Burrow characteristics and microhabitat use of the Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia , in northern Saudi ArabiaShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Zoology in the Middle East, ISSN 0939-7140, E-ISSN 2326-2680, Vol. 71, no 2, p. 143-151Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia (Forskål, 1775), inhabits the arid regions of the Middle East, where it relies heavily on self-dug burrows for thermoregulation and protection. This study investigates the burrow characteristics and microhabitat use of this species in the Ha’il region of northern Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from 369 active burrows over a five-year period (2013–2019), recording variables such as burrow entrance orientation, soil type, vegetation cover, and environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and light intensity. The results showed that burrow entrances were primarily oriented toward the north, northeast, and east, likely to reduce direct solar exposure. Burrows with north-facing entrances exhibited significantly cooler internal temperatures compared to those with south-facing entrances, while relative humidity was lower in north-facing burrows. The lizards showed a preference for burrows located in coarse sand and microhabitats with low to moderate vegetation cover. Given the ongoing rise in temperatures due to climate change, longterm monitoring of burrow characteristics, particularly entrance orientation, may provide valuable insights into how this species adapts to shifting environmental conditions.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2025. Vol. 71, no 2, p. 143-151
Keywords [en]
Ha’il region, harsh environments, burrow orientations, microhabitat preference, thermoregulation
National Category
Zoology Ecology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-57291DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2025.2500107ISI: 001497367300001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105007664236OAI: oai:DiVA.org:sh-57291DiVA, id: diva2:1961999
Note
This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Ha’il, SaudiArabia under grant number 150464
2025-05-282025-05-282025-10-07Bibliographically approved