Investigating the correlation between reptile species diversity and topographic condition in North West of Isfahan

Abstract

The current study was conducted to identify reptile species in North West of Isfahan city and investigate the possible correlation between reptile species diversity and altitude from April to October 2010. Overall, 118 specimens belong to 11 species and 5 families of reptiles were identified. The correlation between altitude and species diversity was estimated using the indices of species diversity (Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and Hill indices) and evenness (Camargo, Simpson and Smith &Wilson indices). In addition, Rarefaction Method was used to equate the data and measure the species richness. The results of different indices showed that there was a significant negative correlation between altitude and species richness and species diversity. However, this correlation between altitude and lizard’s species evenness was positive. Among the species diversity indices, Shannon-Wiener (R2=0.792, r =-0.89) showed the highest correlation value and Simpson (R2=0.477, r =-0.691) the lowest value. Also among the species evenness indices, Camargo (R2=0.665, r =+0.815) had the highest and Simpson (R2=0.592, r =+0.769) the lowest correlation values.