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The Northwest of Iran, covering the three provinces of Ardabil, East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, is a special area that, due to its particular geographical and climatic conditions has a rich biodiversity. The present study was conducted with the aim of studying the habitat, substrate type, feeding, conservation and distribution of lizards in this area from 2003 to now. Our results have revealed that there are 20 lizard species belonging to 13 genera and 5 families in this area. Lacertid lizards have the highest species diversity with 12 species. We also found that high ranges of habitats with a different substrate types are inhabited by lizard species. The number of species in pine regions compared with other types of area is considerably greater. The conservation status of lizards is unknown and requires further study.

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Northwestern Iran has unique geographical and climatic conditions that support a rich flora and fauna. In view of the lack of in-depth studies on the lizards of the region, an investigation was started in the northern part of Ardabil Province for an inventory of this component of the fauna and their habitats. Collections were made from October 2003 to June 2005 and 165 specimens were collected and identified. Five families, 12 genera and 15 species are represented, including Agamidae: Laudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus persicus, Trapelus ruderatus; Lacertidae: Lacerta media media, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta brandtii, Darevskia raddei raddei, Eremias strauchi strauchi, Eremias arguta, Ophisops elegans; Scincidae: Mabuya aurata transcaucasica, Eumeces schneiderii princeps, Abelepharus bivittatus; Anguidae: Pseudopus apodus and Gekkonidae: Cyrtopodion caspium caspium. Comparing this list to the data provided by Anderson (1999), it seems that most of the lizards are being reported for the Province for the first time. The families Gekkonidae and Anguidae are newly recorded, and the gecko Cyrtopodion caspium is first recorded from the west and northwest of Iran. With seven species represented in the area, lacertids have the highest species diversity among the lizard families and need further study. Habitat features also have been given for all species.

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The scientific biography of the outstanding herpetologist and specialist in zoogeography Sergei Alexandrovich Chernov (1903–1964) was reconstructed on the base the study of archival materials and literature sources. The text is divided into four parts, reflecting the main stages of his biography: 1903–1930 – Kharkiv, the beginning of the scientific career; 1930–1941 – relocation to Leningrad, Tajik-Pamir expedition; 1941–1945 – Great Patriotic War and evacuation; 1945–1964 – period after the Great Patriotic War. In the paper, we emphasize the line of teacher–student continuity begun by A.M. Nikolsky and S.A. Chernov in the herpetology department of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The appendix contains a list of his publications (52 ti- tles), taxa, described by him (11) and named in his honor (6). In majority of his publications, Chernov was the sole author; most of them were published in Russian; only one paper was written in a foreign (German) language. One of the main achievements of Chernov should be recognized a publication of the Guide of amphibians and reptiles of the USSR together with P.V. Terentyev. He made the greatest contribution to the study of the systematics of lizards and snakes, composition, zoogeography, and the history of the formation of the herpetofauna of Central Asia. According to his studies, the fauna of Central and Central Asia are subsidiaries of the once united region, what contradicted the views of his teacher Nikolsky, who developed the concept of M.A. Menzbir about the young postglacial origin of the Aral-Caspian deserts and the ancient, Eocene origin of the deserts of Central Asia.

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TERRA TYPICA. Interstream area of the rivers Ural and Emba. DISTRIBUTION. The distribution range stretches from northeastern Romania in the west to south-western Mongolia (Jungar Gobi) and north-western China (Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia) in the east, Turkey and Iran in the south. Within the limits of North Eurasia it is widely distributed from the steppe zone of Moldova, the Ukraine and the European part of Russia including North Caucasus and the area of the Volga river in the west, to Kazakhstan, the Republics of Middle Asia and Mongolia in the east. In Mongolia records are known in the southern part of the Kobdos aimak and in the Gobi-Altai aimak. Disjuncted from the main distribution range the species occurs in the eastern Transcaucasia, within the limits of Azerbaijan, eastern Georgia and the basin of the Sevan Lake in Armenia. The most northern, evidently isolated habitats are known in the Volzhsko-Kamsky Territory from the Samara bend and Buzuluksky coniferous forest. The species is divided into 6 subspecies which are different, in particular, by the above-described types of the coloration of the body and the size proportions. E. a. arguta (Pallas, 1773) – is distributed in the western Kazakhstan. E. a. deserti (Gmelin, 1789) – occupies the whole western part of the distribution range from the river Ural in the east up to the eastern part of the North Caucasus in the south-west. E. a. transcaucasica Darevsky, 1953 inhabits eastern Transcaucasia, E. a. uzbekistanica Chernov, 1934 – Uzbekistan and the frontier regions of Turkmenistan, southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. E. a. darevskii Tsaruk, 1986 – Issyk Kul hollow in Kyrgyzstan. E. a. potanini Bedriaga, 1912 lives in the area adjacent to the Balkhash Lake and Zaisan hollow in Kazakhstan. CONSERVATION STATUS. The steppe – runner E. a. potanini is included into the Red Data Book of Mongolia (1997) as a rare species, it is protected on the territory of the Great Gobi reservation. E. a. uzbekistanica is included into the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (1999) as a species which habitats are destroyed the number of is reducing (category 2). E. a. transcaucasica is included into the Red Data Book of Armenia (1987) with the status “species disjuncted from the main distribution range”. E. a. deserti is included into the Red Data Book of Moldova (2001): category – Critically Endangered species.

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Acanthodactylus blanfordi, Acanthodactylus boskianus, Acanthodactylus grandis, Acanthodactylus micropholis, Acanthodactylus nilsoni, Acanthodactylus opheodurus, Acanthodactylus schmidti, Eremias acutirostris, Eremias andersoni, Eremias arguta, Eremias fasciata, Eremias grammica, Eremias intermedia, Eremias lalezharica, Eremias lineolata, Eremias nigrocellata, Eremias nigrolateralis, Eremias persica, Eremias pleskei, Eremias scripta, Eremias strauchi strauchi, Eremias strauchi kopetdaghica, Eremias velox velox, Lacerta brandtii, Lacerta cappadocica urmiana, Lacerta chlorogaster, Lacerta defilippii, Lacerta media media, Lacerta mostoufi, Lacerta praticola praticola, Lacerta princeps princeps, Lacerta princeps kurdistanica. Lacerta raddei raddei, Lacerta raddei vanensis, Lacerta steineri, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta valentini valentini, Lacerta zagrosica, Mesalina brevirostris brevirostris, Mesalina brevirostris fieldi, Mesalina watsonana, Ophisops elegans.

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The unique isolated population of racerunner Eremias arguta transcaucasica in Armenia is under strong human pressure and seeks urgent conservation measures. The population has a limited area (approximately 9 hectares) on the shore of Lake Sevan, in vicinity of a settlement. Հայաստանում բազմագույն մողեսիկի միակ և մեկուսացված պոպուլյացիան գտնվում է մարդածին գործոնի ուժեղ ազդեցության ներքո, և անհրաժեշտ են անհապաղ միջոցառումներ նրա պահպանության համար: Պոպուլյացիան գտնվում է Սևանա լճի ափին, բնակելի տարածքից ոչ շատ հեռու և գրավում է 9 հա տարածք: Единственно известная изолированная популяция разноцветной ящурки в Армении находится под сильным антропогенным прессом и требует срочных мер по ее охране. Популяция занимает ограниченную площадь (около 9 гектаров) на берегу озера Севан недалеко от населенного пункта.

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Twenty-four species of lacertid lizards were examined at 31 sites in western Yogoslavia, Greece and Iberia. Comparative observations were made on over 4500 individual lizards, noting such features as times of activitiy, hunting methods, diet, micro- and macrohabitat, refuges used and body temperature. These data are used as a basis for assessing resource partition in related sympatric species, for find out whether different systematic groups have characteristic types of niche, and for comparing cumminity structures in the peninsulas of southern Europa. Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Algyroides marchi, Algyroides moreoticus, Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta horvathi, Lacerta lepida, Lacerta monticola, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta mosorensis, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta vivipara, Podarcis bocagei, Podarcis erhardii, Podarcis hispanica, Podarcis melisellensis, Podarcis milensis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis sicula, Podarcis taurica, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus hispanicus.

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A new species of Eremias has been described from the Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. It constitutes the first record of the genus Eremias from the Oriental (Indian) region. The species has been named Eremias cholistanica, after the Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. This striped desert lacerta is not only different from all its congeners in several morphological characteristics but has been collected from an area distant from the previous known range of Eremias.

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Background. The purpose of the work is to clarify the species of turtles, lizards and snakes that P. S. Pallas noted in the Volga river basin and the Volga-Ural inter fluve. Pallas’s data on the reptile fauna of the region are compared with current data Materials an methods. The basis of the study was the analysis of Pallas’s publications. The names of reptiles used by Pallas with their modern names are identified. Results. From the Volga region, Pallas described two species of reptiles that are new to science: “Coluber melanis” (black forest-steppe form of the Vipera berus) and “Lacerta pipiens” (Alsophylax pipiens). From the interfluve of the Volga and the Ural Pallas described two species yet: “Lacerta apoda” (Pseudopus apodus) and “Lacerta mystacea” (Phrynocephalus mystaceus). The great naturalist noted in the Volga region also reptiles, whose modern names are: Emys orbicularis, Phrynocephalus helioscopus, Phrynocephalus guttatus, Phrynocephalus mystaceus, Eremias velox, Lacerta agilis, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Hierophis caspius, Gloydius halys, Vipera berus, Vipera renardi. At the beginning of the XXI century, one species of turtles, 11 species of lizards and 10 species of snakes reliably inhabit the region. Conclusions. The species of reptiles noted by Pallas, except for the Pseudopus apodus and the Gloydius halys, reliably inhabit the region at present. The data of the Pallas serve as a basis for studying the dynamics of species composition, distribution, abundance and phenology of reptiles in the Volga basin.

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Nine reptile species inhabited on the five sites in the Orenburgsky State Nature Reserve, these are Emys orbicularis, Eremias arguta, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Coronella austriaca, Elaphe dione, and Vipera renardi. Lacerta agilis is the only abundant species. Over the last 20-25 years, the abundance of at least three species (Emys orbicularis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix) has decreased in some clusters of the reserve.

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The information about the northern range boundary of the steppe-runner Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773) has changed in recent decades. Based on the reliable recordins in 2001-2020 from 12 locations the northern range boundary between Volga and Ural was specified. It runs through the Engelsky District of the Saratov Region, through the Stavropolsky, Kinelsky, Bogatovsky and Borsky Districts of the Samara Region, through the Buzuluksky and Tashlinsky Districts of the Orenburg Region of Russia. The northern limit of the range should be considered the Volga above-floodplain slope in the left-bank part of the Stavropolsky district in Samara region. All specimens encountered had body coloration typical of Eremias arguta deserti (Gmelin, 1789). The locations of steppe-runner are confined to open spaces treeless and without a dense herbaceous vegetation on the southern sandy slopes.

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The report describes the occurrence (observation) of the Steppe Runner Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773) that took place in the summer of 2016 in Derzhavin Forestry of Buzuzluk Pine Forest National Park (Buzuluk District of Orenburg Region).

