Sexual Dimorphism in Trapelus ruderatus ruderatus (Olivier, 1804) (Sauria: Agamidae) in Southern Iraq

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in 45 ( 27 males, 18 females ) specimens of Trapelus ruderatus ruderatus was studied in specimens collected from three localities: Bahr AL-Najaf, AL-Najaf Province; Albedhan village, Said dekheel county, Dhi-Qar Province and Khor AL-Zubair, AL-Basra Province, southern Iraq. Of 23 studied characters in males and females, statistical analysis using SPSS software version 20.00 showed significant differences in 11, out of 23, characters (male-biased): SVL, TL, HW, HH, DCC, RP, NP, CT, VL, AbnL and LHS. In comparison to females, males had different color pattern, much darker and more developed gular folds and darker ventral regions.

Keywords

• agamidae
• trapelus ruderatus ruderatus
• sexual dimorphism
• southern iraq