Seasonal Reptilian Diversity at Gautala Reserve Forest, Aurangabad (Maharashtra), India.

Abstract

Reptiles are playing a vital role in ecology. These reptiles show a diverse range of habitat adaptations. They are dispersed in extreme desert conditions as well as in low-temperature areas and they are broadly dispersed across the world. The occurrence of reptiles is a sign of rich biodiversity and ecology. To assess the distribution of the reptile species in a given area, a reptilian species survey was carried out in the Gautala Reserve Forest, where 15 different spots were selected during the rainy, winter, and summer seasons. A checklist was created for the period of 2017-2018. During the investigation, a total of 28 species of reptiles from 6 families were found. The transect method was used to sample direct and indirect evidence of reptilian species. This paper discusses seasonal variations in reptilian diversity and statistical analysis methods. The Boidae family has fewer species than various other families, compared to the huge number of species of the Colubridae family reported in the current study. According to the IUCN, Three species of reptiles, the Common Sand Boa (Gongylophis Conicus), India Rock Python (Python molurus molurus), and John's Sand Boa (Eryx johnii), are Near Threatened (NT- Decreasing), and one species of reptile, the Gunther's Racer (Coluber gracilis), is Data Deficient (DD-Unknown). The remaining 24 species of reptiles are considered Least Concerned. Baseline information on the resilience of these reptile species was collected for the current investigation. These details will be useful for future planning on the preservation of reptile diversity.