninsular dwarf rock agama , is found in rocky habitats Indian peninsula
(Kumar et.al.,2002), elevated hilly regions upto 1829 mt.

elevation (Daniel.,2002) and mainly along the eastern and western ghats (Smith 1935;
Sharma 1976; Sanyal and Dasgupta 1990; Vyas 2000 ; Ishwar 2001; Srinivasulu et.al 2006;
Venugopal 2010). It is common, social, diurnal, rock dwelling (rupicolous) agamid,
feeding primarily upon insects (Daniel 2002; Rader et al.,2005) rarely on other lizards
(Aruna et al.,1993; Sreekar at al.,2010). It has also been observed that the lizard has
arboreal habits and found on large tree trunks (Ranabijuli 2011). P.

blanfordanus is sexually dimorphic in both size and color where adult males are brown
or grayish with dark brown or black markings on the dorsum and has distinct scarlet red
and black color of the head and lateral sides of the body (Smith 1935). The females are
comparatively smaller with cryptic dull gray or olive brown coloration (Radder et al.,
2005) which camouflage well with their surroundings. It shows the social hierarchy by
“peck order” where the dominate male at the most elevated spot with maximum perch
height. The perch height occupied by male is higher than the female variation may be
possible in breeding season (Radder et al., 2005).

P.blanfordanus shows the different behavior in wild as territoriality (Pianka and Vitt
2003), mating behavior (Pianka and Vitt 2003), intraspecific behavior includes tactile
communication, visual signals and chemical signals (Pianka and vitt 2003) and
interspecific behavior involves feeding and undergoing predation. Study on this species
include population estimation in its natural habitats (Venugopal 2010) and other aspects
like embryonic development (Jee et al.,

2016) male reproductive organs like testis and epididymis (Singh et al., 2016). It
categorized as a Least Concerned due to its widespread occurrence. FIGURE 3: Male
Psammophilus blanfordanus FIGURE 4: Female Psammophilus blanfordanus 4.3
METHODOLOGY 4.3.1 DISTANCE SAMPLING To assess the detectability and density of
Psammophilus blanfordanus I preformed line transect distance sampling between 14
February 2020 and 18 March 2020 in two different habitat structures- Hilly area and
Forest with rocky patches in the study area. A total of twenty transects each 100 m in
length was walked during day time. Ten transects were laid in the hilly area (HA) ten in
the forest with rocky patches (FRP). Griffiths (1999) reported the home range for males
(mean = 1.96 ± 0.57 ha) and females (mean = 0.63 ± 0.12 ha) in Agamidae species
Chlamydosaurus kingii.

Using this interpretation, the transects route were straight and distance between
transects were more than 100 m to minimize the repeat sightings, and all portions of
each transect were at least 50 m away from habitat boundaries to avoid edge effects.
Starting and ending Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates were taken for each
transect. The ambient temperature and humidity was noted prior to survey. The
sampling was performed on clear sunny days which is appropriate weather conditions
for P.blanfordanus basking (ambient temperature > 20 °C, low cloud cover) between
0800 and 1300. During sampling, an observer walked the transect at a slow pace for one
hour, when P.blanfordanus detected the distance from the observer to Agamid was
recorded using a measuring tape, and sighting angle was recorded using a compass
(Figure 4).

Psammophilus blanfordanus chosen as target study species as it is relatively easy to

detect while basking and slight movement towards it made them response therefore, it
was easily sighted on rocks and trunks, branches in its habitat. Hence the three
assumptions of distance sampling i.e. 1) animals detected at their initial locations, 2) all
animals at zero distance from the transect line detected with certainty and 3) sightings
of animals are independent of each other (Buckland et al., 2001) met in this study.

DATA ANALYSES The line transects data were analyzed using DISTANCE 6.2 software
(Thomas et al., 2009). Three models: Uniform, Half normal, Hazard rate key functions are
used to find out the best model to account for detection probability. The hazard
rate/hermite model (key function/series expansion) was used to estimate the density on
the basis of the lowest Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC); chi-square statistics was used
to assess the ‘goodness of fit’ of each key function. I used the pooled observations to
estimate the detection function and corresponding effective strip width (ESW) for
dataset; it is an accepted practice for the analysis of distance sampling data for small
sample size (Marsden 1999, Alldredge et al. 2007)..

