Abstract Anthropogenic disturbances, particularly in deserts where resources and biodiversity are limited, may affect the delicate balance that enables an organism to exist in its environment. In this study, we investigated the impacts of human disturbance and the resulting changes in vegetation composition on activity, thermal biology, and body condition index of the Egyptian spiny-tailed burrowing lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia. Thirty-six adult U. aegyptia, were radio-tracked twice per week inside and outside protected habitats in the Kuwaiti desert. Vegetation composition, richness, abundance and density were surveyed in 115 plots randomly selected close to the active burrows and in the interspace areas. The high percentage of browsing on certain species such as Cyperus conglomeratus, Moltkiopsis ciliata, Rhanterium epapposum, and Convolvulus oxyphyllus may indicate that these species are characterized by high palatability and nutritional values for livestock and wild animals including dhubs. Dhub burrows were closer to each other inside the protected sites than outside of the protected sites. While habitat protection provided more vegetation and refuge to the dhubs and greater body mass at the beginning of the active season, it had little effect on seasonal changes in body mass and surface activity times of dhubs.

中文翻译：

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人为干扰和植被组成对 Uromastyx aegyptia 生态生理学和活动的影响 (Forskål, 1775)

摘要 人为干扰，特别是在资源和生物多样性有限的沙漠中，可能会影响使生物体能够在其环境中生存的微妙平衡。在这项研究中，我们调查了人类干扰和由此产生的植被组成变化对埃及刺尾穴居蜥蜴 Uromastyx aegyptia 的活动、热生物学和身体状况指数的影响。在科威特沙漠的受保护栖息地内外，每周对 36 只成年埃及人进行无线电跟踪两次。在活动洞穴附近和间隙区域随机选择的 115 个样地中调查了植被组成、丰富度、丰度和密度。某些物种的浏览率很高，例如 Cyperus conglomeratus、Moltkiopsis ciliata、Rhanterium epapposum、Convolvulus oxyphyllus 可能表明这些物种的特点是对家畜和野生动物（包括 dhub）具有高适口性和营养价值。Dhub 洞穴在受保护站点内部比在受保护站点外部更靠近彼此。虽然栖息地保护在活跃季节开始时为鳉提供了更多的植被和避难所以及更大的体重，但它对鳐的体重和表面活动时间的季节性变化几乎没有影响。