Said-Aliev's Round-Headed Agama / Said-Aliev's Toad Agama / Said-Aliev’s Sunwatcher

Said-Aliev’s Toad Agama

Status: Vulnerable (category VUBlab(iii)). A narrowly distributed relic species, endemic to the foothills of the western part of the Fergana Valley [23, 7], whose numbers are declining. It is listed in the Red Books of Tajikistan (category 2) [12] and Uzbekistan (category EN 1ab(i-v)) [13].

Distribution general and in the country. The range includes the southwestern tip of the Kuramin Range, the northwestern foothills of the Turkestan Range, and the western part of the Fergana Valley [7, 12, 13, 23, 24]. In Kyrgyzstan, it has been recorded in the northern border area of the Batken region in the Beli-Synyk, Takhtoboz mountains, etc., from the Kozu-Baglan River eastward to the Shahimardan River [6, 19].

Habitat. In dense clayey and fine gravelly soils with sparse vegetation, in dried riverbeds with loess deposits, in clayey and saline semi-deserts with outcrops of variegated clays and calcareous chernozems, at altitudes of 500-1100 m above sea level [19].

Population. 30-40 years ago, it was common throughout its range; currently, it is found singly in several habitats [12, 13, 24]. In Kyrgyzstan, it is most common in the foothills of the Takhtoboz Range: 6-9 individuals were found per hour of searching along a transect 3 km long and 2 m wide [20]. South of Batken city, near the border with Tajikistan (Kyzyl-Bel area), similar counts in April showed half the density of the species [19], and it is even rarer in other locations [7, 19, 20, 23, 24].

Life style (life cycles). Insufficiently studied. Active from March to October, mating occurs in March-April. Females lay 1-2 clutches (of 2-10 eggs) from May to the end of June [20]. Young appear in June-July and become sexually mature after hibernation. They feed on small insects and arachnids [13, 19, 24], actively hunting from 10 AM to noon, during which they lose caution and do not notice observers [19]; they dig their own burrows for shelter and sometimes hibernate in pillbug burrows [19].

Limiting factors. Habitat development, intensive livestock grazing, sharp increase in dog populations [19]; the influence of natural predators and possible commercial capture [20] for keeping in terrariums have not been identified.

Breeding (keeping in captivity). The available data [18] likely refers to the Takyr Toad Agama. In Kyrgyzstan, they have not bred in captivity, are not demanding in terms of food, but are sensitive to temperature [19, 20].

Existing conservation measures. Currently, it is not protected in Kyrgyzstan; it is listed in the Red Books of Tajikistan [12] and Uzbekistan [13].

Recommended conservation measures. Regulation of habitat use as pastures and the application of insecticides, creation of micro-reserves in breeding and hibernation areas.

Said-Aliev’s Toad Agama (Said-Aliev’s Sunwatcher)
Phrynocephalus saidalievi Sattorov, 1981
Status: Vulnerable (category VUBlab(iii)), narrowly spread species endemic to the western part of the Fergana Valley (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan), with declining numbers. It occurs from March to October in clayey and metal semi-deserts with sparse vegetation in low mountains, at 550-1,100 m above sea level. They catch small insects and spiders; copulation is observed in May - June; females lay once or twice 2-10 eggs. Young individuals appear in June - July, and they are capable of reproduction after hibernation. It is a rare species; only in the piedmonts of the Takhtoboz Mountain Range are there registered 6-9 specimens per hour. The species is difficult to breed and has not been bred in Kyrgyzstan. Limiting factors include the development of virgin lands, excessive pasturage in the desert zone, and unordered collection by amateurs. At present, this species is not protected in Kyrgyzstan; it is included in the Red Book of adjacent Uzbekistan. The creation of special protected territories and awareness-building work for customs services and environmental protection specialists to prohibit illegal export are recommended for the conservation of the species.