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Ilya S. Darevsky co-described 70 taxa (three genera, 46 species, 21 subspecies) in 44 publications belonging to five orders, eight families of amphibians and reptiles during his career in herpetology. Of this number, three taxa are fossil and 57 taxa are currently considered as valid. By the regions where new taxa were discovered Southeast Asia and Western Asia (includes Caucasus and Asia Minor) dominates. The largest number of descriptions was published in the Russian Journal of Herpetology.

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A complete catalogue is provided for the type specimens of lacertid lizards in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Museum, Berlin, as of December, 1993. The collection contains a total of 514 type specimens, representing 63 taxa, of which 42 are currently regarded as valid at the specific or subspecific level. Types representing an additional four taxa appear to have been lost from the collection. The collections are especially rich in African lacertid types and in historically significant specimens collected early in the Nineteenth Century by Pallas, Eversmann, and Hemprich & Ehrenberg. Also present are the type series of many subspecies of Podarcis lilfordi and P. pityusensis described by Eisentraut.

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Research of the herpethofauna of the Lower Volga area began by academic expeditions of the 18 century. As a result of these researches, many new species of amphibians and reptiles were described. Some of these species descriptions are recognized as the priority ones. The earliest data on amphibians and reptiles in the territory of the current Volgograd region were collected at the beginning of the 19 century (Kondratyev, 1885). Important data on the Sarepta amphibians and reptiles were also published by A. Becker (1855). Later, a new viper species was described on the basis of the Sarepta materials (Christoph, 1861). At the beginning of the 20 century, materials on amphibians and reptiles were collected by V. Kiziritsky in the territory of the Tsaritsyn (currently Volgograd) region (1913). The results of these works are reflected in A. M. Nikolsky`s reports (1915, 1916, and 1918). A next stage of research began in the middle of the 20 century by works of the Stalingrad zoologists (N. A. Kosareva, B. S. Kubantsev, T. I. Zhukova, N. N. Kolyakin, etc.). Later, zoologists from Moscow and other Russian cities conducted their research there as well. The results of all these studies on inventory of the herpethofauna of the Volgograd region are summarized in Professor B.S. Kubantsev’s works (1996, 2003, etc.). Now, local zoologists continue studying the amphibian and reptile fauna of the Volgograd region. A significant contribution to our knowledge on distribution, number and ecology of reptiles was brought by Saratov researchers. But the herpethofauna inside a considerable territory of the Lower Volga area is still poorly studied. Key words: amphibians, reptiles, fauna, study, history, Volgograd region, Russia.

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Animals must cope with and be able to move effectively on a variety of substrates. Substrates composed of granular media, such as sand and gravel, are extremely common in nature, and vary tremendously in particle size and shape. Despite many studies of the properties of granular media and comparisons of locomotion between granular and solid substrates, the effects of systematically manipulating these media on locomotion is poorly understood. We studied granular media ranging over four orders of magnitude in particle size, and differing in the amount of particle shape variation, to determine how these factors affected substrate physical properties and sprinting in the generalist lizard Eremias arguta. We found that media with intermediate particle sizes had high bulk densities, low angles of stability and low load-bearing capacities. Rock substrates with high shape variation had higher values for all three properties than glass bead substrates with low shape variation. We found that E. arguta had the highest maximum velocities and accelerations on intermediate size particles, and higher velocities on rock than glass beads. Lizards had higher stride frequencies and lower duty factors on intermediate particle size substrates, but their stride lengths did not change with substrate. Our findings suggest that sand and gravel may represent different locomotor challenges for animals. Sand substrates provide animals with an even surface for running, but particles shift underfoot. In contrast, gravel particles are heavy, so move far less underfoot, yet provide the animal with an uneven substrate.

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The final part of a series of papers on the lizards of the Caucasus, that have been published in previous years. The paper reports on the life habits, capture and keeping in terraria of several lizards of Soviet Transcaucasia. In these respects the agamid Phrynocephalus helioscopus persi- cus and three species of the lacertid genus Eremias occuring in that area (i. e. strauchi, velox, pleskei) are discussed. Finally a !ist of all lizard species and subspecies actually known to occur in this region is given.

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General remarks on Georgia as nature area and on ist herpetofauna, with discussion about ist population density. Short presentation and hints on distribution and habitats of Eremias arguta transcaucasica, E. velox caucasica, Ophisops elegans elegans, Lacerta agilis brevicaudata, L. agilis ioriensis, L. agilis grusinica, L. media media and L. strigata.

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The current book provides a synthesis of the information concern- ing field identification of all the species and subspecies of Amphibia and Reptilia hitherto registered in Bulgaria. It comprises 61 species and 23 subspecies, among which 5 species (Pelophylax lessonae, P. kurtmuelleri, Hemidactylus turcicus, Eremias arguta, Montivipera xanthina) that have not been found yet on the territory of the country, but which are known from sites in proximity to Bulgar- ian frontiers. The frogs and toads are represented with 14 spe- cies, newts and salamanders with 6 species, turtles and tortoises with 7 species (Trachemys scripta introduced; Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas considered extinct), and snakes with 19 species (Vipera aspis and V. ursinii considered extinct). The structure of each species’ description includes the following headings: Name, Diagnosis, General Distribution, Distribution in Bulgaria, Habitats, and Biology. Besides in Bulgarian and Latin, all species are sup- plemented with their English, French, German and Russian names. All synonyms in the main herpetological literature are listed after the currently accepted Latin name. Original keys for identification of the families, genera and species, based entirely on morphologi- cal characters of adult specimens, as well as on the structure of amphibians’ eggs and larvae, are elaborated to facilitate the users. A photo gallery, comprising original colour photos shot in nature, and numerous line drawings of different key characters are made for better distinction between the species. For purely conservation- al reasons, the distribution maps not only indicate the scientifically confirmed species distribution in the country, but also show the areas with suitable habitats where a given species is likely to oc- cur. The degree of suitability is indicated with a different degree of shading: optimal (black); suboptimal (80% gray); suitable (60% gray); less suitable (20% gray); white means unsuitable. The guide is also introducing the readers to some general aspects of the tax- onomy, systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of herpeto- fauna. Special chapters are devoted to the methods of observation and capture of amphibians and reptiles, first aid after a snake’s bite, and the relationship between herpetofauna – humans. The status of each species according to main biodiversity conservation acts and conventions is given in Table 1. Being the first publication of its kind, the book is intended for professional herpetologists, students or nature lovers.

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Terrestrial route counts of reptiles in 24 localities of the plateau Ustyurt were carried out in 2007 – 2008. 474 individuals of 15 species were found along a total of 243.5 km passed. Based on the results of our survey, the reptile population structure has been clarified in 12 landscapes. The low specific diversity and population density of reptiles were observed everywhere. 2 to 8 species with a population density of 1.9 – 8.4 individuals per ha were found in certain landscapes. In terms of abundance, the reptiles belonged to rare or common species. The steppe agama Trapelus sanguinolentus and the Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldii were the most abundant. Four racerunner species (Eremias) had a pronounced confinement to various types of substrate, which allowed them to occupy the dominant position in the landscapes by numbers. Four main landscape complexes of reptile communities were identified, which changed zonally in the latitudinal direction. The attitude of the reptiles to their environmental conditions is discussed. The plasticity of the Eremias species to substrates is estimated, and to distinguish its types is suggested.

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The book summarizes studies related to the herpetofauna of Kazakhstan that were carried out in the 18th century. The first fragmentary information on this topic refers to the middle of this century (J.G. Gmelin, P.I. Rychkov). The greatest scientific value were the results of the academic expeditions (P.S. Pallas, I.I. Lepekhin, S.G. Gmelin, J.P. Falk, J.G. Georgi, N.P. Rychkov) between 1768 and 1774, especially the field data obtained by P.S. Pallas. This information served as a basis for the inclusion of data on amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the territories of present-day Kazakhstan (mainly the western Caspian region) into foreign herpetological reviews on a global scale as well as the zoological manuals established by West- European naturalists (e.g., P.L.S. Müller, G.H. Borowski, B.-G.-É. Lacepède, P.-G. Bonnaterre, J.F. Gmelin, F.A. Меyer, J.A. Donndorff, G.A. Suckow, I. Schneider, J.M. Bechstein, W. Тurton). Тhese studies concluded with the first summaries of the herpetofauna of the Russian Empire compiled by J.G. Georgi (1801) as well as by P.S. Pallas in his “Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica” (1814). Short biographies of all mentioned authors are presented in this volume, and annotated lists of species they noted for Kazakhstan as well.

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The hybrid Rana esculenta (diploid) is first recorded for Moldavia. Bombina variegata was previously confused with B. bombina, as well as Rana dalmatina was confused with the long-legged R. arvalis. The first confirmed locality of Lacerta vivipara is given. The occurrence of Eremias arguta in Moldavia is mentioned. The check-list of 12 species of amphibians and 15 species of reptiles of Moldavia is published.

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Many regions of the former USSR still re- ceive little attention from Western visitors, herpetologists not excluded. For the Cau- casus Mountains this is all the more sur- prising since the area forms a zone where northern and Middle Eastern flora and fauna meet, and which is thus of considera- bly zoogeographical interest. Presently we find three larger states in the Caucasus: Georgia, Azerbaijan and Arme- nia. Turkey borders to the southwest, Iran to the southeast, and in the north it is the Russian federation. Various smaller parts claim independence. The Black Sea forms the natural western boundary, the Caspian Sea the eastern one. Herpetologically the Caucasus is historically well-known because of the work of Darev- sky and collaborators on the rock lizards (at the time still in the large genus Lacerta, now in Darevskia) and the discovery of the first case of parthenogenesis in vertebrates (DAREVSKY, 1967; DAREVSKII, 1978; DAREVSKY & KULIKOVA, 1961). Below we will concentrate on the results of our field trip to Georgia during the last two weeks of June 2003. Predictably, because of our common interest in the group, the lacertids will receive the most attention.

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A phylogenetic-comparative approach was used to assess and refine existing secondary structure models for a frequently studied region of the mitochondrial encoded large subunit (16S) rRNA in two large lizard lineages within the Scincomorpha, namely the Scincidae and the Lacertidae. Potential pairings and mutual information were analyzed to identify site interactions present within each lineage and provide consensus secondary structures. Many of the interactions proposed by previous models were supported, but several refinements were possible. The consensus structures allowed a detailed analysis of rRNA sequence evolution. Phylogenetic trees were inferred from Bayesian analyses of all sites, and the topologies used for maximum likelihood estimation of sequence evolution parameters. Assigning gamma-distributed relative rate categories to all interacting sites that were homologous between lineages revealed substantial differences between helices. In both lineages, sites within helix G2 were mostly conserved, while those within helix E18 evolved rapidly. Clear evidence of substantial site-specific rate variation (covarion-like evolution) was also detected, although this was not strongly associated with specific helices. This study, in conjunction with comparable findings on different, higher-level taxa, supports the ubiquitous nature of site-specific rate variation in this gene and justifies the incorporation of covarion models in phylogenetic inference.

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The National University of Mongolia, the Mongolian State University of Education, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Kansas conducted four collaborative expeditions between 2010 and 2014, resulting in accounts for all species of lacertid and agamid, except Phrynocephalus kulagini. These expeditions resulted in a range extension for Eremias arguta and the collection of specimens and tissues across 134 unique localities. In this paper we summarize the species of the Agamidae (Paralaudakia stoliczkana, Ph. hispidus, Ph. helioscopus, and Ph. versicolor) and Lacertidae (E. argus, E. arguta, E. dzungarica, E. multiocellata, E. przewalskii, and E. vermiculata) that were collected during these four expeditions. Further, we provide a summary of all species within these two families in Mongolia. Finally, we discuss issues of Wallacean and Linnaean shortfalls for the herpetofauna of the Mongolian Gobi Desert, and provide future directions for studies of community assemblages and population genetics of reptile species in the region.