Post-stratification was used to find out the density of the species at different strata-
habitat and age-sex classes. FIGURE 5: Use of line- transect distance sampling for
animals Dots represent the individual animal Transect Line Perpendicular distance to
transect line TABLE 1 : The dataset of line transect distance sampling of Psammophilus
blanfordanus Serial No. Transect ID Transect length(m) Sex Perpendicular distance (m)
Habitat type 1 TRANSECT 1A 100 M 5.14 HA 2 TRANSECT 1A 100 J 7.32 HA 3 TRANSECT
1A 100 J 2.66 HA 4 TRANSECT 2A 100 F 12.56 HA 5 TRANSECT 3A 100 J 8.15 HA 6
TRANSECT 3A 100 F 14.77 HA 7 TRANSECT 3A 100 F 9.55 HA 8 TRANSECT 3A 100 J 7.43
HA 9 TRANSECT 4A 100 F 4.49 HA 10 TRANSECT 4A 100 J 13.59 HA 11 TRANSECT 4A
100 M 3.80 HA 12 TRANSECT 5A 100 J 2.09 HA 13 TRANSECT 6A 100 F 3.76 HA 14
TRANSECT 6A 100 J 7.00 HA 15 TRANSECT 6A 100 M 4.40 HA 16 TRANSECT 6A 100 F
16.68 HA 17 TRANSECT 7A 100 M 13.86 HA 18 TRANSECT 7A 100 J 8.03 HA 19
TRANSECT 7A 100 J 5.73 HA 20 TRANSECT 7A 100 F 5.78 HA 21 TRANSECT 7A 100 J 2.77
HA 22 TRANSECT 7A 100 F 13.29 HA 23 TRANSECT 8A 100 M 6.91 HA 24 TRANSECT 8A
100 M 3.87 HA 25 TRANSECT 8A 100 F 4.72 HA 26 TRANSECT 8A 100 J 10.40 HA 27
TRANSECT 8A 100 M 5.59 HA 28 TRANSECT 8A 100 F 10.40 HA 29 TRANSECT 8A 100 J
2.34 HA 30 TRANSECT 9A 100 J 10.05 HA 31 TRANSECT 9A 100 F 4.06 HA 32 TRANSECT
10A 100 F 2.10 HA 33 TRANSECT 10A 100 M 2.30 HA 34 TRANSECT 10A 100 J 3.10 HA
35 TRANSECT 10A 100 J 1.20 HA 36 TRANSECT 10A 100 M 2.30 HA 37 TRANSECT 1B
100 M 0.75 FRP 38 TRANSECT 2B 100 J 3.56 FRP 39 TRANSECT 2B 100 F 4.54 FRP 40
TRANSECT 3B 100 M 5.30 FRP 41 TRANSECT 3B 100 F 6.99 FRP 42 TRANSECT 3B 100 J
3.66 FRP 43 TRANSECT 4B 100 J 2.32 FRP 44 TRANSECT 4B 100 J 3.74 FRP 45 TRANSECT
4B 100 F 6.66 FRP 46 TRANSECT 5B 100 J 2.09 FRP 47 TRANSECT 5B 100 M 4.45 FRP 48
TRANSECT 5B 100 J 4.46 FRP 49 TRANSECT 6B 100 FRP 50 TRANSECT 7B 100 J 3.87 FRP
51 TRANSECT 7B 100 J 7.61 FRP 52 TRANSECT 7B 100 M 7.70 FRP 53 TRANSECT 7B 100
F 4.52 FRP 54 TRANSECT 8B 100 F 2.50 FRP 55 TRANSECT 8B 100 J 4.68 FRP 56
TRANSECT 8B 100 J 1.34 FRP 57 TRANSECT 9B 100 M 4.17 FRP 58 TRANSECT 10B 100
FRP F- Female; J- Juvenile; M- male HA- Hilly area; FRP- Forest with rocky patches 4.3.2

MICROHABITAT SELECTION Every individual observed was categorized as male, female

and juvenile. All individuals during the study were unambiguously assigned to these
categories. Microhabitat variables measured were substrate temperature (TEMP),
humidity (HUMD), perching height (PH), substrate height (SH), substrate breadth (SB),
canopy opening (CANO) and distance to nearest refugee (DNR). These variables were
recorded for all individuals sighted in habitat types, hilly area and forest area. Distance
to refugee is the distance cross the individual to hide themselves after disturbance.

