health assessment of a spiny-tailed lizard (uromastyx spp.) population in abu dhabi, united arab...
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Health Assessment of a Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Uromastyx spp.)Population in Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesAuthor(s): Jesus L. Naldo, D.V.M., Nelson L. Libanan, D.V.M., and Jaime H.Samour, M.V.Z., Ph.D., Dipl. E.C.A.M.S.Source: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 40(3):445-452. 2009.Published By: American Association of Zoo VeterinariansDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2008-0085.1URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1638/2008-0085.1
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HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF A SPINY-TAILED LIZARD
(UROMASTYX SPP.) POPULATION IN ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Jesus L. Naldo, D.V.M., Nelson L. Libanan, D.V.M., and Jaime H. Samour, M.V.Z., Ph.D., Dipl.
E.C.A.M.S.
Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the health status of the free-living spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx
spp.) population at Wrsan, Al Ajban, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A total of 90 spiny-tailed lizards, 61
males and 29 females, were examined from June to August 2006. Mean body weights were 1,564.4 g and 809.4 g for
males and females, respectively. Mean body lengths were 62.1 cm and 49.4 cm for males and females, respectively.
Fourteen lizards were found with abnormalities including abscesses, bite wounds, and deformed or missing tail
ends, digits, or claws. Radiographic examination revealed osteomyelitis, arthritis, and healed fractures. Reference
hematology and chemistry values were obtained from the 76 clinically normal lizards. Hemoparasitemia included
possible new species of Karyolysus and Hepatozoon. The most common oropharyngeal organisms isolated were
Escherichia coli, Providencia spp., and nonhemolytic Staphylococcus; and the most common cloacal organisms were
E. coli, Proteus spp., Providencia spp., and nonhemolytic Staphylococcus. Ascarids were the only endoparasites
found. This is the first biomedical data published for the spiny-tailed lizard.
Key words: Health assessment, spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx spp., United Arab Emirates.
INTRODUCTION
There are more than 15 species of spiny-tailed
lizards (Uromastyx spp.) distributed from North
Africa to India. Two species are present in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely, the
Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia
microlepis) and Leptien’s spiny-tailed lizard
(Uromastyx leptieni) (Fig. 1). Leptien’s spiny-
tailed lizard was recognized as a separate species
in 2000.11 Due to their physical similarities, no
distinction was made between the two species in
this study.
Spiny-tailed lizards, called ‘‘dhub’’ in Arabic,
are large ground-dwelling herbivorous lizards
found on gravel terrain and interdune compact
soils throughout the UAE.2,5,6 They grow up to
70-cm long and usually live in loose colonies.
Juveniles are typically gray with dark spots, while
adults are most commonly gray. However, adults
can also be red, orange, green, and yellow. Being
cold-blooded animals, they need to lie in the sun
before they can function effectively. When cold,
their color is slate grey; as they warm, various
creamy colors develop until they are completely
warm and bright mustard-yellow. Foxes, black
desert cobra, and birds of prey found in the
Arabian desert regions, such as the golden eagle
and long-legged buzzard, can capture and eat
dhub lizards.4,7
The number of spiny-tailed lizards in the UAE
is believed to be under threat because of the
development of many areas in which they live.
This species is protected by Federal Decree No. 9
issued in 1983, and trade is banned under the
Convention on International Trade in Endan-
gered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).10
There is scant information available on the
health status of this species in the wild. Because
of this lack of information, a study was
conducted to determine the health status of the
spiny-tailed lizard population in Wrsan, Al
Ajban, Abu Dhabi (UAE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Wrsan (N24u36932.44, E54u4897.09) is a pri-
vately owned wildlife reserve measuring 8- km
long and 3.5-km wide, located approximately
70 km northeast of Abu Dhabi City in UAE. A
total of 90 spiny-tailed lizards, 61 males and 29
females, were captured from June to August 2006.
The lizards were caught manually after 0800
hours when they came out from their burrows to
bask and were transported to the veterinary clinic
using commercially available pet carriers. The
lizards were allowed to rest for a minimum of 1 hr
prior to anesthesia with isoflurane (Attane,
Minrad, Inc., New York, New York, USA) and
oxygen via face mask. While under anesthesia, a
physical examination was conducted. Sex was
determined by manual eversion of the hemipenis
From the Wrsan, Wildlife Division P.O. Box 77338,
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Correspondence
should be directed to Dr. Naldo ( jessnaldo@yahoo.
com).
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 40(3): 445–452, 2009
Copyright 2009 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
445
and observation of gender-specific morphology.
Male spiny-tailed lizards, in general, have more
robust bodies and head and highly developed
femoral pores compared with females. Body
weight and length from snout to tail tip were
obtained on each animal. Dorsoventral and
lateral survey radiographs of each lizard were
obtained. Age was determined via radiographic
evaluation of long bone ossification.