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From the perspectives of biodiversity conservation and management, there is an urgent need to have at hand current synopses of classification and distributions of species. In this paper, we review and summarize the classifications, Chinese and English names, type specimens, type localities and distributions of China’s lizard fauna to promote scientific exchange and species conservation among relevant people in China and internationally. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 230 species of lizard, belonging to 44 genera and 12 families, have been recorded from China, including 4 invasive species: 2 in the family Gekkonidae, 1 in Iguanidae and one in Dactyloidae. There are 115 endemic species, accounting for 50% of this group. The proportion of endemic species to China was the highest in the family Eublepharidae (84.62%), and the number of endemic species to China was the highest in the family Agamidae (42 species). The species distributions and classification in the “Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 2): Squamata (Lacertilia)” were updated. Among the provincial administrative units, there is a larger number of species in the southern provinces, such as Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Taiwan. Sichuan, Yunnan, and Taiwan harbour relatively more endemic species than others. A total of 154 species of lizards were first discovered in China, and the type localities of these species are concentrated in Yunnan, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Sichuan.

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We discuss three aspects of the thermal biology of lacertid lizards. First, we provide an overview of the available data on field body temperatures (Tb), the thermal sensitivity of various performance functions and selected body temperatures in different species of lacertid lizards. We also briefly summarise information on the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Second, we discuss recent developments to estimate the »precision« of thermoregulation, and the contribution of distinct behavioural mechanisms. Finally, we revise available evidence for the existence of evolutionary adjustments of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Existing studies have mainly dealt with within- and among-species differences in thermoregulatory behaviour (selected temperatures) and thermal physiology of adults (optimal temperatures, heating rates). Available data provide only limited evidence for clear-cut evolutionary shifts in thermal physiology characteristics along climatic gradients.

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Variants of estimating the number of different lizard species in natural populations are proposed. In one sense or another, we are talking about an accounting site of a known area. But depending on the biological features of different lizard species, the accounting indicators may be different: either it is a fixation of the total number of lizards living on the accounting site (which is possible for the toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus mystaceus), or it is a fixation of the number of lizards encounters on accounting routes of a certain length and width, i.e. a certain area (which is possible for the steppe runner Eremias arguta). Correction coefficients should be introduced into the accounting results, which should take into account that: 1) the distribution of lizards across the territory is uneven due to microbiotopic differences (K1), 2) not all lizards that live in the this territory may be active on the surface every day (K2), 3) when using different registration methods, primary accounting data allow registering a different proportions of lizards from their total number inhabiting this site (K3). After such an adjustment of the accounting results, it is possible to calculate the density of lizard settlements and the absolute number of lizards for any separate sections of entire territories. As a result of our work, we have so far determined the composition of these coefficients. Subsequent studies should lead to the development of standardized methods for determining these coefficients. According to our calculations, the density of the population of toad-headed agamas in the area of their most compact habitat on the large Sarykum dune can be up to 125 individuals/ha, and their total number can be estimated at about 7000-7500 individuals. For steppe runners, their population density in places of compact habitat in the vicinity of the small Sarykum dune can be 18.0-23.4 ind./ha, and their total number in the area of about 9 ha, where we carried out our research work, could be 180-220 individuals. By standardizing the methods of evaluating different species of lizards, it is possible to organize correct long-term monitoring of the state of their populations.

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407 specimens of Eremias arguta, 140 specimens of E. intermedia and 271 specimens of E. velox from Kazakhstan and adjacent areas were examined in respect of pholidosis variability. 24 pholidosis characters of head and preanal region and 2 pholidosis characters of rear limbs were analyzed. Resulting from analysis, we divide E. arguta into three main groups. First group comprises animals from Volgograd District (Russia) and, partially, animals from Western Kazakhstan. Second group includes the rest of Western Kazakhstan samples, North Aral Sea Region, Eastern Kazakhstan and some specimens from Semirechje. Specimens from Kzylkum sands, Karatau ridge and environs of Kopa station were referred to as third group. The rate of specimens with increased amount of shields before the 2nd supraocular shield trends to gradual grow westward and southward. E. intermedia shows no significant differences within range of species distribution in Kazakhstan. Most variable E. velox from Western Kazakhstan are characterized with absente or only single scute between frontal and supraocular shields. Most variable temporal region were documented for eastern samples.

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In present work the data on morphological variability of the Stepperunner from 6 populations of the Aral Sea Basin are resulted. Data analysis has shown that the lizards from the northern regions of Aral Sea Basin reliably differ from those inhabited the southwestern regions in length and width of a head, attitude of head length to length of a trunk, length of hind limb and its attitude to trunk length, number of scales around 9-10 tail segments and pattern of coloration.

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Morphology and subspecies of Eremias arguta (PALLAS, 1773), in Kazakhstan. The external morphology of Eremias arguta in Kazakhstan was examined. Three metric and ten meristic characters as well as the dorsal pattern of 206 individuals from 13 populations of southern, south-eastern and eastern Kazakhstan were analyzed. Sexual dimorphism was found to occur in relative tail length (fem. > males), number of longitudinal gular scales (fem. < males), and number of femoral pores (fem. < males). Clinal variation exists in the number of dorsals, gulars, femoral pores, and scales between femoral pores. Most of populations studied revealed a pattern of large white spots and transverse dark strips. Some specimens from eastern Kazakhstan are characterized by small white spots and interrupted, somewhat fused dark strips. Most southern populations show elongated white spots and irregular black spots scattered along the dorsum. Subspecies status of the steppe-runners from eastern Kazakhstan is still unclear and needs future clarification. Populations from south-eastern Kazakhstan are closer to E. arguta potanini. Southernmost populations belong to E. a. uzbekistanica.

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e reptile fauna of Romania comprises 23 species, out of which 12 species reach here the limit of their geographic range. We compiled and updated a national database of the reptile species occurrences from a variety of sources including our own eld surveys, personal communication from specialists, museum collections and the scienti c literature. e occurrence records were georeferenced and stored in a geoda- tabase for additional analysis of their spatial patterns. e spatial analysis revealed a biased sampling e ort concentrated in various protected areas, and de cient in the vast agricultural areas of the southern part of Romania. e patterns of species richness showed a higher number of species in the warmer and drier regions, and a relatively low number of species in the rest of the country. Our database provides a starting point for further analyses, and represents a reliable tool for drafting conservation plans.

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In Dobrudja we encountered 10 species of amphibians (Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae), 16 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Testudo graeca, Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta trilineata, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis muralis, Eremias arguta, Coronella austriaca, Zamensis longissimus, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Dolichophis caspius, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes) and also Rana kl. esculenta populations. Some species of amphibians (Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus) that were only previously known inform the lower regions of the Danube’s meadow and in the vicinity of the Black Sea, were recorded in the high areas of northern Dobrudja. Also here, all three forms of the green frogs’ complex documented for Romania have been encountered, but Rana lessonae and Rana esculenta are very rare, being found only in the north. The central sectors of Dobrudja are severely impacted by human activities, almost completely cleared as a result of agriculture and showed very low number of herpetofauna species as being present. The most important areas for the herpetofauna are the northern and south-western regions.

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Based on the Giemsa-dyeing karyotypes and silver-staining bands of 15 populations from different localities in China belonging to 6 species of the genus Eremias , We found all species studied have 19 pairs of chromosomes, the size of chromosomes reduces gradually and there are no marked differences between the arranged pairs of macrochromosomes except the last pair of microchromosome. There are the same karyotype formula as 2n=38=36I+2m with NF=38 in E. argus, E. multiocellata, E. velox, E. arguta and E. grammica; but the karyotype formula of E. vermiculata is different as 2n=38=12V+2sI+22I+2m with NF=50. The NOR are all located on one small pair in female of E. velox, and E. arguta , in male of E. grammica and E. vermiculata ,and in both male and female of E. multiocellata. We have not found two or more than two pairs of NOR. Having one pair of NOR may be common in Genus Eremias and also the trait of Eremias. We speculate that the derivation of the karyotype of E. vermiculata had two possible way: one experienced the stage of triploid, and later the Robertsonian transposal of chromosomes; the other way was through the inversions between the arms on the chromosome and the phenomenon of inversions might occur during or subsequently after the upheaval of the Tibet and Qinghai plateau and the founding of the Tianshan . With regard to the trend of the evolution of chromosomes in the lizards ([1]), the karyotype of E. vermiculata is more advanced. Making specialties of E. vermiculata will help in building the phylogenic tree of Eremias. In both male and female of the species studied, the heteromorphic sex-chromosomes were not found.

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The Cadastre of the Genetical Fund is the of cial directory on biodiversity – the annotated check-list of living creatures registered on the territory of the country, re ecting the current state of the biotic inventory. The present volume IV is devoted to the chordates and contains general distributional data about representatives of ve classes of vertebrate animals: ray- nned shes (Actinopterygii), amphibians (Amphibia), reptiles (Reptilia), birds (Aves), and mammals (Mammalia). This volume completes the national faunal inventory (the check-list of all invertebrate animals is presented in volumes II and III). In total, there are listed 602 species (with all local subspecies) represents 325 genera belongs to 119 families. There are also included 14 species doubtfully recorded in Kyrgyzstan, and 36 species names are expunged from faunal list. Each taxon name is supplied with the main synonymy, most accepted Russian, Kyrgyz, and English names. Data on current distribution within Kyrgyzstan and endemicity level are provided for each species (subspecies), as well as main references. The guide book also contains 74 color photographs in the annex. It is destined for experts in ecology, zoologists, specialists and employers of the institutions for the management of the natural resources, nature conservation and biological education.

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The distribution of Eremias arguta in the North Caucasus within Kabardino-Balkaria is discussed. A new find of the species from Geduko in the Baksansky district is presented.

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A reptile catalogue of the Zoological Museum, Stavropol State University, is presented. 1,019 specimens of 88 species collected within the territories of Russian Federation, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and some other areas are listed. The history of the Museum and the formation of its collection are given.

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In this article, a list of lizards of fauna of Kazakhstan, compiled according to the latest taxonomic revisions with the aim of unifying the taxonomy is presented, and a short outline of the history of views on the composition of fauna of Kazakhstan lizards are presented. The tasks of this work are explained by a significant increase in the number of special publications and frequent changes in views on the phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of species.

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The paper presents data on the histology and ultrastructure of the liver of two lizard species, Lacerta agilis and Eremias arguta, inhabiting the territory of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site (Eastern Kazakhstan). An LM study has shown the presence of pathological changes expressed in irregular vascular filling of the liver and venous, local discomplexation of hepatocyte, vacuole and adipose dystrophies and an increase of the local micronecroses where the lymphocyte, resident macrophage and Kupffer cell infiltrations have been registered. An EM investigation has revealed the features of glycogenolysis and decreasing of the lipid embeddings, the phenomenon of hydropical dystrophy and intracellular swelling in the certain part of the hepatocytes, significant hemosiderin accumulations in the liver cells appeared because of intensified catabolism of the phagocyted erythrocytes. The high level of metabolism processes was provided by utilization of the lipid embeddings, the high level of nucleoprotein synthesis and intensification of phosphorylating function of the mitochondria. The functional activity of Kupfer’s hyperplastic cells was directed to the synthesis of pigment granules, the mostimportant role among which belongs to melanin as a strong antioxidant protecting the body against free radicals.