Perching height, substrate height, substrate breadth and distance to refugee were
measured using a measuring tape (in meter). The substrate temperature and humidity
recorded using a Psychrometer. Since lizard activity starts from 0800 hours (Radder et
al., 2006a) onwards, so the sooner the rock gets appropriate heat the better it facilitates
thermoregulation of the lizards. So the data was recorded during the 0800 and 1300 in
appropriate weather conditions. DATA ANALYSES Statistical analysis was performed
using SPSS 16.0 (CHICAGO, IL).

The non parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used for microhabitat variables (TEMP,
HUMD, PH, SH, SB, CANO, DNR) by grouping variable of age-sex classes of individuals.
To assess the statistical significance of each microhabitat variable (at 95% confidence
interval, p<0.05) for the age-sex classes. The null hypothesis was the microhabitat
variables are same among grouping variable. After the Kruskal-Wallis test showed there
is a significant difference in variables among age-sex classes. As Kruskal-Wallis test was
significant, the Dunn’s test was performed as post analysis test.

The Dunn’s test conducted in order to determine the significant difference in variables
between male, female and juvenile class. The null hypothesis for Dunn’s test was the
distribution of microhabitat variables is the same for categories of age-sex classes, the
significance level was 0.05. TABLE 2 : Dataset of microhabitat selection in age-sex classes
of Psammophilus blanfordanus SERIA L NO. SUBSTRATE SUBSTRATE DIMENSIONS (m)
CANOPY OPENING DNR (m) AGE- SEX TEMP. (° C) HUMD. % PERCHIN G LENGT H
BREADT H 1 M 30.00 26.70 0.05 0.20 0.90 100.00 0.05 2 M 33.20 36.00 2.10 2.10 2.33
100.00 0.11 3 M 21.60 69.50 2.10 2.10 9.00 100.00 2.10 4 M 30.80 66.70 2.00 2.00 6.40
81.17 1.10 5 M 31.90 28.50 0.50 2.65 2.40 76.75 0.40 6 M 33.90 35.70 0.90 1.00 4.30
69.58 1.80 7 M 35.20 47.00 1.00 1.00 2.30 100.00 1.45 8 M 34.40 27.00 1.80 2.30 1.40
100.00 1.80 9 M 28.00 29.20 1.10 2.30 4.30 80.24 1.30 10 M 31.50 43.00 0.40 0.45 2.00
100.00 1.20 11 M 39.50 37.50 0.40 0.50 2.10 80.64 1.10 12 M 32.70 21.60 0.60 1.30 6.40
100.00 0.10 13 M 26.30 33.10 0.30 0.30 1.10 100.00 0.20 14 M 29.80 33.20 0.33 0.33 0.87
100.00 0.33 15 F 31.70 25.00 5.80 8.90 10.10 100.00 2.10 16 F 36.30 35.40 2.60 3.30 2.10
100.00 0.80 17 F 32.00 51.20 1.80 1.90 4.90 73.81 0.40 18 F 30.10 50.20 0.55 1.00 5.10
94.53 2.80 19 F 34.60 45.70 1.00 1.00 4.80 75.44 2.00 20 F 38.40 23.50 3.60 6.70 20.20
100.00 2.20 21 F 26.70 30.70 3.90 4.70 5.60 100.00 2.00 22 F 34.10 25.70 1.70 3.90 4.20
90.24 0.80 23 F 33.00 42.00 2.30 4.10 3.20 100.00 1.30 24 F 28.60 28.70 4.40 6.50 15.40
100.00 4.40 25 F 31.70 25.50 3.10 5.11 7.40 100.00 5.40 26 F 29.60 24.90 1.10 1.20 2.90
100.00 0.80 27 F 28.90 25.70 2.50 4.20 5.80 100.00 5.30 28 F 27.70 31.00 1.40 1.40 8.70
100.00 1.50 29 F 29.00 26.00 0.70 1.70 5.40 89.84 0.30 30 F 28.00 34.50 0.30 0.36 0.88
96.88 0.75 31 F 29.20 38.20 0.50 0.50 0.65 94.97 0.55 32 J 24.00 30.60 0.30 21.00 1.10
23.25 2.60 33 J 26.80 38.40 6.40 9.80 0.80 39.80 5.70 34 J 22.80 62.30 0.60 1.10 2.80
100.00 0.60 35 J 26.00 54.60 1.00 30.00 1.80 41.60 0.70 36 J 22.10 75.30 1.40 1.40 4.80
60.34 3.10 37 J 23.50 66.60 1.25 1.25 1.00 58.40 1.10 38 J 23.80 67.90 1.40 2.20 7.50
100.00 1.20 39 J 21.90 59.90 1.00 1.10 1.20 18.80 1.30 40 J 29.60 47.00 0.55 0.55 6.00
100.00 1.20 41 J 19.50 50.30 0.10 0.10 0.50 83.44 0.60 42 J 39.70 29.10 2.50 2.70 5.80
75.70 3.70 43 J 37.10 32.90 0.70 0.80 1.20 60.36 0.30 44 J 26.90 28.70 0.50 0.50 1.80
94.93 0.60 45 J 34.10 25.70 0.80 3.90 4.20 77.90 2.80 46 J 20.40 32.80 2.80 2.80 2.00
100.00 1.20 47 J 24.50 27.90 0.40 0.40 3.30 100.00 6.80 48 J 35.40 21.50 2.20 3.70 4.10
93.92 0.20 49 J 31.30 30.20 0.80 1.10 2.20 87.25 2.40 50 J 24.70 26.50 1.60 3.70 5.20
100.00 1.60 51 J 30.10 26.50 2.50 2.90 4.11 79.15 3.40 52 J 30.40 22.10 2.30 2.30 7.20
87.40 3.00 53 J 21.20 22.50 0.50 1.90 5.20 93.38 0.10 54 J 26.10 32.80 0.45 0.45 0.56
85.58 0.93 55 J 28.30 32.50 0.50 0.50 0.95 66.55 0.50 56 J 29.60 33.00 0.20 0.20 0.55
89.95 0.20 (M –Male; F-Female; J-Juvenile; DNR- Distance to Refugee) 5. RESULTS 5.1