An average volume of 2 ml of blood was
obtained from the ventral coccygeal vein of each
lizard using 3-ml disposable syringes and 23-
gauge 3 1-inch disposable needles (Fig. 2) using
previously published venipuncture techniques for
Sauria.9 After collection, 0.5 ml of blood was
immediately mixed with the anticoagulant ethyl-
ene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA, 1.5 mg/ml
of blood), and 1.5 ml of blood was mixed with a
clot activator, in commercially available storage
tubes, for hematologic and serum chemistry
analysis, respectively. The blood samples were
processed in an in-house laboratory 1 to 3 hr
after collection. The techniques used to perform
blood counts and fibrinogen estimates were as
described by Samour.8 Blood smears were air
dried and stained using the modified Wright-
Giemsa staining procedure.8 Serum samples were
allowed to stand in slant position for 1.5 hr then
were centrifuged at 125 g for 15 min using a
benchtop centrifuge. A minimum volume of
0.6 ml of serum was collected, and the automated
UDICHEM-RASTA chemistry analyzer (Ana-
lyzer Medical System, Rome 56033, Italy) was
used to perform the chemistry analysis.
To assess microflora populations, cloacal and
oropharyngeal swabs were obtained from each
animal and processed the day of collection.
Samples were cultured into blood agar and
MacConkey agar for bacterial isolation. Identi-
fication of bacteria was carried out with the
BioMerieux API kits (BioMerieux, Inc., Durham
North Carolina 27712, USA). In addition, air-
dried smears were prepared from the oropharyn-
geal swabs and stained with Diff-Quick (Astral-
diagnostics, Inc., West Deptford, New Jersey
08066, USA) for cytologic examination.
Fecal samples when present in the pet carrier
were opportunistically collected and examined
for parasites using direct microscopy and flota-
tion technique. All lizards were photographed
and marked with identification numbers on the
dorsum using a permanent marker. Late in the
Figure 1. Spiny-tailed lizard or ‘‘dhub’’ lizard basking under the sun.
446 JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
afternoon on the day of capture, they were
released near the capture site. Some lizards were
seen 2 mo later with the identification numbers
clearly visible.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Body weight and length
The body weights and lengths of the spiny-
tailed lizards are presented in Table 1.
Clinical examination
Clinical examination revealed 14 of 90 (15.6%)
spiny-tailed lizards were clinically abnormal.
Figure 2. Blood collection from the ventral tail vein for hematology and chemistry analysis.
Table 1. Body weights and lengths of spiny-tailed lizards.
Sex No. of lizards
Weights Lengths
Mean 6 SEMa (Minimum–Maximum) Mean 6 SEMa (Minimum–Maximum)
Male 61 1564.4 6 46.1 (328–2,146) 62.1 6 0.7 (36.2–71)
Female 29 809.4 6 35.1 (418–1,082) 49.4 6 0.7 (39.7–54.8)
a SEM, standard error of mean.
Table 2. Clinical findings in 14 Spiny-tailed lizards.
Findings No. of lizards
Emaciation 2
Abscess 5
Fresh bite wounds 5
Deformed or missing tail tips 5
Deformed or missing digits 4
Deformed or missing claws 8
Deformed upper jaw 1
Ankylosed joints 1
NALDO ET AL.—HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF THE SPINY-TAILED LIZARD (UROMASTYX SPP.) 447
Figure 3. Radiograph of an emaciated Spiny-tailed lizard. There is arthritis of the left femorotibial joint and
periostitis and fracture of the proximal right femur. Note the short length of the right femur. Physical examination
revealed ankylosis of the left femorotibial joint and right coxofemoral joint.
448 JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
Figure 4. Radiograph of a Spiny-tailed lizard with an abscess of the right forelimb probably as a result of an
injury sustained during a fight. There is severe osteomyelitis of the right humerus. Organisms isolated from the
abscess included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Staphylococcus spp.
NALDO ET AL.—HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF THE SPINY-TAILED LIZARD (UROMASTYX SPP.) 449
Abnormalities observed in 10 male and 4 female
lizards are presented in Table 2. The injuries
sustained by the spiny-tailed lizards probably
occurred during mating; from interterritorial
fights; or from predators such as foxes, which
abound in the study area.
Radiographic examination
Radiographic examination revealed 18 of 90
(20%) spiny-tailed lizards were sub-adults as
evidenced by the incomplete ossification of long
bones. Abnormalities observed in the radio-
graphs included osteomyelitis and arthritis in
eight lizards and healed fractures in five animals
(Figs. 3 and 4).
Blood analysis
The hematology and blood chemistry values
obtained from 76 clinically normal free-living
spiny-tailed lizards are presented in Tables 3 and
4. These data may serve as normal reference
values. Hematology results from spiny-tailed
lizards with medical conditions are presented in
Table 5.