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The distribution and habitat characteristics of two Eremias species (E. arguta and E. stummeri) from contiguous areas of southeastern Kazakhstan, northeastern Kyrgyzstan, and western Xinjiang, China, were analyzed using GIS modeling. We show that both species are dry-steppe-adapted xerophilous lizards with sclerophilic and partially petrophilic specialization. In spite of the visible similarity of the ecological niches (ENs) occupied by E. arguta and E. stummeri, the latter differs in a number of key variables. While most of the precipitation variables, the radiation of the winter and off-season months, and afternoon (PM) humidity are most important for E. arguta habitats, the habitats suitable for E. stummeri are limited by temperature variables, radiation during most of the year, and morning (AM) humidity. Differences on this scale indicate the way in which these lizards are adapted to different ecosystems — E. arguta to the plains and E. stummeri to the mountains — and support the views on their different zoogeographical accessory. Avisible correspondence of the distributional pattern of the two Eremias species to the mountain piedmonts and low foothills, with Pliocene-Quaternary concreted pebble deposits and the loess strata, permit us to consider mountain trails as the most likely means by which the species expanded in the Late Cenozoic period. Pronounced isolation of the populations in the Northern and the Central Tien Shan intramontane depressions appears as a factor from at least the Late Pliocene (E. stummeri) and the Middle Pleistocene (E. arguta) periods; and the association of the lizard habitats with loess deposits has given rise to the suggestion that there was an absence of serious change in their ranges during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Low precipitation, a high annual temperature range and the high aridity of the climate in general beyond the ENM optimum of E. arguta all point to severe conditions for lizards surviving already in the eastern part of the Ily Basin and explain the limited species distribution in the highly arid deserts of Xinjiang. In terms of methodology, our data highlights the lack of a ‘generalized set’ of BIOCLIM parameters in the ecological niche modeling of the mountain species. In particular, moisture and solar radiation as well as the relief variables play an important role in the ecological health of the poikilothermic xerophilous species inhabiting mountain areas.

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From the publisher: Before you a unique atlas-determinant. For the first time in one edition descriptions of all species of amphibians and reptiles living on the territory of Russia are presented, illustrated with beautiful color photographs. The book is written by E.A. Dunaev and V.F. Orlova, the famous Russian herpetologists, researchers of the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University named after MV Lomonosov. Lomonosov. A simple and accessible form of presentation, detailed descriptions of the external appearance, lifestyle and behavior, photographs reflecting all variants of the variability of these animals, will help the curious reader to become more familiar with turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs and other representatives of the herpetofauna. And special keys will allow you to determine who you met on a country walk, in a city park, at a dacha or while traveling to different corners of our country. The book is of great interest not only for nature lovers, but also for specialists in herpetology and students of biological faculties of universities. It lists the amphibians and reptiles of the native fauna, reflects the latest changes in the taxonomy of these groups, lists species included in the Red Book of Russia and regional Red Books, lists reference and scientific publications on reptiles and amphibians of Russian fauna.

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Seasonal activity of three species of lizards (Lacertidae) — Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773), Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823), living in Samara Region, was analyzed. Periods of seasonal activity for E. arguta and L. agilis (on dates of the fi rst occurrence in the spring and last meeting before hibernation) are adduced according to the author’s observation in 2001—2006. Differences in period of activity of adult and young individuals are marked.

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The data on the population of Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773) from the vicinity of Togliatti in this article are presented. Age structure and sex ratio in populations studied is determined.

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It is known that parasitic worms are an integral part of the natural ecosystem, performing a complex regulatory function. The aim of our study was to investigate the pathological changes that occur in the tissues of lizards exposed to parasites. In histological specimens of small intestine we observed cross sections of nematodes. The bodies of parasites with vaguely expressed organ structure and rounded formations of a small size, were surrounded by a wide strip of acellular eosinophilic mass; in the central parts there was a single rounded basophilic inclusion. On this basis we can assume that there is a formation of fibrosis, a protection against the parasite. Intestinal nematode parasitism in the studied lizards causes building of a xenoparasite barrier. The formation of the xenoparasite barrier is due to the adaptation of a parasitic agent and the host.

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The present paper proves that the endangered steppe runner (Eremias argutadeserti) still exists in the “Hanu Conachi River Sand Dunes” Nature Reserve. Prior to thisstudy it had not been recorded for almost 40 years and had been reported as extinct inthis region by the Romanian Red Data Book of Vertebrates. However, the majority of itsnatural habitat has been destroyed by the Robinia pseudoacacia plantations from thereserve. In order to ensure the survival of Eremias arguta deserti in the reserve, and inRomanian Moldavia, urgent measures have to be taken to reconstruct its natural habitatthrough the development of a management plan under the supervision and guidance ofexperts. At present, the steppe runner population from Hanu Conachi is extremelythreatened.

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Results of research of the diet of steppe runner (Eremias ar- guta) on the north of the area, in the Khopyor State Nature Re- serve (Voronezh Province, Novokhopersk District), are pre- sented. The analysis of the obtained data and their comparison with results of other researchers is carried out. The basis of the diet of steppe runner in the Khopyor Reserve is made by insects – hymenopterans and bugs.

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Background.The Central Black-Earth region is an extensive territory with vari-ous physiographic conditions where the distribution and morphology of the steppe-runner are studied rather incompletely. And in particular, when carrying out this re-search our goal was to specify the habitat of the steppe-runner within the Central Black-Earth region and to study the features of external morphology of this species. Materials and methods. The research was conducted during field seasons of 2007–2017 in the territory of two regions of the Central Black-Earth region – Belgo-rod region and Voronezh region. For studying of external morphological features 28 individuals of the steppe-runner from two localities of Voronezh region were used. In the analysis of variability of proportions of a body and a pholidosis 17 signs were considered. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the Statistica 10.0 program. Results and conclusions. As a result of the conducted research it has been estab-lished that the distribution of the steppe-runner within the Central Black-Earth re-gion coincides with sands of pine-forest terraces of the rivers. The northern border of the species’ habitat in the explored territory passes across Belgorod and Voronezh regions between 50 and 52° n.l. In the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative signs of the steppe-runner was found out that males authentically differ from fe-males in the tail length and the body-tail length ratio. When comparing with east and southern populations, the steppe-runners studied by us have rather smaller sizes of the tail and a smaller number of femoral pores.

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The steppe racerunner (Eremias arguta) is one of the most widespread species of the Eurasian racerunners (genus Eremias), inhabiting steppes and semi-deserts of eastern Europe and central Asia from Romania to Mongolia and western China. Historically, 6 subspecies are recognized, and with 2 subspecies occurring in China; however, the taxonomical status of some subspecies is still controversial due in part to their high morphological variability. The present study deals with the intraspecies systematics of 28 samples representing 4 populations in Bole city and Ili River Valley, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, through morphological comparison and phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene. Cyt b gene sequences of E. arguta available in the GenBank were compiled for comparison with the obtained haplotypes. Tree-based subspecies delimitation was achieved by using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. Bayes factors (BF) were used to test the competing hypotheses for E. arguta by comparing the unconstrained Bayesian tree topology to Bayesian trees with `hard` constraints. The morphological features of steppe racerunner population in Bole city matched the description of those from the Ili River Valley, with specific dorsal pattern characterized by the presence of bright blue or green ocelli in breeding males. Phylogenetic trees congruently indicated that the haplotypes from Bole city belong to the Ili River Valley clade, which represents a separate lineage with undescribed subspecies (E. arguta ssp.). The 3 hypotheses that populations from the Ili River Valley belong to the subspecies E. a. arguta, or E. a. potanini, or E. a. uzbekistanica were rejected with very strong evidence (2lnBF>10), respectively. The Ili River Valley clade is most likely the sister taxon to E. a. uzbekistanica and E. a. darevskii; meanwhile, there is no reliable evidence to reject the alternative hypothesis that E. arguta ssp.is sister to the remaining lineages of E. a. arguta (2 < 2lnBF < 6). In addition, the reciprocal monophyly of E. a. potanini and E. a. arguta was recovered albeit with low bootstrap values and moderate Bayesian posterior probabilities. An alternative topology with samples of E. a. potanini nested within the E. a. arguta clade was not rejected with very strong evidence (6 < 2lnBF < 10). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that:(i) the steppe racerunner in Bole city is not E. a. potanini, but belongs to the Ili River Valley clade and thus represents a new record of E. arguta ssp. in Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China; (ii) the populations from the Ili River Valley should not be classified as E. a. arguta or E. a. potanini or E. a. uzbekistanica, but belong to a cryptic clade (an undescribed subspecies); (iii) the phylogenetic placement of the novel clade (subspecies) is unclear and needing further clarification with integrative taxonomic approach. Finally, in combination with morphological variability, the validity of the E. a. potanini subspecies was discussed.

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The tail regeneration frequency in 55 lizards from the Volgograd region was analyzed, among which were 12 steppe-runners (Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773)) and 43 sand lizards (Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758). The following cases of tail regenerates were observed: 0) a normal tail; 1) regeneration in the distal third; 2) a tail regenerated from the middle part; and 3) autotomy near the base (the proximal third). The majority of the lizards had normal tails (60.0% of E. arguta and 83.2/57.1% of L. agilis in females/males). Only 16.7% of the steppe-runners had regenerated tails in the distal part whereas 8.4% of females and 28.6% of males had autotomy with subsequent regeneration in the proximal third of the tail; 5.6% of females and 14.3% of males had regenerated autotomy in the distal part, and 2.8% of females had it in the middle part of the tail. Two lizards with bifurcated tails were found and described: a male of E. arguta and a female of L. agilis. A case of complicated abnormality of tail regeneration in a male of L. agilis is also described. An X-ray study has shown that caudal bifurcation may appear as a result of both the primary and secondary (in the cartilage tube) regeneration.

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The data on species structure of lizards of Hvalynsky forest (Hvalynsky dis trict, Saratov region), Krasnosamarsky forest (Kinelsky district, Samara region), the Buzuluksky pine forest (Borsky district of the Samara region and Buzuluksky district of the Orenburg region) are presented.

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Eremias, or racerunners, is a widespread lacertid genus occurring in China, Mongolia, Korea, Central Asia, Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe. It has been through a series of taxonomic revisions, but the phylogenetic relationships among the species and subgenera remain unclear. In this study, a frequently studied region of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA was used to (i) reassess the phylogenetic relationships of some Eremias species, (ii) test if the viviparous species form a monophyletic group, and (iii) estimate divergence time among lineages using a Bayesian relaxed molecular-clock approach. The resulting phylogeny supports monophyly of Eremias sensu Szczerbak and a clade comprising Eremias, Acanthodactylus and Latastia. An earlier finding demonstrating monophyly of the subgenus Pareremias is corroborated, with Eremias argus being the sister taxon to Eremias brenchleyi. We present the first evidence that viviparous species form a monophyletic group. In addition, Eremias przewalskii is nested within Eremias multiocellata, suggesting that the latter is likely a paraphyletic species or a species complex. Eremias acutirostris and Eremias persica form a clade that is closely related to the subgenus Pareremias. However, the subgenera Aspidorhinus, Scapteira, and Rhabderemias seem not to be monophyletic, respectively. The Bayesian divergence-time estimation suggests that Eremias originated at about 9.9 million years ago (with the 95% confidence interval ranging from 7.6 to 12 Ma), and diversified from Late Miocene to Pleistocene. Specifically, the divergence time of the subgenus Pareremias was dated to about 6.3 million years ago (with the 95% confidence interval ranging from 5.3 to 8.5 Ma), which suggests that the diversification of this subgenus might be correlated with the evolution of an East Asian monsoon climate triggered by the rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau approximately 8 Ma.