POPULATION DENSITY The total number of detected individuals of Psammophilus

blanfordanus was 56 using distance sampling (TABLE 1). Out of 56 individuals, 14 males,
17 females and 25 juveniles were detected. The species was recorded in 18 of the 20
transects that were sampled in the study area. In the hilly area (HA) habitat 36
individuals were recorded and in other forest with rocky patches habitat 20 individuals
were sighted. 5.1.1 Overall estimate of population density and detection function of
P.blanfordanus The hazard /hermite model was selected as the most parsimonious
model that could fit the data. This model estimated 14.95 individuals ha?¹ (95% CI: 8.96
and 24.95) in the area surveyed and the percent coefficient of variation of density was
26.05 (Figure 6; Table 3; Table 4). TABLE 3: Bootstrap summary of density and
abundance of overall P.blanfordanus found in survey area Pooled Estimates Estimate
%CV df 95% Confidence Interval_ Lower Upper___ D 14.95 26.05 62.32 8.96 24.95 N
15.00 26.05 62.32 9.00 25.00 Bootstrap Summary Density and Abundance TABLE 4:
Summary of estimation result for hazard/hermite model used in line transects analysis of
Psammophilus blanfordanus in the survey area.

Pooled Estimates Estimate % CV df 95% Confidence Interval Lower Upper

Hazard/hermite model m 2 LnL -146.40 AIC 296.81 AICc 297.04 BIC 300.86 Chi-sq (p)
Chi-p 0.89 f(0) 0.11 14.57 54 0.08 0.14 Detection probability p 0.56 14.57 54 0.42 0.75
Effective strip width ESW 9.36 14.57 54 7.00 12.52 FIGURE 6: Global Detection function
curve for Psammophilus blanfordanus 5.1.2 Variation in density in different habitat types
Estimation Summary Detection Probability There is a significant difference in estimated
population densities among hilly area and forest with rocky patches habitat.

