Preliminary Survey of Amphibians and Reptiles of Rajkot City and Vicinity Areas, Gujarat

A preliminary survey of amphibians and reptiles were carried out during August to December 2015 from Rajkot City and vicinity areas, Gujarat. This study reports systematics, species composition, conservation status, occurrence and distribution, diversity indices and Photographic documentation. Sampling methodology includes field survey by Visual encounter survey (VES) method, using Line transects (N= 21) and various sizes plotting (N= 32) at random, 2 or 3 days per week, spent 09 hrs per day and night. Entire survey accomplished within total sampling units N=53 under 25 visits, explored all the possible macro and microhabitat from rural to urban gradients. Identification based through morphological details on photographs, close examination and vocalization for anurans during field survey and various literatures. A total of 545 individuals record total 18 species of amphibians belong to 06 genera and 03 families, while reptiles record total 19 species, 15 genera and 08 families. Conservation status shown one endangered species Nilgiri Frog (Fejervarya nilagirica), a single data deficient Short-webbed Frog (Fejervarya brevipalmata) and 13 species from Least Concern (IUCN red list), 02 species were Schedule category IV (WPA, 1972) and a single one species of Appendix II (CITES) from amphibians, while status of reptiles reveal 04 species Least Concern, 02 species Schedule category I, 02 species Schedule category II, single one species of Appendix I i. e. Common Indian Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), 02 species of Appendix II and 01 species from Appendix III i. e. Checkerd Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator). Frequency based status of amphibian species reveal 04 abundant, 02 common, 07 uncommon and 05 were seen rare, while reptilian species were 01 abundant, 01 common, 09 uncommon and 08 species rare. The species Density (n/N) and dominance (D) were higher in amphibians (n/N = 7.26, D = 0.417) than reptiles (n/N = 3.01, D=0.126). Simpson diversity (1/D and 1-D), Shannon-wiener (H), Evenness-J and Margalefs species richness (d) were significant in reptiles (1/D= 7.968 and 1-D = 0.8745, H=2.367, J= 0.5615 and d=3.547) than amphibians. This is the first records of such studies in these areas suggests that such high diversity in reptiles and dominancy of amphibian population provide more suitability and acclimatization in urban ecosystem.