The clinically abnormal animals demonstrated
interesting hemopathologic values when com-
pared with the clinically normal animals. Lizard
No. 3 presented with extreme emaciation and
advanced dehydration probably associated with
the compound fracture of the humerus resulting
in a large abscess and osteolysis. In comparison
with the clinically normal lizards, this lizard
showed high red blood cell (RBC) (5.8 3 1012/L),
and low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (36.2
fl) probably associated with advanced dehydra-
tion. The white blood cell (WBC) was elevated
(18.0 3 109/L) with marked heterophilia (15.5 3
109/L), and thrombocytosis (18.18 3 109/L). The
fibrinogen (6.0 g/L) was also elevated. These
hemopathologic changes were probably associat-
Table 3. Hematology values of clinically normal Spiny-tailed lizards (n 5 76).
Parameters
Results (absolute count)
Results (%)Mean 6 SEMa (Minimum–Maximum)
RBC 3 1012/L 0.78 6 0.05 (0.33–4.1)
Hb g/dl 9.93 6 0.26 (3.3–17.4)
PCV% 29.70 6 0.74 (4.9–44.5)
MCV fl 415.47 6 9.34 (119.5–614)
MCH pg 133.65 6 3.46 (1.2–203.5)
MCHC g/dl 32.55 6 0.38 (22.2–41.3)
WBC 3 109/L 3.10 6 0.17 (1.0–8.1)
Heterophils 3 109/L 2.00 6 0.12 (0.59–5.36) 64.44 6 1.43 (35.0–81.0)
Lymphocytes 3 109/L 0.99 6 0.08 (0.27–4.05) 32.08 6 1.34 (17.0–60.0)
Monocytes 3 109/L 0.04 6 0.01 (0.0–0.5) 1.30 6 0.22 (0.0–14.0)
Eosinophils 3 109/L 0.04 6 0.01 (0.0–0.2) 1.32 6 0.19 (0.0–8.0)
Basophils 3 109/L 0.03 6 0.01 (0.0–0.33) 0.79 6 0.11 (0.0–4.0)
Thrombocytes 3 109/L 9.58 6 0.94 (2.9–22.9)
Fibrinogen g/L 1.80 6 0.13 (0.0–6.0)
a SEM, standard error of mean; RBC, red blood cell; Hb, hemoglobin; PCV, packed cell volume; MCV, mean corpuscular
volume; MCH, mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; WBC, white blood cell.
Table 4. Blood chemistry values of clinicallynormal spiny-tailed lizards (n 5 76).
Analysis
Results
Mean 6 SEMa (Minimum–Maximum)
Albumin (g/dl) 2.02 6 0.05 (1.2–3.1)
ALKP (U/L) 30.81 6 3.23 (5.9–139.3)
BUN (mg/dl) 0.56 6 0.08 (0.0–3.0)
Calcium (mg/dl) 9.88 6 0.18 (7.2–13.2)
Cholesterol (mg/dl) 160.66 6 7.21 (64.0–295.0)
Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.40 6 0.04 (0.1–3.0)
CK (U/L) 1778.36 6 234.75 (141.1–10016.0)
GGT (U/L) 0.79 6 0.12 (0.0–5.0)
GOT (U/L) 73.06 6 4.59 (28.5–172.0)
GPT (U/L) 11.0 6 0.78 (2.4–34.8)
Glucose (mg/dl) 200.35 6 6.04 (67.7–355.6)
LDH (U/L) 209.61 6 24.89 (22.0–899.0)
Magnesium
(mg/dl) 3.48 6 0.14 (2.1–10.2)
Total protein (g/dl) 4.03 6 0.11 (2.6–7.4)
Uric acid (mg/dl) 2.94 6 0.18 (0.3–7.3)
a SEM, standard error of mean; ALKP, alkaline phospha-
tase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; CK, creatine kinase; GGT,
gamma glutamyl transferase; GOT, glutamic-oxaloacetic; GPT,
glutamic pyruvic transaminase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase.
450 JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
ed with the presence of the large abscess around
the fracture site and related septicemia. Lizard
No. 55 presented with moderate emaciation and
moderate-to-severe osteomyelitis of the left knee
joint. This lizard showed low RBC (0.61 3 1012/
L), hemoglobin (Hb) (5.8 g/dl), packed cell
volume (PCV) (19%), mean corpuscular volume
(MCV) (311 fl), mean corpuscular hemoglobin
(MCH) (95 pg), and mean corpuscular hemoglo-
bin concentration (MCHC) (30.5 g/dl). In addi-
tion, the WBC was low (2.4 3 109/L) with mild
heteropenia (1.48 3 109/L), and lymphopenia
(0.88 3 109/L). The thrombocyte count was also
slightly low (6.36 3 109/L). Lizard No. 90
presented with mild arthritis of an elbow joint
only. Hemopathologic changes included moder-
ately high WBC (6.6 3 109/L) with mild
heterophilia (4.01 3 109/L), and mild lymphope-
Table 6. Bacteria isolated from the oropharynx and cloaca of spiny-tailed lizards.
