Species Composition, Abundance, and Behavioral Patterns of Lizards in the Devanahalli Fort of the Bengaluru North City Region, Bengaluru, India

Abstract

Abstract Species composition and abundance of lizard populations was studied in the historical monuments such as the Devanahalli fort of the Bengaluru North City region, Bengaluru, India. The quadrants laid in the fort was surveyed for the estimation of the population density, abundance, sex ratio, frequency and distribution of the lizards in the Devanahalli fort. A total of nine species of lizards were recorded during the study, thus highlighting the significance of historical forts in acting as important urban habitats for reptiles. The reptilian fauna of the historical monuments such as forts, temples and archeological sites were found to be more distinct than the rest of the urban landscapes. In addition to this, notes on the morphometric analysis, behavioral patterns and natural history of recorded lizards was observed. Therefore, the abundance of the lizard populations in the historical fort’s call for its special concern for care because their archeological importance and will be of use for urban planning and conservation.