Thirty-six individuals were observed in hilly area and estimated population density was
9.61 individuals per hectare (95% CI-5.07 and 18.21; SE-3.09) (Figure 7) with 32.13% of
coefficient variation. while in forest with rocky patches area twenty individuals detected
and population density was estimated to be 5.34 individuals per hectare (95% CI- 2.68
and 10.66; SE-1.86) with 34.78% of coefficient variation of density (Table 5). The
component percentage of variation in density were: encounter rate (79.4%) and
probability of detecting individuals in area survey (20.6%) for hilly area and encounter
rate (82.4%) and detection probability (17.6%) for forest with rocky patches area (Table
6). HAFRP 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Density of P.blanfordanus in different habitat
structure FIGURE 7: Box plot showing Density of P.blanfordanus in different habitat
structure TABLE 5: Bootstrap analysis for Hazard + hermite model of P.blanfordanus in
different habitat structures Estimate %CV df 95% Confidence interval Stratum: FRP
Hazard/Hermite D 5.3399 34.78 28.94 2.675 10.66 N 5 34.78 28.94 3 11 Stratum: HA
Hazard/Hermite D 9.6119 32.13 30.93 5.0718 18.216 N 10 32.13 30.93 5 18 TABLE 6:
Density estimation results for different habitat structures in survey area with Hazard
+Hermitemodel HA Model Hazard Rate key, k(y) = 1 – Exp (-(y/A(1))**-A(2)) Point
Standard Percent Coef.

95% Percent Parameter Estimate Error of Variation Confidence Interval D 9.6119 3.0882
32.13 5.0718 18.216 N 10.000 3.2129 32.13 5.0000 18.000 Density Estimation Results
Bootstrap Summary Density and Abundance Measurement Units Density:
Numbers/hectares ESW: meters Component Percentages of Variance (D) Detection
probability: 20.6 Encounter rate : 79.4 FRP Point Standard Percent Coef. 95% Percent
Parameter Estimate Error of Variation Confidence Interval__ D 5.3399 1.8574 34.78
2.6750 10.660 N 5.0000 1.7392 34.78 3.0000 11.000_ Measurement Units Density:
Numbers/hectares ESW: meters Component Percentages of Variance (D) Detection
probability: 17.6 Encounter rate : 82.4 5.1.3

Variation in density in age-sex classes Out of fifty six individual the twenty five juveniles,
seventeen females and fourteen males detected. The Hazard/hermite model estimated
densities for female 4.54 individuals ha?¹ (95% CI- 2.79 and 7.37; SE-1.11), for juveniles
6.67individuals per hectare (95% CI- 4.33 and 10.23; SE-1.46) and 3.74 individuals ha?¹
(95% CI- 2.08 and 6.71; SE- 1.10) for males (Table 7; Figure 8). In juvenile the component
percentage of variance of density in the encounter rate was 55.5% while in adult female
and male it was 64.3 % and 75.5 % respectively.

As the detection probability also attributed in total variance of density, the component
percentage of variance in probability of detection was 24.5% for males, 35.7% for
females and 44.55 % for juveniles (Table: 8). TABLE 7: Bootstrap analysis for Hazard +
hermite model of different sexes of P.blanfordanus Estimate %CV df 95% Confidence
interval Stratum: F Hazard/Hermite D 4.5389 24.41 43.37 2.7947 7.3719 N 5 24.41 43.37
3 7 Stratum: J Hazard/Hermite D 6.6749 21.84 52.47 4.3288 10.292 N 7 21.84 52.47 4 10
Stratum: M Hazard/Hermite D 3.738 29.43 33.79 2.0808 6.7149 N 4 29.43 33.79 2 7
MaleFemaleJuvenile 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Density of P.blanfordanus in different age-sex
classes Bootstrap Summary Density and Abundance FIGURE 8: Box plot showing Density
of P.blanfordanus in different sex class TABLE 8: Density estimation results for different
sex of P.blanfordanus with Hazard + hermite model.

Male Model Hazard Rate key, k(y) = 1 - Exp(-(y/A(1))**-A(2)) Point Standard Percent
Coef. 95% Percent Parameter Estimate Error of Variation Confidence Interval D 3.7380
1.1000 29.43 2.0808 6.7149 N 4.0000 1.1771 29.43 2.0000 7.0000 Measurement Units
Density: Numbers/hectares ESW: meters Component Percentages of Variance (D)
Detection probability : 24.5 Encounter rate : 75.5 Female Model Hazard Rate key, k(y) =
1 - Exp(-(y/A(1))**-A(2)) Point Standard Percent Coef. 95% Percent Parameter Estimate
Error of Variation Confidence Interval D 4.5389 1.1078 24.41 2.7947 7.3719 N 5.0000
1.2203 24.41 3.0000 7.0000 Measurement Units Density: Numbers/hectares ESW: meters
Component Percentages of Variance (D) Detection probability : 35.7 Encounter rate :
64.3