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The lacertid genus Eremias Fitzinger in Wiegmann,1834,consists of approximately 36 species of racerunners,distributed throughout the desert and semi-desert regions from northern China,Mongolia,Korea,central and southwest Asia to southeastern Europe.This short review represents the history of taxonomic studies in the genus Eremias,including affirmation of the genus and its species,distribution characteristics,phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography.Traditional taxonomic methods,as well as new approaches(mtDNA analysis) are discussed.Future potential research projects on Eremias are outlined,such as phylogeny,phylogeography and speciation process.

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DNA sequences from parts of the 12S, 16S and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes, which totalled 1049 aligned base pairs, were used to estimate the relationships of 49 species of Lacertidae, including representatives of 19 out of the 23 recognized genera and 23 species of the paraphyletic genus Lacerta. These data were used, together with morphological information, to estimate the relationships within the family. Molecular evidence corroborates the monophyletic status of many genera and species groups originally based on morphology. It indicates that Psammodromus forms a clade with Gallotia, which is the sister taxon of all other lacertids. These comprise three units: the primarily Afrotropical armatured group; the largely Oriental Takydromus; and the west Palaearctic Lacerta and its derivatives, Podarcis and Algyroides. Morphology also supports the first three assemblages, but suggests that they are derived from a paraphyletic Lacerta. Within Lacerta and its allies, DNA sequence analysis corroborates the affinity of some members of each of the subgenera Lacerta s. str. and Timon, and of the L. saxicola group. It also supports the relationship of L. monticola, L. bonnali and L. horvathi, and suggests that the L. parva–L. fraasi clade and L. brandti are not related to Psammodromus–Gallotia, as morphology indicates, but instead are associated respectively with the L. danfordi and L. saxicola groups. DNA sequence data provide additional evidence that the eastern Arabian `Lacerta` jayakari and `L.` cyanura are members of the armatured clade and also sister species. Our analysis supports an origin for present lacertids in west Eurasia. The armatured clade invaded Africa, probably in the mid-Miocene, spreading widely and evolving increasingly xeric-adapted forms, one lineage of which later moved back into the Palaearctic. `Lacerta` jayakari and `L.` cyanura are assigned to Omanosaura, Lutz and Mayer 1986. The name Gallotiinae Cano, Baez, Lopez-Jurado and Ortega, 1984 is available for the Gallotia–Psammodromus clade, Eremiainae Shcherbak 1975 for the armatured clade and Lacertinae for Lacerta, Podarcis and Algyroides. Two new subgenera of Lacerta are proposed here: Caucasilacerta for L. saxicola and its allies, and Parvilacerta for L. parva and L. fraasi.

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This publication on the herpetofauna oft he Caucasus is a compilation oft wo articles published in 1967 and 1970 (Zool. Abh. SStaatl. Mus. Tierk. Dresden 29, pp. 85-93 and Aquarien terrarien 17, pp. 120-123.

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The evolutionary diversification of many terrestrial vertebrate groups is strongly linked to climatic events in the Cenozoic, the period from 65 Million years ago to today when modern animals first appeared. I investigated the effects of Cenozoic climate change on the taxonomic and morphological diversification of the Old World lizard family Lacertidae, with particular emphasis on the African radiation. African lacertids exhibit an unusual pattern of diversification, in which their highest species richness occurs in deserts north and south of the equator, despite being spread throughout the continent. This disparity is particularly surprising given that desert lacertids are thought to be evolutionarily younger than their mesic-dwelling relatives, suggesting increased diversification rates in arid habitats. To identify the evolutionary factors underlying this pattern, I use a combination of phylogenetic, morphological and ecological techniques. In Chapter 1, I apply Bayesian methods and fossil-based calibrations to molecular sequence data to construct a time-calibrated phylogeny for Lacertidae. I estimate that the family arose in the early Cenozoic, with the majority of their African radiation occurring in the Eocene and Oligocene. In Chapter 2, I describe changes in lacertid body shape across biomes and substrates, and find widespread morphological convergence in similar habitat types. I suggest that in addition to foraging demands, fluctuating and extreme climatic conditions, largely driven by precipitation and temperature, contribute to morphological convergence across independent arid-dwelling clades. Finally, I test if ancestral transitions in ecology, morphology, and rates of diversification temporally coincide with paleoclimatic events in the Cenozoic. I use High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography to characterize changes in the skull related to life in arid habitats, and apply maximum likelihood methods to test if the origins of those traits temporally coincide with significant shifts in habitat, diversification rates and climatic changes. My results show that African lacertids experienced three major peaks in diversification, accompanied by the evolution of suites of arid-adapted morphological traits. These changes coincide with climatic shifts in Africa, including the transition from closed forests to open grasslands and savanna in the late Oligocene, prior to the peak temperatures of the mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, and following the formation of the Benguela current leading to hyper-aridity in southern Africa. I conclude that deserts are important centers for reptile evolution, but that expected changes in climate due to global warming may outpace the ability of arid-dwelling species to adapt and persist in the future.

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Background: Although current molecular clock methods offer greater flexibility in modelling evolutionary events, calibration of the clock with dates from the fossil record is still problematic for many groups. Here we implement several new approaches in molecular dating to estimate the evolutionary ages of Lacertidae, an Old World family of lizards with a poor fossil record and uncertain phylogeny. Four different models of rate variation are tested in a new program for Bayesian phylogenetic analysis called TreeTime, based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. We incorporate paleontological uncertainty into divergence estimates by expressing multiple calibration dates as a range of probabilistic distributions. We also test the reliability of our proposed calibrations by exploring effects of individual priors on posterior estimates. Results: According to the most reliable model, as indicated by Bayes factor comparison, modern lacertids arose shortly after the K/T transition and entered Africa about 45 million years ago, with the majority of their African radiation occurring in the Eocene and Oligocene. Our findings indicate much earlier origins for these clades than previously reported, and we discuss our results in light of paleogeographic trends during the Cenozoic. Conclusion: This study represents the first attempt to estimate evolutionary ages of a specific group of reptiles exhibiting uncertain phylogenetic relationships, molecular rate variation and a poor fossil record. Our results emphasize the sensitivity of molecular divergence dates to fossil calibrations, and support the use of combined molecular data sets and multiple, well-spaced dates from the fossil record as minimum node constraints. The bioinformatics program used here, TreeTime, is publicly available, and we recommend its use for molecular dating of taxa faced with similar challenges.

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The life and work of the Alsatian Louis Amédée Lantz (1886-1953), a pioneer of European herpetology. A trained and professional research-chemist, the Alsatian Louis Amédée Lantz was an active and particularly dynamic herpetologist. His residence of nearly twelve years in Russia enabled him to make several field trips to regions such as the Caucasus and Iran. He always carried with him a home made telescopic net that he used to catch lizards. That net became symbolic of Lantz for most people around him. He realized significant herpetological collections mainly deposited in the Museum of the Zoology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. Soon after the Russian Revolution in 1917, he had to leave the country and stayed for a few years in France before joining England. During this period, Lantz visited the French Pyrenees and the Mediterranean border (Hyeres Islands, Bandol), enabling him to discover for the first time oviparous populations of common lizard and also to describe a new species of lizard from the French Pyrenees. Lantz is also at the origin of the discovery of unisexual reproduction by parthenogenesis in reptiles. His collaboration with the Swedish amateur herpetologist Otto Cyrén, whom he met through the German herpetologist Willy Wolterstorff, was particularly successful throughout his career. Lantz died at the age of 66 years, in Switzerland, as he was about to join the team of herpetologists at the Natural History Museum in Paris.

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Little is known about altitudinal distribution of lizards in Iran. In the present study we studied distribution pattern of members of family Lacertidae along the eleveatinal gradient in Iran. To determine environmental drivers of distribution pattern of 48 lizard species, all known valid members of family Lacertidae, along elevational gradient in Iran. Firstly, we classified Iran digital elevation model (DEM) based on 100m intervals, that resulted in 56 altitudinal bands and number of species in each band was recorded. Secondly, we extracted mean value of following variables; altitude, slop, area, solar radiation index (SRI), normalized differences vegetation index (NDVI), annual precipitation, precipitation of wettest month, precipitation of driest month precipitation, precipitation of wettest quarter, precipitation of driest quarter, and precipitation of warmest quarter, and using VIF measure correlated variables were removed. Finally, we performed a multiple regression and found that area and precipitation of warmest quarter are the most important drivers of distribution pattern of family Lacertidae along elevational gradient in Iran. General distribution pattern of family Lacertidae was unimodal and maximum number of species living from 1475 m to 1675 m.

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This work presents data on reproductive features of Ukrainian fauna Lacertidae lizards in laboratory conditions and comparative data on lizards clutches in wild nature. Terms of egg incubation of these lizards in the laboratory in a stable, relatively low temperatures can significantly exceed those in nature, which allows to obtain embryonic material with a smooth, long process of development. The most prolific representatives of different major types - green lizard (Lacerta viridis) and nimble (Lacerta agilis). Females sand lizard can be aggressive towards other females clutches, which is manifested in the destruction of nests.

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This article includes a brief outline of herpetological studies in Crimea over the past 50 years, checklists of taxa of amphibians and reptiles, and a general description of the herpetofauna of Crimea. Some formal issues for the protection of amphibians and reptiles are also considered.

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Summer counts of Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Pallas, 1771) and Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773) were conducted in the Altai Region during April – September, 2016. A sharp decline in the activity of lizards in June and July was noted, due to the high temperatures and dry weather. As a result of excavation of some burrows, lizards in a non-active state were found. The possibility of summer hibernation (estivation) of the species is considered.

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An overview of the cases of introduction (both accidental and intentional) of amphibians and reptiles in the Caucasus and Crimea is provided. The introduction cases are systemized in accordance with the goals and ways of introduction and with regards to the expected scale of the impact and its nature. No negative consequences of the introduction of amphibian and reptile species in the Crimea and Caucasus are currently observed on any of the known examples. No cases of species naturalization, which the “invasion” term can be applied to, have been revealed. The importance of allochthonous populations as experimental sites to study microevolutionary processes and ecological adaptations of the species in new environmental conditions is discussed.

