INTRODUCTION

Common garden skinks have been reported from various

locations including Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Ajmer

Rajasthan is situated in north western part of India, between

Divisions (Gaur and Pandey, 2007; Sharma and Joshi, 2007;

the latitude 2303’ and 30012’ N and longitude 69030’ and 78017’

Sexena, 2007; Bhatnagar and Mahur 2008). No significant

E. The mean annual rainfall of study area is 573 mm and tem-

researches have done

on the Herpetofauna of south eastern

perature ranging in between 2 to 460 in the season.

Rajasthan specially in Bundi district. The present observation

The Aravalli range forms the chief topographical features in

is documented record of common garden skink Mabuya cari-

Rajasthan, which diagonally bisects the state into 3/5th west-

nata in Aravalli Foothills, district Bundi, Rajasthan.

ern arid region and the 2/5th Eastern semi arid zone with a

total area of 3,42,239 square kilometers, which is 10.4 % of

MATERIAL AND METHODS

the country. It has most diversified climatic conditions with a

specific characteristics.

Visual encounter surveys and regular field visits were done

Class Reptilia is primarily a terrestrial class of Phylum

during day, evenings

and nights from January to Decem-

Chordata, though some have acquired amphibious and aquatic

ber, 2013. The animals killed during road accidents and dead

mode of life. Lizards are generally terrestrial and has occupied

remains of them were

also observed and recorded. Survey

urban (buildings and gardens) and forest habitat. These have

areas included human habitats, forests, gardens and agricul-

been reported from various parts of India including Rajasthan

ture fields in the region. Species was identified using field

(Murry 1884, Mc Cann 1942a,b; Smith 1931,1935 and 1948).

guide of Daniel (2002).

BBRC

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

BBRC

dead bodies and accidental body remains. One specimen was

Gaur, S. and Pandey, V. K. (2007). Ecological notes on the herpetologi-

captured above under the leaf litter near Nainwa Village, in

cal fauna of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India. Cobra.

the district Bundi, Rajasthan, of about 8.0 cm (TBL), the speci-

1 (3): 4-7.

men was dark brownish with lateral yellow longitudinal lines

Mc ann,

. (1942 a). A ’Bushman’s’ holiday in the Abu hills. Journal

from head to tail; it may have been a juvenile. We did not

of the Bombay Natural History Society 43(2): 206-217.

kill the specimen, only measurements and photographs were

Mc ann,

. (1942 b). The rains come to the Abu hills. Journal of the

taken and thereafter the specimen was released immediately.

Bombay Natural History Society 43(4): 641-647.

The specimen was photo documented using a digital camera

Mirza, J.A., J.J. Ahmed, and S. Patil, (2010). Notes on the Distribution

(Cannon, DSC 50) both in natural habitat and then after catch-

and Natural History of Lined Supple Skink Lygosoma lineata (Gray,

ing it. It was identified using Daniel’s field guide.

1839) (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae). Reptile Rap Pp.5-6.

The species reported here has also been observed elsewhere

Murry, J. A. 1884: The vertebrate Zoology of Sind. A systematic

too (Gaur and Pandey, 2007; Sharma and Joshi, 2007; Sex-

account XVI + 424 pp., Illusts. London (Richurdson & Co.)

ena, 2007;

Bhatnagar and Mahur, 2008). Mirza et al., (2010)

Naik, Y.M. & K. . Vinod (1994). Record of a rare skink Lygosoma line-

described that the Lygosoma lineata is mostly found under

ata (Gray) from Kevadia, Gujarat. Journal of the Bombay Natural His-

rocks, under driftwood and among leaf litter with other sym-

tory Society 91: 324-325.

patric species like Calliophis melanurus, Eutropis carinata,

Saxena, M.M. (2007).Endangered arid life of the Indian Desert: Threats

Eutropis macularia and Ramphotyphlops braminus have been

a. Naik and

Vinod (1994) stated that though not a rare lizard

and Remedies. Natl. Cong. on Biodiversity and Conservation (10-11

Dec.) 36pp.

but its numbers are in decline owing to loss of habitat. Inter-

Sharma,

.C. and Joshi, C. (2007). Fauna Biodiversity of Shekhawati

estingly the present record gives a new range where the mixed

deciduous forests exist.

region, Natl. Cong. on Biodiversity and conservation (10-11 Dec.)

pp. 56.

Smith M. A. 1931 - Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma.

REFERENCES

Reptilia and Amphibia:1, Loricata, Testudines xxviii + 185 PP... , 2 Pls.

1 Map. - London (Taylor and Francis) .

Bhatnagar, C. and, Mahur, M. (2008). Reptilian fauna of aghdarrah

Smith M.A. 1935. Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma.

Nature Park, Udaipur Wildlife Division, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Reptilia and Amphibia:2 Sauria xiii + 440 PP 1 PL London (Taylor

Cobra. II (2): 17-20.

and Francis) .

Daniel, J. C. 2002. The book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bom-

Smith M.A. 1948. Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma.

bay Natural History Society / Oxford University Press, Mumbai, Delhi,

Reptilia and Amphibia, 3 Serpents, xii + 543 PP 1 maps - London

Calcutta and Chennai. Viii + 238 pp.

(Taylor and Francis).

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF COMMON GARDEN SKINK IN ARAVALLI FOOTHILLS OF BUNDI, RAJASTHAN

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