Density Estimation Results Juvenile Model Hazard Rate key, k(y) = 1 - Exp(-(y/A(1))**-
A(2)) Point Standard Percent Coef. 95% Percent Parameter Estimate Error of Variation
Confidence Interval____ D 6.6749 1.4578 21.84 4.3288 10.292 N 7.0000 1.5288 21.84
4.0000 10.000____ Measurement Units Density: Numbers/hectares ESW: meters
Component Percentages of Variance (D) Detection probability : 44.5 Encounter rate :
55.5 5.2 MICROHABITAT SELECTION 5.2.1 Microhabitat variables among age-sex classes
A Kruskal-Wallis test calculated the significance value of microhabitat variable such as
substrate temperature, humidity, perching height, substrate height, substrate breadth,
distance to refugee and canopy opening among age-sex classes. It showed that there
was statistically significant difference in substrate temperature ?²(2)=9.827, p=0.007,
perching height ?²(2)= 7.415, p=0.025, substrate breadth ?²(2)=6.824, p=0.033 and
canopy opening ?²(2)=10.128, p=0.006 among age-sex classes (95% confidence
interval). However other variables humidity (p= 1.66), substrate length (p=0.061) and
distance to refugee (p=0.130) did not show any significant patterns with age-sex classes
of lizards ( Table: 10).

TABLE 9 : Descriptive statistics among microhabitat variables MICROHABITAT VARIABLES

N Mean Std. Deviation 95% CI Percentiles Minimu m Maximum 25th 50th (Median) 75th
TEMPERATURE 56 29.43 4.90 19.50 39.70 26.15 29.60 32.93 HUMIDITY 56 37.08 13.99
21.50 75.30 26.55 32.80 45.03 PERCHING 56 1.49 1.36 0.05 6.40 0.50 1.00 2.18 LENGHT
56 3.06 4.91 0.10 30.00 0.61 1.80 3.60 BREADTH 56 4.09 3.64 0.50 20.20 1.25 3.25 5.55
CANOPY 56 86.10 19.71 18.80 100.00 78.21 94.73 100.00 DNR 55 1.66 1.56 0.05 6.80
0.55 1.20 2.20 TABLE 10 : Kruskal-Wallis test stastistics for age-sex classes grouping
variable.   TEMPERATUR E HUMIDIT Y PERCHING LENGH T BREADT H CANOP Y DNR
Chi- Square 9.827 1.714 7.415 5.590 6.824 10.128 4.075 df 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Asymp. Sig. .
007 .425 .025 .061 .033 .006 .130 5.2.2 Microhabitat variables between age-sex classes
The post hoc Dunn’s test showed the significant difference (p<0.05) in microhabitat
variables between age-sex classes of P.blanfordanus (Figure: 9).

The distribution of substrate temperature, perching height, substrate breadth, and

canopy opening are not same across the categories of age-sex classes while humidity,
substrate length, and distance to refugee retain the null hypothesis. The substrate
temperature (p=0.007) reject the null hypothesis and in pair wises comparisons of age-
sex classes the juvenile-female (p=0.034) and juvenile –male (p=0.023) has been
considered as significant (Table: 11). In the pair wises comparisons for perching height
(p=0.025) the male-female (p= 0.032) showed a significant difference (Table: 12 ;). The
substrate breadth (p = 0.033) distribution is not same across the age-sex classes and
showed that the juvenile- female (p=0.033) distribution is not same in pair wises
comparisons (Table: 13). The juvenile –female (p= 0.013) shows significant difference for
distribution of canopy (p=0.006) across the age-sex classes (Table: 14) FIGURE 9 : Box
plots showing Independent- samples Kruskal-Wallis test of microhabitat variables
between age-sex classes TABLE 11.

Pairwise Comparisons between age-sex classes for distribution of temperature TABLE 12.
Pairwise Comparisons between age-sex classes for distribution of perching height TABLE
13: Pairwise Comparisons between age-sex classes for distribution of substrate breadth
TABLE 14: Pairwise Comparisons between age-sex classes for distribution of canopy
opening 6. DISCUSSION 6.1 POPULATION DENSITY Density estimation and detection
probablity For estimating the population density of the Psammophilus blanfordanus in
Hasdeo- Arand coalfield study area, line transect distance sampling proved a reliable
method.