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The background species of the saurofauna of the southeastern periphery of the Tersk Sands in the early 1980s were Phrynocephalus guttatus (Gmelin, 1789), Eremias velox (Pallas, 1771) and Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773). Research conducted in 1983–1984 showed that each of them had different preferred biotopes: Phr. guttatus – blown sands, E. arguta – fixed sands, E. velox – scattered shrubbery. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, Phr. guttatus completely disappeared in the study area on the southeastern periphery of the Tersk Sands, and after 2008 - E. velox. Currently, the territory is inhabited by E. arguta and the widespread Lacerta strigata Eichwald, 1831. The rapid changes in the composition of the saurofauna can be explained primarily by the strict biotopic confinement of lizards in conditions of total steppification of the Terek sands. The transformation of landscapes brought stenobiont species, in the conditions of the Eastern Pre-Caucasus psammophile species of Turanian genesis, to the brink of extinction and created favorable conditions for eurybiont and/ or steppe forms. If existing trends continue, we can expect the complete disappearance of such obligate psammophiles as Phr. mystaceus (Pallas, 1776) and Phr. guttatus in the Terek Sands. They may be followed by Trapelus sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814) and E. velox. In this case, biotopic preferences of a species determine their current and prospective sociological status.

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Some data are presented on the ecology of two lizard species: Eremias velox and E. arguta inhabiting the so-called Ciscaucasian area of the USSR. Both species prefer sandy areas, but E. arguata being more eurytopic, is more tolerant to the anthropogenic disturbing effects in the Kalmykian region. Activity diagrams of both species have two maxima during the day. Beetles seem to be the dominant items in the diet of both species.

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The albumins from 41 species of the family Lacertidae representing a substantial part of genera as well as infrageneric groups of the collective genus Lacerta s.l. were investigated by means of the MCF technique. The data allow a chronological estimation of the most important radiation events and their correlation with paleogeographical facts. Our results are in remarkable contradiction to the phylogeny presented by ARNOLD (1989a) based mainly on morphological characters. The most important phylogenetic relationships are: 1. The genera Gallona and Psammodromus are already isolated from the other taxa since the Oligocene. We assess these main branches as subfamilies Gallotiinae and Lacertinae. 2. Lacerta s.str. and Lacerta subgenus Zootoca form the sister group of the remaining Lacertinae. 3. A colonization of Africa in the Lower Miocene has led to a separation in two lines, with mainly Eurasian and African members respectively. 4. ARNOLD`S (I.e.) `Ethiopian and advanced Saharo-Eurasian clade` proved to be a paraphyletic unit, one group of genera being more closely related to European taxa. All techniques applied to the systematics of Lacertidae hitherto are critically discussed. An area-time- hypothesis concerning the phylogeny of Lacertidae is presented. Key words: Lacertidae, phylogeny of; Gallotiinae subfam. nov.; Lacertinae subfam. nov.; micro complement fixation; albumin evolution.

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The family Lacertidae encompasses more than 250 species distributed in the Palearctis, Ethiopis and Orientalis. Lacertids have been subjected in the past to several morphological and molecular studies to establish their phylogeny. However, the problems of convergent adaptation in morphology and of excessively variable molecular markers have hampered the establishment of well supported deeper phylogenetic relationships. Particularly the adaptations to xeric environments have often been used to establish a scenario for the origin and radiation of major lineages within lacertids. Here we present a molecular phylogenetic study based on two nuclear marker genes and representatives of 37 lacertid genera and distinct species groups (as in the case of the collective genus Lacerta). Roughly 1600 bp of the nuclear rag1 and c-mos genes were sequenced and analyzed. While the results provide good support to the hitherto suggested main subfamilies of Gallotiinae (Gallotia and Psammodromus), Eremiainae and Lacertinae [Harris, D.J., Arnold, E.N., Thomas, R.H., 1998. Relationships of lacertid lizards (Reptilia: Lacertidae) estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphology. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 265, 1939–1948], they also suggest unexpected relationships. In particular, the oriental genus Takydromus, previously considered the sister-group to the three subfamilies, is nested within Lacertinae. Moreover, the genera within the Eremiainae are further divided into two groups, roughly corresponding to their respective geographical distributions in the Ethiopian and the Saharo-Eurasian ranges. The results support an independent origin of adaptations to xeric conditions in different subfamilies. The relationships within the subfamily Lacertinae could not be resolved with the markers used. The species groups of the collective genus Lacerta show a bush-like topology in the inferred Bayesian tree, suggesting rapid radiation. The composition of the subfamilies Eremiainae and Lacertinae as well as their phylogeography are discussed.

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The paper describes the history of biogeographic views on the herpetofauna of both Dagestan and the Caucasus as a whole. The species are grouped into eight zoogeographic groups on the basis of our de- tailed chorological analysis. Mesophilous and xerophilous refuges of the Dagestan herpetofauna are de- scribed. Our herpeto-geographical subdivision of the territory is given. The territory of Dagestan is lo- cated in the Palaearctic subkingdom of Holarctic kingdom and divided between two areas, namely, the Turanian and Mediterranean ones. The boundary between the regions is the junction of the northern foot- hills and plains of the Eastern Caucasus. A possible reconstruction of the regional herpetofauna genesis is considered.

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Aim Body size is instrumental in influencing animal physiology, morphology, ecology and evolution, as well as extinction risk. I examine several hypotheses regarding the influence of body size on lizard evolution and extinction risk, assessing whether body size influences, or is influenced by, species richness, herbivory, island dwelling and extinction risk. Location World-wide. Methods I used literature data and measurements of museum and live specimens to estimate lizard body size distributions. Results I obtained body size data for 99% of the world`s lizard species. The body size–frequency distribution is highly modal and right skewed and similar distributions characterize most lizard families and lizard assemblages across biogeographical realms. There is a strong negative correlation between mean body size within families and species richness. Herbivorous lizards are larger than omnivorous and carnivorous ones, and aquatic lizards are larger than non-aquatic species. Diurnal activity is associated with small body size. Insular lizards tend towards both extremes of the size spectrum. Extinction risk increases with body size of species for which risk has been assessed. Main conclusions Small size seems to promote fast diversification of disparate body plans. The absence of mammalian predators allows insular lizards to attain larger body sizes by means of release from predation and allows them to evolve into the top predator niche. Island living also promotes a high frequency of herbivory, which is also associated with large size. Aquatic and nocturnal lizards probably evolve large size because of thermal constraints. The association between large size and high extinction risk, however, probably reflects a bias in the species in which risk has been studied.

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Aim Temperature influences most components of animal ecology and life history – but what kind of temperature? Physiologists usually examine the influence of body temperatures, while biogeographers and macroecologists tend to focus on environmental temperatures. We aim to examine the relationship between these two measures, to determine the factors that affect lizard body temperatures and to test the effect of both temperature measures on lizard life history. Location World-wide. Methods We used a large (861 species) global dataset of lizard body temperatures, and the mean annual temperatures across their geographic ranges to examine the relationships between body and mean annual temperatures.We then examined factors influencing body temperatures, and tested for the influence of both on ecological and life-history traits while accounting for the influence of shared ancestry. Results Body temperatures and mean annual temperatures are uncorrelated. However, accounting for activity time (nocturnal species have low body temperatures), use of space (fossorial and semi-aquatic species are ‘colder’), insularity (mainland species are ‘hotter’) and phylogeny, the two temperatures are positively correlated. High body temperatures are only associated with larger hatchlings and increased rates of biomass production. Annual temperatures are positively correlated with clutch frequency and annual longevity, and negatively correlated with clutch size, age at first reproduction and longevity. Main conclusions Lizards with low body temperatures do not seem to have ‘slower’ life-history attributes than species with high body temperatures. The longer seasons prevalent in warm regions, and physiological processes that operate while lizards are inactive (but warm enough), make environmental temperatures better predictors of lizard life-history variation than body temperatures. This surprisingly greater effect of environmental temperatures on lizard life histories hints that global warming may have a profound influence on lizard ecology and evolution.

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The distribution of steppe-runners in the surveyed region depends on the presence of sandy substrates. Eremias arguta inhabits sandy steppes with low vegetation. The northern distribution limit of steppe- runners in the south of European Russia lies about 50 – 53°N. The morphological character of steppe- runners there shows both cline and discrete variations. The cline variations are independent in the Don and Volga basins, which supports the idea of past distribution ways of the species. A gradient of discrete characters also occurs in the Don and Volga interfluves. There are some populations in the Taman penin- sula and Daghestan which are characterized by a unique combination of characters. Some individuals from the right-side Volga-river populations are characterized by a morphology intermediate between E. a. arguta and E. a. deserti, because of the intergradation zone adjacency. Substrate «loose sand» and «im- movable sand» forms in the Middle Don-river populations were discovered.

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The etymology of the reptiles, especially the lizards of Iran has not been completely presented in other published works. Iran is a very active geographic area for any animals, and more especially for lizards, due to its wide range deserts and ecology. We have attempted to ascertain, as much as possible, the construction of the Latin binomials of all Iranian lizard species. We believe that a review of these names is instructive, not only in codifying many aspects of the biology of the lizards, but in presenting a historical overview of collectors and taxonomic work in Iran and Middle East region. We have listed all recorded lizards of Iran according to the order of the scientific names in the book of Anderson, The Lizards of Iran. All lizard species and types have been grouped under their proper Families, and then they have been alphabetically ordered based on their scientific binominal nomenclature. We also examined numerous published works in addition to those included in the original papers presenting each binomial.

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The dissertation presents the results of long-term studies of the dynamics of the number, spatial and age-sex structure of populations of three main species of lizards of semi-deserts of the southeastern part of the Lower Volga region: Eremias arguta deserti Gmel., 1788, Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus Pall., 1776 and Phrynocephalus guttatus guttatus Gmel., 1789. In all species, a decrease in numbers was revealed up to complete extinction (Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus Pall., 1776). The cause of population changes were successional processes directed towards the development of steppe phytocenosis. The succession led to a gradual increase in the projective coverage, overgrowing of ecological corridors and a change in the tiering of the plant community. It has been reliably shown that changes in phytocenosis are associated with an increase in the total amount of precipitation in this area over the past decade.

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The tail autotomy in the population of steppe runners (Eremias arguta deserti (Gmelin, 1789)) living in semi-deserts of the southeastern part of the Lower Volga region was studied. The proportion of lizards with the signs of tail autotomy was used as an indicator of predation pressure. It was found that the number of lizard individuals with autotomized (regenerated) tails increased throughout the research period (2017–2019). The correlation between the total abundance of lizards and the number of individuals with tail autotomy exhibits a direct and statistically insignificant dependence. The data obtained suggest that predators are low abundant, both in the study area and in the surrounding territories, and, thus, they have no considerable influence on the size of the population of lizards. No autotomy as a result of intra- and interspecific contacts was recorded. In the spring field seasons, the lizard individuals with autotomized (regenerated) tails were mainly mature males and females. In the autumn periods, they were exclusively underyearlings. In the population under consideration, lizards with the signs of tail autotomy were more frequent among the migrating individuals. There were no quantitative differences in the presence of tail autotomy between males and females.

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The investigation in the population structure of the western subspecies of the multicolored lizard (Eremias arguta deserti Gmelin, 1789) was carried out in semi-deserts of the Lower Volga region. The purpose of the study was to find out the features of the population morphometric data. The main research methods: measuring the length of the trunk and tail with an accuracy of up to a millimeter, statistical data processing using the Kolmogorov – Smirnov test in the STATISTICA 12 program. Statistical analysis showed the presence of sexual dimorphism in the population in terms of body parameters: the length of the tail of males is significantly greater than that of females. The calculation of the statistical significance of the differences be- tween the average length of the trunk and the length of the tail confirmed that males and females have longer tails than the trunk. Yet sexually mature males and females do not differ signifi- cantly from each other in terms of body size. At the same time, females have a certain variability of morphometric data, which serves as one of the main indicators of intra-population variability.

