Introduction
The Uromastyx aegyptia is a species of lizard of the genus Uromastyx. It is considered one of the largest members of this genus. The Lizard has an average size of 76mm with a spiky tail and is commonly found throughout the Middle East and some parts of Egypt and Libya. It’s a herbivorous reptile and mainly feeds on fruits, vegetable leaves and flowers but occasionally eats insects at a younger age. Insects are considered a source of protein to them, but it has been observed that too much protein is harmful to their health.
They are said to have continuously become a rare species due to the developments that have been taking place in the regions. Another reason why they are continuously becoming extinct is that their flesh and tails are considered as a source of medicine hence more of them are killed. Also, most locals consider their flesh as a great source of protein and its skin is used to make leather.
Seasonal changes in the diet of the Uromastyx aegyptia, how we measure such an aspect, and the importance of the study
North Africa and the Middle East have a climate of arid and desert conditions, hence the lizard is commonly found in harsh environments such as deserts and arid regions, is herbivorous in nature and feed on the vegetation. The climate in North Africa is mainly arid and dry which they have adapted to. Their diet is composed of fruits, flowers and vegetables, hence they on what is available during the season. Since the soil in the harsh and arid regions is salty, this makes the vegetation to have a lot of salt elements in them.
Effect of motorized vehicle on the Uromastyx aegyptia in the desert
The motorized effect is a situation whereby developers have been frequently travelling through their environment. It can be measured through recording the number of vehicles that go through their environment. It destroys the reptile’s habitat by destroying the vegetation it feeds on and this is a major threat to its survival. Studying this is important since we are able to come up with laws to protect this species.
How concentration of organic molecules in blood and urine can be used to cope with stress of food and water
The Uromastyx aegyptia mainly feeds on the vegetation around its environment. If the vegetation consists of salty elements, the lizard excretes it through its nostril glands. A high concentration of organic molecules such as salt poses a threat of health problems on the reptile. This study is important for those who want to breed the reptile for business and as a pet. It helps them to know what to feed it on that would not affect its health.
Urinary urea/Creatinine ratios
These normally increase when the reptile consumes vegetation that has salty elements and also during low temperatures when it can’t effect proper excretion of salt through its nostril glands. It is important to study this as breeders are able to understand what vegetation to feed it on and what to avoid that would harm its health.
When in negative energy balance, why ruminants shift to fuel oxidative phosphorylation.
When in a negative energy balance, oxidative phosphorylation occurs in aerobic organisms. It is a process that occurs in the enzymes and is a metabolic process that releases energy through the process of oxidation of nutrients. This results in the reptile retaining a positive energy balance. Such an issue is important in studying its physiology because it helps in knowing how the reptile adapts to hormonal changes in the body to keep it active when experiencing a negative energy balance.
Do Uromastyx aegyptia reduce their thyroid hormones, how and why?
They normally reduce their thyroid hormones when growing.this is attributed to the fact that as they grow they change their diet from insects to vegetation.
Leptin production in the lizard, how it works, and why
Leptin production is usually high during periods of scarce vegetation and in cold seasons. When it experiences such conditions, it hibernates and the hormone is used in slowing down digestion so as to avoid starvation.
How Uromastyx Egyptian adjust their physiology to progressive food and water restriction
Uromastyx Egyptians feed mainly on vegetation that is available in their environment. Temperature is a key variable to the lizard’s physiology, hence when high temperatures are experienced, food and water become scarce. High humidity is considered as a health hazard to them, so when these lizards experience restriction of food and water, most will migrate to areas that have vegetation. If the conditions become extreme, Uromastyxs are forced to adjust their physiology by changing feeding habits. During harsh conditions, it is observed that they hibernate and reduce their activity so as to retain food in the belly. They get water from the digested plants and would not drink water even if given the opportunity of a pool of water.high humidity is greatly considered a health hazard to them.
Another adjustment is that their bodies become salt tolerant. This is because vegetation found in the arid areas is salty due to the soil and rocks. When salty vegetation is consumed, they lose excess salt through glands in the nostril and retain water for digestion and body metabolism. Experiments that can be used to test what they experience is when food becomes scarce, they hide in the rocks. The reptile needs to simulate in order to remain hydrated and maintain good health. Dehydration may lead to death and this is commonly experienced in dehydrated animals.
Alteration of the size of organs such as kidney, heart and liver
When they experience a shortage of water and food, the reptile always tends to have a negative balance of energy, the performance of the organs reduces as it is now trying to store the food in its belly for a longer period. This can be studied by subjecting the lizard to such conditions.
How oxygen requirements are regulated in Uromastyx aegyptia and how to perform the experiment
Oxygen requirements are normally regulated in the events such as starvation, in the burrows, in the rocks and during hibernation. This is important as it helps in slowing down digestion adaptation to low oxygen environments thus increasing its survival. An experiment can be tested with the breeders to prove this.
How temperature reduction and activity reduce water loss in the lizard and its benefits
Extreme temperatures in the desert and arid regions can be quite harmful to the Uromastyx aegyptia, as it means that they are losing a lot of water through perspiration. When such conditions occur, they tend to hide in their burrows. On the other hand when temperatures reduce the effect of water loss is reduced. Since they mainly digest water from their vegetation, extremely high temperatures and arid conditions would mean that the vegetation would become scarce. Water is important for its digestion process and body metabolism.
When temperatures reduce, the lizards come out of their burrows and rock cracks to feed on the vegetation that is available. This greatly benefits in the digestion process and maintaining good health during the night time or during the cold seasons as they tend to hibernate by hiding in the burrows. It is however noted that at times temperatures can sometimes be extremely low which means they need to adapt to the cold. Uromastyx aegyptia lizards tend to reduce their activity when experiencing high temperatures, hiding from danger and during the night when hiding in the burrows and cracks of the rocks. This helps in reducing water loss because it is like hibernating and become nocturnal during the night.
Avenues of water loss for the Uromastyx aegyptia
Since the Uromastyx aegyptia lives in harsh and arid conditions, it tries to minimize its water loss. The vegetation in the desert and arid areas comprises salty elements however, they lose the salt through their nostril glands and retain the water for digestion. During the day they lose a lot of water through excessive body heat and through excretion of wastes.