The agamid lizards in India are morphologically and ecologically diverse,
inhabiting varied range of altitudes and habitats. Currently, 48 agamid species
comprising of 17 Genera and including 20 endemic species have been reported from
India. High species diversity of Indian agamids corresponds to regions with evergreen
forests, particularly the Himalayas extending in the north-east portions of India (15
species), north eastern states (13 species) and the Western Ghats (14 species). About
one-third of the 48 species, are currently classified as critically endangered, endangered
and vulnerable according to IUCN, and the remaining species are at lower risk or
lacking information. Recent changes in distribution and taxonomy have resulted in more
number for species requiring assessments. The non-availability of conservation status
assessments for 18 species are a grim reminder that reiterate the need for new and
updated assessments. Currently, there is a scarcity of detailed information on the
ecology and natural history of most Indian agamid lizards. In this chapter, I emphasize
the need for ecological studies on individual species, which are imperative for species
conservation, while providing a comprehensive compilation of information on a few
rare, endemic and threatened agamid lizard species.
Keywords: Reptilia, Sauria, Agamidae, lizards, India, endemic, endangered, rare,
distribution, conservation, biogeographic zones, Pseudocalotes austeniana, abor
hills agama, Calotes aurantolabium, orange-lipped forest lizard, Otocryptis
beddomii, Indian kangaroo lizard, natural history, IUCN categories, taxonomy.