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One of the aspects of studies of micropopulations of (Eremias arguta deserti Gmelin, 1789) and (Phrynocephalus guttatus guttatus Gmelin, 1789) in the conditions of the southeastern part of the Lower Volga region was the observation of inter-seasonal fluctuations in body weight of individuals. Males of Eremias arguta deserti are consistently heavier in the spring than females. In the autumn periods, the results turned out to be contradictory and do not make it possible to conclude which individuals of which sex have the greatest mass. Statistical processing of materials using the Kruskal — Walli’s criterion (H) did not reveal significant differences in Eremias arguta deserti when comparing the mass of all females and males both for all periods and separately in spring and autumn periods. Phrynocephalus g. guttatus also showed no statistical significance when comparing all males and females for the entire period. However, the results obtained when comparing between females and males during the 2018 season, as well as when comparing females of different years, were statistically significant. In addition, the body weight of fingerlings of both groups, between the autumn seasons of 2017 and 2018, revealed statistical significance. Individuals of both Phrynocephalus g. guttatus and Eremias arguta deserti steadily gain body weight, despite the slowdown or complete stop of the growth of individuals in the former and autotomy in the latter. Regeneration of the tail or its absence obviously affects the growth of the trunk of Eremias arguta deserti.

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New record of 3 species of amphibians (Hynobius keyserlingii, Bufo viridis, Rana chensinensis) and 9 species of reptiles (Teratoscincus przewalskii, Alsophylax pipiens, Gymnodactylus elongatus, Eremias argus, Eremias arguta potanini, Eremias vermiculata, Lacerta vivipara, Ery tataricus, Coluber spinalis) in Mongolia over the last 20 years have been reported.

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From the viewpoint of evolution, the classes of amphibians and reptiles could be considered as relicts, and because they are poikilothermic animals, it’s very difficult for these species to live under the dry and cold climatic conditions in Mongolia. Even species diversity is poor, Mongolian herpetological composition is unique, highly adopted to the country’s harsh climate and originated a long time ago. In Mongolia, 6 species of amphibians belong to four genera, four families and two orders and the recorded 21 species of reptiles belong to 13 genera in 6 families of 2 suborders.

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60 species of reptiles live in the Azerbaijan Republic. From them 17 species, or 28.3% are spread on Absheron Peninsula. These species belong to 3 orders, 13 families, 22 genera. Lizards are reptiles belonging to the order Squamata. On Absheron peninsula lizards inhabit a wide variety of biotopes, from garden habitats to sand dunes. Most species of Absheron are diurnal, but Caspian bent-toed geckos comprise a night time fauna in many habitats. Many species, can shed their tails in order to escape from predators. Lizards have many morphological adaptations that suit them to the substrates they inhabit, from specialized toe-pads in vertical rock-face dwellers to fringed-toes in loose-sand runners. Modern scientific study of lizards in Absheron began with the field natural history studies of E.P. Menetriem and E.E. Eichwald in the 19th century.

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The global struggle to conserve as many species as possible with limited resources requires an improvement of our knowledge on the distribution of biodiversity. In Iran, the state of knowledge is poor for most groups of organisms, except few vertebrate groups and vascular plants. Reptiles are one of the best known, most diverse vertebrate groups in Iran, with a high rate of endemism (ca. 29%), but distribution patterns and related environmental drivers remain poorly understood. In the present study, based on a large publicly available dataset, we use general additive modelling (GAM) to identify explanatory variables for species richness of reptiles in Iran. Results indicate heterogeneity parameters (range +entropy) as the variables with the highest explanatory values. Based on the grid cells of the predicted environmental richness, using hotspot analysis, we suggest seven hotspots of reptile diversity (HRDs) across the country. Our results corroborate the previously recognized HRDs and detect three additional ones, located alongside the major mountain ranges around the central deserts plateau, particularly in the Zagros Mountains. Four of the largest HRDs (ca. 90%) situate within the Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus global biodiversity hotspot. In addition, our results reveal a large gap between identified HRDs and the current network of protected areas (PAs) in the country. While three of the detected HRDs in this study are partially touched (ca. 18%) by the PA network, overall, these areas are only covered by less than 10%. Therefore, the effectiveness of the current PAs for the protection of the reptile diversity of Iran is questionable.

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Steppe-runner Eremias arguta (Pallas 1773) is one of the most widespread species of the Asian racerunners (genus Eremias) inhabiting steppes, semi-deserts and deserts of Eastern Europe, Middle and Central Asia. Several subspecies were traditionally recognized, however, their morphological variability is so high that the delimitation and establishing of formal taxonomical status of some populations was always problematic. The metric and meristic morphological characters of E. arguta from 12 populations of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia were analyzed using different multivariate statistic methods and preliminary results of molecular analysis of mtDNA cytochrome b gene. The studied populations are clustered in five groups. Based on both morphological and molecular characters, the southernmost populations from Uzbekistan and Chimkent region (Kazakhstan) form a clearly separated group E. a. uzbekistanica, quite different from all other subspecies. The populations from the Ili River valley (southeastern Kazakhstan and northwestern China) were formerly considered as transitional ones between E. a. arguta — E. a. uzbekistanica or E. a. potarcini, but in fact they represent a separate form. The easternmost samples assigned as `E. a. potanini` are deeply nested within E. a. arguta cluster and seem to be a local form with clinal variation of morphological characters.

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Here we present the main results of our 2008 field research held in the south-western Mongolia by a herpetological team of the Russian – Mongolian biological expedition. 13 reptile species belonging to five families and eight genera have been recorded. Phrynocephalus versicolor was the most widespread and abundant lizard species. Eremias przewalskii and E. multiocellata were also common in semi-fixed sands subjected to considerable over-grazing (Dundgov’, Umnegov’). Several new localities for Ph.versicolor hispida and E. m. multiocellata and E. m. reticulata are reported. Cyrtopodion elongatum was found in the Nogondov (=Nogon-Dovon) valley located in 300 km northwards from the previously known occurrence of this species. This valley inhabited by Teratoscincus przewalskii, Eremias vermiculata, and Eryx tataricus can be considered as the most western part of the Trans-Altai Gobi Desert adjacent to the Mongolian Dzungaria. The actual status of the C. elongatum populations seems to be out of concern because, according to our night observations, the population density exceeds 20 ind per 500 m². The taxonomical status of Ph. v. hispida and E. m. reticulata is discussed, and the specific status of racerunners collected in the area of their sympatry in the Hovd aimag was confirmed. Some coloration features of living adults and juveniles individuals of the lizards (especially, Eremias and Phrynocephalus species) are reported.

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This study provides distribution data for 12 species of reptiles in the Southern Bug eco-corridor located within the steppe zone, Mykolaiv Oblast (province), Ukraine. We compiled 935 records from published literature (324), from public databases (68), and from 12 field surveys we made in 2016–2020 (543). All records were mapped on to a grid of 10×10 km, representing the 294 cells of the studied area. We present new distributional data for Podarcis tauricus. For all the other species, our records add new localities that fall within areas where these reptiles were previously reported. Species richness and Shannon’s H’ index show that herpetofauna diversity was higher in the areas along the Southern Bug River. The maximum number of records within a single cell was 118 (for 10 species) in this oblast. Also the high number of identified reptile chorotypes (nine) within the Mykolaiv Oblast revealed that southern Ukraine is an important zoogeographical territory in Europe. These data provide the basis for future biogeographical and ecological studies and conservation priorities.

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Lacertinae is one of the three lacertid lizard subfamilies with a geographical distribution confined to the Palaearctic. Several past attempts to reconstruct its phylogeny resulted in unresolved bush-like topologies. We address the question of whether the lack of resolution is due to insufficient data or whether this lack reflects a rapid succession of speciation events. We analyzed four partial and one complete gene sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, totalling roughly 3600 bp. We included 29 species representing all 19 genera suggested in recent revision of Lacertinae [Arnold, E.N., Arribas, O., Carranza, S., 2007. Systematics of the palaearctic and oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa 1430, 1–86]. The resulting phylogeny, first, corroborates monophyly at the genus level for the suggested genera, as well as the finding that Atlantolacerta andreanskyi, until recently part of Lacertinae, belongs to the subfamily Eremiadinae. Second, we find that increasing the sequence length and combining multiple nuclear and mitochondrial sequences did not resolve the polytomy, suggesting that the inferred topology indicates a multiple cladogenesis within a short geological period, rather than a methodical artefact. Divergence time estimates, based on previous estimates of several node ages, range from 13.9 to 14.9 million years for the radiation event, however with very broad confidence interval. To associate the radiation with a narrower geological time we consider palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic data, assuming that the Lacertinae probably evolved in Central Europe andWAsia after the collision of Africa and Eurasia. We suggest that this radiation may date to the late Langhian (ca. 14–13.5 million years) when geological events caused abrupt changes in regional water–land distribution and climate, offering a window of distinct conditions.

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Many animals display complex colour patterns that comprise several adjacent, often contrasting colour patches. Combining patches of complementary colours increases the overall conspicuousness of the complex pattern, enhancing signal detection. Therefore, selection for conspicuousness may act not only on the design of single colour patches, but also on their combination. Contrasting long- and short-wavelength colour patches are located on the ventral and lateral surfaces of many lacertid lizards. As the combination of long- and short-wavelength-based colours generates local chromatic contrast, we hypothesized that selection may favour the co-occurrence of lateral and ventral contrasting patches, resulting in complex colour patterns that maximize the overall conspicuousness of the signal. To test this hypothesis we performed a comparative phylogenetic study using a categorical colour classification based on spectral data and descriptive information on lacertid coloration collected from the literature. Our results demonstrate that conspicuous ventral (long wavelength-based) and lateral (short wavelength-based) colour patches co-occur throughout the lacertid phylogeny more often than expected by chance, especially in the subfamily Lacertini. These results suggest that selection promotes the evolution of the complex pattern rather than the acquisition of a single conspicuous colour patch, possibly due to the increased conspicuousness caused by the combination of colours with contrasting spectral properties.

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Materials on the spatial structure of the lizard Eremias arguta deserti (Gmelin, 1789) were collected in the sandy semi-deserts of the Astrakhan region during the 2017-2019 field seasons. Three-year studies at the level of intra-population grouping show a gradual reduction in the population size from season to season. During the mating season, the spatial structure of the grouping is first transformed from a system of overlapping individual plots of males and females (2017) into a system of isolated territories of sexual partners (2018), and then into a small grouping of isolated home ranges of females (2019). This is due to the fact that lizards are dispersed in the area of decreasing inherent open biotopes. The decrease is also typical for the nomadic part of the grouping, which confirms the general decline in the population in the surrounding area. The group is gradually ceasing to reproduce, as evidenced by the absence of immature individuals in all spring seasons and a decrease in the number of current year’s young at the end of summer 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The main reason for the described process of population degradation is a change in the biotope characteristic of the species – the overgrowth of sand massifs, which has been observed in recent years in many areas of desert and semi-desert ecosystems. Observations show that the negative consequences of biotope overgrowth are the deterioration of conditions for movement and communication. The measurement of the projective cover and plant species diversity of phytocenosis, carried out on sample geobotanical plots in 2011, 2014 and 2017, indicates that the territory is being transformed into steppe. The main reason for steppification is the increase in total precipitation over the past decade from 2010 to 2019. The latter is confirmed by a positive correlation between the increase in the projective cover and the total amount of precipitation over this period.

