University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 15 54 2023 05 22 Investigation of the Fauna of Lizards in the Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mazandaran Province, Iran بررسی فون سوسمارهای پناهگاه حیات وحش دودانگه در استان مازندران 107 120 27812 10.22108/tbj.2023.138326.1235 EN Foroogh Masoudian MSc, Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran Vida Hojati Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran 0000-0002-0408-389X Abdolhossein Shiravi Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran Journal Article 2023 07 08 With its special ecological zones and various habitats, Iran shows a considerable variety of reptiles, among which the largest variety is related to lizards. The purpose of this study is to investigate the lizard fauna of the Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mazandaran province. With an area of 15,673 hectares, DWR is located about 95 kilometers southeast of Sari, Mazandaran. Samples were collected and analyzed from April 2017 to the end of November 2017, and their metric and meristic traits were investigated. In this research, 54 lizard samples were collected. In total, seven lizard species from seven genera and five families, including Paralaudakia caucasia in the Agamidae, Anguis colchica, and Pseudopus apodus in the Anguidae, Tenuidactylus caspius in the Gekkonidae, Ablepharus pannonicus in the Sincidae, Darevskia caspica and Lacerta strigata in the Lacertidae family were identified. The Lacertidae had the most abundance among the families. Among the species, Darevskia caspica showed the highest frequency (24%) and Anguis colchica showed the lowest frequency (6%). Also, the images and key identification of species of the Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary were prepared. Considering the increasing development of human activities in the study area, the conservation value of lizards needs more attention. Introduction The country of Iran in Southwest Asia with its special ecological zones and various habitats has a considerable variety of reptiles, and among them, the most variety is related to lizards. Due to feeding on arthropods, lizards play an important role in controlling the population of these organisms and are considered biological controllers of plant pests. Despite the relatively extensive studies that have been conducted on the fauna of Iranian lizards, due to the vastness of desert and semi-desert areas and mountainous or forest-protected areas, the fauna of many areas has not been studied in detail. The Dodange Wildlife Sanctuary is a mountainous region with a moderate semi-humid climate and an area of 15,673 hectares, which is located about 95 kilometers southeast of Sari, Mazandaran. The purpose of this study is to investigate the fauna of the lizards of the Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mazandaran province. Materials and Methods Samples were collected from April 2016 to late November 2016 from early morning to late night (usually from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM) at different stations. The samples were collected by hand during field visits. The samples were identified using valid identification keys. Samples were photographed in nature. Metric characters, including body length and tail length, were measured using a digital caliper (accuracy 0.01). Meristic characteristics including the number of scales around the middle of the body, dorsal scales in a longitudinal row, gular scales, dorsal scales, subcaudal scales, scales under the fourth finger, and femoral pores were investigated. All samples were released after the completion of the investigation. Descriptive statistics, SPSS 17, and Excel 2016 software were used for the statistical analysis of data. Research Findings In this research, 54 lizard samples were collected. In total, seven species of lizards from seven genera and five families including the Caucasian agama (Paralaudakia caucasia) from the Agamidae family, the eastern slowworm (Anguis colchica) and the European glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus) from the Anguidae family, Caspian bent-toed gecko (Tenuidactylus caspius) from Gekkonidae family, Asian snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus pannonicus) from Sincidae family, Caspian sea rock lizard Darevskia caspica and Caspian green lizard (Lacerta strigata) from Lacertidae family were identified. The Lacertidae family was the most abundant among the families. Among the species, Darevskia caspica showed the highest frequency (24%) and Anguis colchica showed the lowest frequency (6%). Also, images and identification keys of the species of the Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary were prepared. Discussion of Results and Conclusions During this study, no new species or records of lizards were reported, and no significant changes were observed in the biometric traits compared to the existing identification keys and species from other regions of Iran. Considering the size of the area and the lack of expert staff to collect samples, there is certainly a possibility of finding other species in the area that require more facilities. The Dodangeh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few remaining natural and pristine wildlife habitats and shelters in Mazandaran province, and the most important threats to it are overgrazing, cutting down trees in the area, and illegal hunting. The conservation value of most of the lizards in the study area is unknown, and due to the increasing development of human activities in the study area, the conservation value of lizards needs more attention. Acknowledgment The authors of the study thank the Environmental Protection Organization of Mazandaran province, as well as Reza Babaei Savasari and Afshin Faghiri for their help in collecting the samples and the honorable professors Dr. Haji Gholi Kami and Dr. Faraham Ahmadzadeh for confirming the samples.

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