Sex-Age Population Structure of the Multicolored Lizard (Eremias arguta deserti, Lacertidae) in Semi-Deserts of Astrakhan Region

Abstract: Studies on the sex-age structure in a population of the multi-colored lizard (Eremias arguta deserti Gmelin 1788) was carried out at the level of the elementary intrapopulation group. The area of research was the sandy semi-deserts near the village Dosang, Astrakhan region. The definition of the groups was based on observations of the behavior, published information about the sex-age structure of the species confirmed by literature data on the autopsy of animals, and a statistical analysis. The data obtained show the presence of five sex-age groups in the spring population: immature individuals, half-adult males and females, and two-year-old mature males and females. In addition, according to their size, there were animals possibly older than two years, but they were singular. The September population of the multicolored lizard was likewise divided into five age groups: juveniles, half-adult individuals of both sexes, and a small number of one-year-old mature individuals of both sexes. The autumn intra-population group was not numerous, because by that time most of the adult animals had gone into hibernation. In spring, the group of semi-adult lizards was 7.2 times smaller than that of adults. In autumn, the number of juveniles was 2.1 times higher than in adults. In spring, the sex ratio among the adult animals was close to 1 : 1. Among semi-adults, females predominated numerically both in spring and autumn. © 2021, Pleiades Publishing, Inc