Bacterial isolate No. of lizards with oropharyngeal isolates No. of lizards with cloacal isolates
Escherichia coli 11 65
Providencia spp. 14 11
Pseudomonas spp. 2 4
Proteus spp. 3 20
Nonhemolytic Staphylococcus 13 31
b-hemolytic Staphylococcus 2 0
Nonpathogenic Staphylococcus 4 3
Nonhemolytic Streptococcus 2 1
Corynebacterium spp. 2 2
Klebsiella spp. 1 9
Serratia spp. 1 2
Neisseria spp. 1 0
Leifsonia aquatica 1 0
Aerococcus viridans 1 0
Salmonella spp. 0 7
Streptococcus fecalis 0 2
Enterobacter spp. 0 3
Acinetobacter spp. 0 1
Hafnia spp. 0 2
Bacillus licheniformis 0 1
Table 5. Hematology values of three Spiny-tailed lizards with medical conditions.
Parametersa
Dhub lizard Dhub lizard Dhub lizard
No. 3b No. 55c No. 90d
RBC 3 1012/L 5.8 0.61 0.75
Hb g/dl 6.5 5.8 9.9
PCV% 21.0 19 30.0
MCV fl 36.2 311 400.0
MCH pg 11.2 95 132.0
MCHC g/dl 30.9 30.5 33.0
WBC 3 109/L 18.0 2.4 6.6
Heterophils 3 109/L 15.5 1.48 4.01
Lymphocytes 3 109/L 1.6 0.88 2.18
Monocytes 3 109/L 0.36 0.024 0.26
Eosinophils 3 109/L 0.18 0 0
Basophils 3 109/L 0.36 0 0.13
Fibrinogen g/L 6.0 5.0 2.5
Thrombocytes 3 109/L 18.18 6.36 No data
a RBC, red blood cell; Hb, hemoglobin; PCV, packed cell volume; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; MCH, mean corpuscular
hemoglobin; MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; WBC, white blood cell.b Clinical findings included emaciation, dehydration, abscess, compound fracture of humerus and osteolysis.c Clinical findings included emaciation and osteomyelitis of left knee joint.d Clinical findings included arthritis of elbow joint.
NALDO ET AL.—HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF THE SPINY-TAILED LIZARD (UROMASTYX SPP.) 451
nia (2.18 3 109/L) probably due to the arthritic
changes.
Hemoparasites
Fifty-nine (65.6%) of a total of 90 blood films
were found positive for hemoparasites. The
degree of parasitemia per 100 red blood cells
counted ranged from 0.1 to 10%. The parasites
were identified as possible new species of Hepa-
tozoon and Karyolysus (Peirce, pers. comm.).
Oropharyngeal and cloacal organisms
Of 90 spiny-tailed lizards examined, bacterial
isolates were identified from the oropharynx and
cloaca of 35 and 65 animals, respectively
(Table 6). The most common oropharyngeal
organisms isolated were E. coli, Providencia spp.
and nonhemolytic Staphylococcus. The most
common cloacal organisms isolated were E. coli,
Proteus spp., Providencia spp., and nonhemolytic
Staphylococcus.
E. coli, Proteus, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas
are common isolates from reptilian gut content
and cloacal swabs.3 Salmonella organisms have a
variable degree of pathogenicity for reptiles. They
are normal inhabitants of the reptile gastrointes-
tinal tract, hence their frequent appearance as
invading agents in lesions or in a gut over-
growth.1
Endoparasites
Four of seven (57%) opportunistically collect-
ed fecal samples examined for endoparasites had
low level infection with ascarids.
The overall population of spiny-tailed lizard in
this study appears to be healthy. To the
knowledge of the authors, this is the first set of
biomedical data published for the spiny-tailed
lizard. The results obtained, however, are from a
relatively small population of lizards in a small
geographic area of the natural range for the
species. Nevertheless, the data presented can be
used as a general guideline to assess health and
disease in specimens of this species. Similar
studies in other localities are recommended.
Biomedical studies on free-ranging animals pro-
vide valuable data for medical management in the
event captive-breeding programs become neces-
sary to ensure survival of the spiny-tailed lizard.
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to
thank His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan for his support to the clinical and
research program of the Division and all staff
of the Veterinary Science Department and Bird
Department for the technical assistance provided.
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Received for publication 21 May 2008
452 JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE