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First evidence of scavenging behaviour in the herbivorous lizard Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis |
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| Authors: | A.M. Castilla R. Richer M. Al-Thani |
| Affiliation: | a Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Carretera de Sant Llorenç de Morunys km 2, 25280 Solsona, Lleida, Spain b Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain c Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar Foundation, Education City, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar d UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Département d’Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, 75231, Paris Cedex 5, France e Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, P.O. Box 24866, Doha, Qatar f Qatar University, English Department, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar g Qatar Natural History Group, Doha, Qatar |
| Abstract: | In this study, we provide the first evidence of scavenging behaviour in the spiny-tailed agamid lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis), a species which heretofore has been considered a strict desert herbivore. We examined 294 faecal samples collected in the desert of Qatar and found that 84% of the faeces (n = 247) contained exclusively plant material. Grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) were present, suggesting that Uromastyx can benefit from the food provided to livestock when wild plants are scarce. We also found remains of invertebrates, vertebrates and stones in the lizard faeces. The type of vertebrate remains found suggests scavenging behaviour and some flexibility in feeding behaviour where food resources are scarce. Overgrazing by camels and goats in the area may affect food availability for Uromastyx populations, suggesting the need for conservation measurements in the Qatar desert. |
| Keywords: | Conservation Desert Dhub Overgrazing Qatar |
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