Although the sample size was only fifty-six lizards but after pooling the data, the overall
population abundance and density estimates of P.blanfordanus were fair precise
(26.05% CV for each). I believe that the assumption that all animals detected
independently were met cause most of lizards were basking when first observed and
when disturbed entered under the rocks or cervices silently with little or no effect on
other lizards along the transect line.

In study very less number of individuals detected at distance 0 to 2m so the assumption

of animal detectability on the transect line at zero distance is violated, due to the little
movement towards it make them response and visual barriers in a forest would be
responsible for their unavailability of detection. By examination of the histogram (Figure
1) of detection probability versus perpendicular distances represents that probability of
detection decreases as distance from the transect line increases it might be because of
the undetected movement away from the line transect due to presence of observer the
encounter rate increasing from the centerline and significant decrease in encounter
frequency near line transect (Burnham et al., 1980) therefore within 0 to 4m the
encounter frequency is more relatively.

Density variation in different habitat structures: Detectability is a crucial factor in density

estimation and it is influenced by the habitat structure, visibility and behavior of the
species (Reed 1995). The population density is higher in hilly area as compared to forest
with rocky patches area; I believe that this is due to fact that the rocky open habitat in
hilly area represents the habitable area for P.blanfordanus. It is known to prefer open,
rocky habitats (Kumar et al.,

2002), account best trade-off between thermal environment and the dissimilarity in the
habitat conditions where canopy cover relatively high, less availability of direct sunlight,
relatively high humidity could be the reason for low population density and detectability
in forest area. Alternatively, in some cases the habitat is not the factor that affects lizard
populations but rather changes in habitat due to anthropogenic activities that degraded
habitat quality (Jellinek et al., 2004). Though I did not study the habitat quality per se,
but degraded habitats (e.g. roads construction, habitat fragmentation) have greater
impact on habitat specialists (Bender et al.,
1998) and it is challenging to investigate degraded habitat effects on herpetofauna with
short term studies. Density among age-sex classes of P.blanfordanus: Detectability is not
a species trait. As it is influenced by many factors it is possible to obtain different
estimates of density and detectability for the same species across studies (Mazerolle et
al., 2007). I speculate that detection might be different in adults and juveniles and
between sexes, due to differences in coloration of individuals, size, peck behavior, daily
or seasonal variation in temperature detectability varies.

The density estimates seems to be positively related to sexes of P.blanfordanus because

adult males are more conspicuous than females due to larger size than females and
distinct scarlet red and black color of head while females has cryptic dull grey or brown
coloration, hence males could be easily spotted as the component percentage of
variance of density in detection probability in males 24.5% was low relative to females
35.7%.

The density of juveniles was more as compared to adults but the variance in encounter
rate was higher for juveniles it shows that the detection probability for adults was higher
as correlate to juveniles, the cryptic coloration, small size of juvenile and the pecking
order occur in agamas might be the reason behind it. 6.2 MICROHABITAT SELECTION
The results indicate that the proportions of individuals in different categories (i.e. males,
females and juveniles) of P.blanfordanus were significantly influenced by substrate
temperature, perching height, canopy opening and substrate breadth microhabitat
variables.

While for humidity, substrate length and distance to refugee did not influence the
proportions of males, females and juveniles found, suggesting that the species did not
show any segregation for these microhabitat variables. The substrate temperature is
crucial aspects in rock- dwelling P.blanfordanus for thermoregulation which influences
the physiological, behavioral and ecological features in ectotherms (Avery 1982.,
Seebacher and Franklin 2005). The male- juvenile and female- juvenile pairs shows a
significant difference in distribution of temperature, this age-related variation may be
correlated with the body size because a small body size is usually characterized by
higher thermo conductivity but weaker heat storage capacity (Tang et al.,2013; Xu and Ji
2006). It arises may be due to the juveniles who maintained lower activity body
temperatures and had lower selected temperature to reach the physiological needs
particular to their age.

