Caucasian Rapid Racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928): The State of the Population on the Sarykum Sand Massif
https://doi.org/10.26907/2542-064X.2023.3.499-508
Abstract
This article describes the status of the Caucasian rapid racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928) population on the Sarykum sand massif. Data collected on its sex-age structure in the first decade of May 2022 were analyzed. Morphometric diagrams based on body length measurements (mm) were built. The results obtained show that the population consists of immature specimens and mature males and females. Adult animals can be divided into two age groups, namely, lizards aged two years and three years or more. The core of the population is made up of immature and two-year-old males and females. Sexual dimorphism related to body length was reliably determined by the nonparametric Mann–Whitney test: males turned out to be larger than females. Although the population is generally stable, it is still negatively affected by the recreational load on the Sarykum territory and the sand overgrowth. These two factors lead to changes in the biotope inhabited by E. v. caucasica. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the population of E. v. caucasica on the Sarykum sand massif as this species is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Dagestan and other southern regions of Russia.
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Strategic Academic Leadership Program of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. We sincerely thank the students of the Institute of Environmental Engineering of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia who were willing to participate in the collection of field data: A.G. Saakyan, A.B. Polovina, and V.A. Levsha.
About the Authors
G. V. Polynova
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow, 117198
O. E. Polynova
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow, 117198
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For citations:
Polynova G.V., Polynova O.E. Caucasian Rapid Racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928): The State of the Population on the Sarykum Sand Massif. Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta Seriya Estestvennye Nauki. 2023;165(3):499-508. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26907/2542-064X.2023.3.499-508
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