Distribution and Environmental Suitability of the Smallscaled Rock Agama, Paralaudakia microlepis (Sauria: Agamidae) in the Iranian Plateau

Abstract

Predictive potential distribution modeling is of increasing importance in modern herpetological studies and determination of environmental and conservation priorities. In this article we provided results of analysis and forecasts of the potential distribution of smallscaled rock agama Paralaudakia microlepis (Blanford, 1874) using the distribution models through Maxent (www.cs.princeton.edu/ ~ schapire / maxent). We made an attempt for comparison of input of bioclimatic factors and characteristics of biotope distribution for three species of genus Paralaudakia. Constructed model identified dissemination of Paralaudakia microlepis enough performance (AUC = 0.972 with dispersion 0.003). According to the map constructed, the most suitable habitats of smallscaled rock agama Paralaudakia microlepis are located in southern and eastern Iran, the west of central Pakistan and southeastern Afghanistan.