1887

Abstract

Abstract

In this pilot study, we show that a non-invasive technique, fecal analysis, can be used to positively identify diet contents in the spiny-tailed agamid lizard () in the wild. We examined U. fecal samples collected in the Kharrara region of Qatar and identified over 25 species of desert plants. In addition to the native flora, grains of barley () were identified in the samples suggesting that can benefit from livestock feed. We also found the remains of invertebrates, vertebrates and stones. The types of vertebrate remains found suggest scavenging behavior; the first evidence of scavenging for this species which has, to date, been considered a strict herbivore. Other studies on have pumped the stomach or killed the animal to retrieve dietary samples. We show that fecal analysis is a suitable technique for dietary examination in herbivorous lizards and, as it is non-invasive, complies easily with institutional review board requirements for ethical animal treatment.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.5339/qfarf.2010.EEP18
2010-12-13
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. A.A.T. Conkey, R. Richer, A. Castilla, J. Tribuna, R. Chan, Non-invasive method to examine the diet of the spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, in Qatar, QFARF Proceedings, 2010, EEP18.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.5339/qfarf.2010.EEP18
Loading
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error