Faunal diversity of Ajmer Aravalis with special reference to Reptiles

Abstract

Reptiles are cold blooded vertebrates which breath by lungs throughout their existence and have the body covered by scales. The skull articulates with the vertebral column by a single median occipital condyle. This is the way reptiles can be distinguished by other vertebrates. Ajmer is located in the center of Rajasthan (INDIA) between 25 0 38 and 26 0 58 north Latitude and 73 0 54 and 75 0 22 east longitude covering a geographical area of about 8481sq km hemmed in all sides by Aravalli hills . About 7 miles from the city is Pushkar lake created by the touch of lord Brahma. The Dargah of khawaja Moinuddin chisti is holiest shrine next to Mecca in the world. Ajmer has hot dry summer and cold bracing winter. The winter extends from November to February and summer extends from March to June followed by rainy season till mid September. The temperature varies from 2 o c in winter and 49 0 c in summer. The normal annual rainfall is 527.3mm. The total population of the district is 2180526 persons. Around 5.56 % of total area available for land utilization is covered under forest. Ajmer is abode of certain flora and fauna that are particularly endemic to semi-arid and are specially adapted to survive in the dry waterless region of the state. Out of 19 orders of reptiles 4 survive today. Rhynchocephalia Single living species Tuatara , Sphellodoll pz 111 ctatlts, found only in Newzealand. .Testudines (Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins).Of these one species of Tortoise (Star Tortoise), Geochelone elegans is found in Ajmer. .Crocodylia (Gharial and Crocodole)..Squamata (Lizards and Snakes). Reptiles Lizards and Snakes are of immense ecological importance. Reptile diversity is highest in Deserts. But now these are declining at fast rate. 25 species of Reptiles are recorded from Ajmer out of which 16 species of Lizards and 8 species of snakes. Reptiles are specially adapted to survive dry waterless region of the state.