The Faunestic Study of Reptiles in Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge in Mazandaran Province
Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biologyشکورا السادات نبوی 1 , حاجی قلی کمی 2 , ویدا حجتی 3
1 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد دامغان، گروه زیستشناسی، دامغان، ایران
2 - دانشگاه گلستان، دانشکده علوم، گروه زیستشناسی، گرگان، ایران
3 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد دامغان، گروه زیستشناسی، دامغان، ایران
Keywords: Reptiles, fauna, Mazandaran Province, Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge,
Abstract :
Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge with 68800 hectares area is located in 12km north of Behshahr city, Mazandaran Province in east southern parts of Caspian Sea with altitude 15-28 m below sea level. The present study has been performed in the spring and summer of 2012 in order to faunestic study of reptiles in Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge. Specimens were collected manually, and then specimens and their habitats was photographed using digital camera. Specimens released after identification and recording morphometeric and meristic characters. In this study 11 species belonging to 8 families were identified including: Mauremys caspica, Emys orbicularis, Testudo horsfieldii, Pseudopus apodus, Cyrtopodion caspium, Lacerta strigata, Trapelus agilis,Elaphe dione,Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Platyceps najadum. All of the specimens except Testudo horsfieldii, have been reported previously from Mazandaran province. Among the specimens, just Testudo horsfieldii is known as a vulnerable specimen in Red List Categories of International Union for Conservation of Nature.
