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Issue: Vol. 4320 No. 2: 15 Sept. 2017
Type: Article
Published: 2017-09-15
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4320.2.5
Page range: 289–304
Abstract views: 140
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 (Sauria: Scincidae) from Iran

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, 6714967346 Kermanshah, Iran
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, 6714967346 Kermanshah, Iran
Department of Biology, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.
Zoological Museum of Moscow State University, Herpetology Department, 125009 Moscow, B. Nikitskaya, 2.
Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran.
Department of Environment, Aban-Pajouh Consulting Engineering Company, Tehran, Iran
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, GSP-1, 119991, Russia.
Zoological Museum of Moscow State University, Herpetology Department, 125009 Moscow, B. Nikitskaya, 2.
Reptilia Eumeces persicus sp. nov. Iranian Plateau Morphology Phylogeny Skink

Abstract

We describe a new species of skink in the genus Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 from Iran. Eumeces persicus sp. nov. is a medium-sized skink, distinguished by two clear, wide, and brown lateral lines extending from the ear opening to the hindlimbs, with scattered light orange spots, and two median rows of dorsal scales broadly enlarged in eight longitudinal rows. The new species ranges from southern Tehran to Kerman Province along the eastern slopes of the Zagros Mountains towards the Iranian plateau. We provide morphological comparisons of the new species with other Eumeces species from the region and molecular analyses of two mitochondrial markers (16S and Cytb). We also present taxonomic and phylogenetic accounts, with an updated identification key for the genus Eumeces in Iran and surrounding regions.

 

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