The Ecological Associations of Surface-Dwelling Lizards in Qom Province in the Northwest of Central Plateau of Iran

We used pitfall trapping to investigate the effects of elevation, plant density and soil structure on species diversity and the impact of these habitat factors on lizard habitat selectivity in the Qom Province in the Central Plateau of Iran. From a total of 12 1-ha plots, we captured 363 individuals of 15 species of lizards (six species of Lacertidae, five species of Agamidae, two species of Gekkonidae, one species of Varanidae and one species of Scincidae). A generalized linear model (GLM) determined that elevation was the most important factor impacting species diversity. The highest species diversity was at the intermediate elevation (1289 m). Abundance of 6 out of 15 species showed strong relationships with some habitat factors. These relationships were demonstrated by habitat selectivity index (Ivlev's index). Our result supports other surveys that showed that elevation plays an important role in determining lizard species diversity

The plots distribution in the Qom Province of Iran.

<p>The plot numbers correspond to those in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0083890#pone-0083890-t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>.</p

Pattern of lizard species diversity in relation to soil water absorption (S.W.A), overall plant density (percentage with star) and elevation in the Qom Province of Iran.

<p>Low soil water absorption (L.S.W.A) <24.1, medium soil water absorption (M.S.W.A) >24.1. Plant density and elevation categories are same as <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0083890#pone-0083890-g002" target="_blank">Figure 2</a>. </p

Pattern of lizard species diversity (Hill's N2 index) in relation to overall plant density (percentage with star) and elevation in the Qom Province of Iran.

<p>Low elevation <1100 m, medium elevation 1101-1800 and high elevation >1801 m.</p

Habitat variable ranks for six lizards species in the Qom Province of Iran that had significant relationships with habitat variables.

<p>The value of the selectivity index is shown and each variable is divided to five intervals.</p

Pattern of lizards species diversity (Hill's N2 index) and elevation in the Qom Province of Iran.

<p>Pattern of lizards species diversity (Hill's N2 index) and elevation in the Qom Province of Iran.</p