But with a continuous increase in temperature has a adverse effect on reproductive

biology of reptiles, influencing the abundance and distribution of reptiles (Pough 2001,
Zug 1993) and causes a long term contraction in suitable habitat and therefore increases
the local extinction (Araujo et al., 2006). Perching behavior in lizards is related to sex,
body size and reproductive phases, Psammophilus blanfordanus revealed noticeable sex
specific spatial microhabitat segregation for perching height. The similar trend was
reported in case of Calotes rouxii (Bajru et al., 2016) and Psammophilus dorsalis (Radder
et al., 2005) where males occupied higher perches than females and randomly
distributed.

The probable reasons for maintaining higher position on perch were guard the territory
and attracting the females. As the males continuously performed activities such as
displaying for females, repel the rival males, patrolling the territory this is may be
possible reason behind the randomness. While in females perching close to substrata,
refuge sites and food sources, seems to be associated with escape from predators for
benefits and, in turn reproductive fitness ( Radder et al.,

2006) Alternatively, in post – breeding phase, males perched at lower heights and begin
perching higher during the recrudescence phase. Thus, it’s indicating that
P.blanfordanus sex and reproductive status determine the complex pattern of perching
behavior. The canopy opening is the mosaic of light gap, within many ecological and
biological activities takes place (Sanford et al., 1986), influences the microhabitat
conditions thereby determines the microclimate of the habitat (Chen et al., 1999, Hunter
1999). Thus canopy opening provide relatively warm microenvironment at the ground
level. In another related studies Vitt et al., (1998) and Greenberg et al.,( 2001) had shown
that occurrence of lizards increased with open habitat as they require sunlight to
perform thermoregulation and maintain body temperature. As canopy opening
enhanced the amount of effective solar radiation and thus temperature.

In this study I found that there was significant difference in female –juvenile pair which
did not show same distribution of canopy opening, it might be occur due to the
difference in perching height they prefer and the substrate temperature which
influences their physiological processes. As the juvenile basked at lower level than adults
near the cervices to do not expose to predator the canopy opening influences the
microenvironment and selection of microhabitat. The modified habitat due to
deforestation manipulate the microclimates results in change in abiotic conditions (Pike
2010) followed by reptile responses (Pike 2011).

The substrate structure could be critically important for many ecological activities which
affect the several aspects of structural environmental variation on locomotor
performance (Vanhooydonck et al., 2004). Whereas on broad substrate high sprint
speed can be attained without detrimentally affecting stability, on narrow substrate high
stability decreased on sprint performance which affects their acceleration capacity.
When attacked from predator lizards have less time to prepare themselves and needed
to attain stability with acceleration, it may be related to body mass of the species with
substrate breadth.

This reason might be behind the difference in distribution of substrate breadth across
juvenile and female. As it seems the acceleration or speed of individuals was not studied
but clearly more data required to elucidate this situation. Humidity, substrate length and
distance to nearest refugee showed no significant relationship with microhabitat
selection in this study. This might be an influence of several unknown parameters. The
longer period of study time could give an improved insight to this. 7. CONCLUSION This
study have indicated that line transect distance sampling served as an effective method
for quantifying population densities of the herpetofauna species.

The actual field sightings generated other valuable data simultaneously such as habitat
use, activity patterns, and environmental conditions therefore it might be considered as
a practical tool for herpetologists for census. The study elucidates the biological and
ecological factors that influenced the variation in P.blanfordanus density in different
habitat structures and age-sex classes and in microhabitat selection. This study also
represents a basic picture of the microhabitat variables influences the species and
concluded that juveniles of this species might be more affected when it comes to
selection of microhabitat.

However the detailed research on the microhabitat parameters, dispersal, feeding habits
and estimates of population of lizards required. Long term and repeated studies taking
into account all these above mentioned factors can give more specified insight to
microhabitat selection. Habitat disturbance (deforestation, fragmentation etc) affect on
lizard microhabitat selection and density could also become an interesting parameter to
be tested along with this study.

To my Knowledge this is one of the few studies that have applied distance sampling for
Agamid. Thus future studies calls for more elaborative work on this species and even
among other sister species like Psammophilus dorsalis, Salea sp., Calotes sp. etc to
devise the management and conservation plans. LIMITATIONS OF STUDY The findings
of the this study had seen in light of some limitations the first is low sample size, may be
the results were more accurate and can get more significant relationships from large
data.

The second limitation concerns the time constraint field work and limited previous
research studies on microhabitat selection of Psammophilus blanfordanus therefore it
need long term further study for better understanding of microhabitat use.

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