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Studies on the sex-age structure in a population of the multi-colored lizard (Eremias arguta deserti Gmelin1788) was carried out at the level of the elementary intra population group. Research area: sandy semi-desertsnear the village Dosang, Astrakhan Region. The groups’ definition was based on observations of the behavior,the published information about the species’ sex-age structure, confirmed by autopsy, and a statistical anal-ysis. The data obtained show the presence of five sex-age groups in the Spring population: immature individ-uals, half-adult males and females, and 2-year old mature males and females. In addition, according to theirsize, there were animals possibly older than 2 years, but they were singular. The September population of themulti-colored lizard was likewise divided into five age groups: juveniles, half-adult individuals of both sexes,and a small number of 1-year old mature individuals of both sexes. The Autumn intra-population group wasnot numerous, because by that time most of the adult animals had gone for hibernation. In Spring, the groupof semi-adult lizards was 7.2 times smaller than that of adults. In Autumn, the number of juveniles was2.1 times higher than in adults. In Spring, the sex ratio among the adult animals was close to 1 : 1, amongsemi-adults the females predominated numerically, while both in Spring and Autumn the females prevailedamongst the half-adults.

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Steppe racerunner, Eremias (Eremias) arguta, is one of the most widespread species of the Asian racerunners (genus Er-emias). Several subspecies were traditionally recognized however, morphological variability is so high that delimitation of these subspecies was always problematic. Here we present a phylogenetic hypothesis for this species based on cyto-chrome b sequences (55 samples from 35 populations, 900 bp partial sequences), infer it biogeography and the revise its subspecific structure. Six major phylogenetic lineages were revealed. The southernmost populations (E. a. uzbekistanica) from Uzbekistan form a clade together with the Issyk-Kul Lake subspecies (E. a. darevskii) based on both molecular and morphological evidence. Within more northern populations, there is a split between populations from Northern Caucasus, Europe and Western Kazakhstan (E. a. deserti) and Central and Eastern Kazakhstan populations (E. a. arguta). Transcau-casian (E. a. transcaucasica) steppe racerunners are grouped with Middle Asian populations. Finally, the easternmost samples, assigned to “E. a. potanini” are nested within the E. a. arguta clade. Populations from the Ili River Valley form a separate lineage sister to the clade joining all other E. arguta lineages and might represent a yet undescribed taxon. Spe-cies distribution in relation to historical biogeography of Middle Asia is discussed.

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An updated checklist of the herpetofauna of Iran is presented based on records of amphibian and reptile species whose presence has been confirmed in Iran as a result of extensive field expeditions, examination of herpetological collections, literature review, and personal communications from researchers. The herpetofauna of Iran consists of 13 species and five subspecies of frogs and toads belonging to five genera and four families, eight species of salamanders belonging to four genera and two families, nine species and six subspecies of turtles, terrapins and tortoises belonging to nine genera and six families, one species of crocodile, one species of amphisbaenian, more than 125 species of lizards belonging to 36 genera and eight families as well as 79 species of snakes belonging to 37 genera and six families

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Die Echsenfauna Dagestans (südöstlicher Nordkaukasus, Russland) umfaßt 17 Arten, welche neun Gattungen in fünf Familien angehören (Gekkonidae - l, Agamidae - 4, Anguidae - 2, Scincidae – l und Lacertidae - 9 Arten). Für jede Art wurden detaillierte Verbreitungskarten mit Katastern in Dagestan (50 300 km2) erstellt. Einige Angaben zu den Habitaten, zur Häufigkeit sowie über die lokale Arealdynamik werden ebenfalls mitgeteilt.

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This is a short report about a method which could help to save life of reptiles suffering by dystocia. The author describes how he pressed out an egg from a Jeweled Lacerta and a Common Chameleon with only his fingers.

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Im Jahre 1987 erhielt ich aus Kasachstan sechs Eremias arguta. Diese Art ist neben Eremias velox die einzige ihrer Gattung, deren Verbreitungsgebiet auch den europäischen Kontinent erreicht. Das Vorkommen erstreckt sich vom Nordosten Rumäniens über den Süden der europäischen Sowjetunion, das sowjetische Zentralasien bis nach NW-China und die SW-Mongolei. Im Süden werden Transkaukasien und der nördlichste Iran erreicht. In der Türkei und in NO-China kommt die Art nicht vor.

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Fifty-three species of reptiles occur in Turkmenistan, of which 25 inhabit lowlands and 28 occur in plains and mountains. The species composition of reptiles in seven natural regions of Turkmenistan is discussed; the fauna of the sandy and clay desert is the richest. Seven species of reptiles`-occur in high density (from 10 to 71 per hectare), 30 species are frequent (1 to 10 per ha.) and 16 species are rare (0.2 to 1 per ha.). The fauna i3 subjected to a zoogeographical analysis.

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We present an annotated checklist for a total 241 reptiles and 22 amphibians including 5 frogs, 9 toads, 7 newts and salamanders, 1 crocodile, 1 worm lizard, 148 lizards, 79 snakes and 12 turtles and tortoises, includes the most scientific literature up to August 2014 and also based on several field surveys conducted in different Provinces of Iran from 2009 to 2014. We present an up-to-dated checklist of reptiles and amphibians in Iran. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of all amphibians and reptiles of Iran. This checklist includes all recognized named taxa, English names for classes, orders, families, species, subspecies along with Persian names for species, including indication of native and introduced species. For the first time we report two non-native introduced reptiles from natural habitats of Iran. Of the total 22 species of amphibians in Iran, 6 (27.2%) are endemic and of the total 241 species of reptiles, 55 (22.8%) are endemic. Of the 22 amphibians species in Iran, 3 (13%) are Critically Endangered, 2 (9%) are Vulnerable and of the 241 reptile species 3 (1.2%) are Critically Endangered, 4 (1.6%) are Endangered and 10 (4.1%) are Vulnerable. Accordingly, this paper combines significant aspects of taxonomy, common names, conservation status and distribution of the Iranian herpetofauna.

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The herpetological map presented in this paper shows the distribution and abundance of the reptiles in Turkmenistan. The country is divided into 17 complexes and the 84 species and subspecies found in Turmkmeistan are listed as occurring in mountains, plains, or both.

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The latest changes in the taxonomy of amphibians and reptiles are analyzed in the work, among them, in particular, toads, frogs, tortoises, geckoes, agamas, lacertids, boas and colubrids. A new list is published, which provides information for 100 species and subspecies: 6 species of amphibians and 94 species of reptiles (6 turtles, 58 lizards, 30 snakes). The conservation status of reptiles in Turkmenistan was revised according to the IUCN assessments.

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This book shows a comprehensive picture of the reptiles, excluding snakes, living in Europe, North Africa, Middle and Near East and Central Asia. The bulk of the book is an annotated checklist and a distributional atlas of approx 500 species of lizards, crocodiles, turtles and terrapins, and amphisbaenians, living in the Western Palearctic. Information on distribution, subspecies, chorotype and main references are provided for each species, as well as 226 colour maps showing the global distribution of the species on a grid of one degree. For each species map the bibliographic and original sources (more than 850 sources are listed) are indicated. A further 83 maps show the distribution of all genera and main species groups of Palearctic reptiles. Beside the checklist and the atlas, in some additional chapters the following arguments are treated: Materials and methods; status of knowledge on the Palearctic fauna; composition of the Western Palearctic reptile fauna (including a statement on biodiversity and species richness); descriptive biogeography (including a discussion on the Palearctic region boundaries based on reptile distribution and the herpeto-geographic sectors of the Western Palearctic); conservation status. A list of more than 730 references quoted in the text and high quality colour plates including photos of the most of the supraspecific taxa living in the study area completes the book.

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We present a comprehensive summary of the distribution of the lizards of Iran accompanied by an annotated checklist. The updated maps of distribution of all 146 species of 41 genera of 11 families are based on all available bibliographic records, catalogues of museum collections and our own field observations. The final dataset used for the distribution maps contains 8525 georeferenced records and cover 41% of the country when plotted on a grid of 0.25° × 0.25° resolution. The dataset is publicly accessible through GBIF portal (http://www.gbif.org/dataset/7db4f705-61ae-4c6e-9de2-06674e7d46b2). Following the latest biogeographic division of the country, ~53% of the species (76 species) inhabit the Iranian Province, ~41% (60 species) the Western Asian mountain transition zone, ~9% (13 species) the Turanian Province, and ~18% (27 species) the Arabian Province. In addition, ~2% (3 species) reach Iran from the Indo-Malay biogeographic region and ~2% (3 species) are believed to have been introduced to Iran by humans. Endemic species (46) represent ~32% of the known species diversity. The most species-rich family of lizards in Iran is Lacertidae with 47 species, followed by Gekkonidae (41), Agamidae (18), Scincidae (15), Phyllodactylidae (10), Sphaerodactylidae (4), Eublepharidae and Uromastycidae (3), Anguidae and Varanidae (2), and Trogonophidae with one representative.

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The list of recent taxonomic and nomenclatural changes concerning Romanian amphibian and reptile species is presented in the light of new phylogenetic results. The status and distribution of some subspecies which inhabit Romania is discussed. The goals of contemporary conservation are revised. Also a list of used Romanian material in recent phylogeny studies is provided.

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Research on the taxonomy of European amphibians and reptiles has increased noticeably over the last few decades, indicating the need for recognition of new species and the cancellation of others. This paper provides a critical review of recent changes and draws up a tentative species list.

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A nearly complete frontal bone of a racerunner lizard (Lacertidae: Eremias) is described from the Lower Pleistocene deposits of the Taurida cave – a famous site of fossil vertebrate fauna in Crimea, north Black Sea region. A comparative study of the frontals in the genus Eremias by micro-CT highlighted a few diagnostic features and suggested that the Eremias from the Taurida cave cannot be attributed to any modern species, including Eremias arguta, which inhabited Crimea currently. The specimen from the Taurida cave represents the first Early Pleistocene record of the genus and the oldest European record of the genus to date. Our data suggests that Eremias dispersed into Crimea already in the Early Pleistocene, not in the Holocene as was suggested earlier. The past range of Eremias in Crimea was wider than today and included midland areas. This record extends the distribution range of Eremias during the Pleistocene.

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Elements of the herpetofauna are in the author`s opinion of great importance for the zoogeographical division of the Palaearctic region. It is suggested that this region be divided into the following four subregions: 1/ arctic, 2/ boreal Euro-Siberian, 3/ bo- real Himalayan-Manchurian and 4/ Mediterranean-Central-Asiatic.

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The results of our chromosome studies on Eremias arguta from the Samara and Saratov regions are presented. The diploid set of E. arguta from the Volga populations surveyed has been found to include 38 chromosomes: 2n = 38, NF = 38. The female and male karyotype structures are 2n = 35M + 3m and 2n = 36M + 2m, respectively. The karyotype of E. arguta from the Saratov and Samara regions is shown to be similar to the earlier described chromosome sets of the subspecies E. a. deserti. At the same time, the Saratov E. a. deserti differ from E. arguta from the Samara region by the number of pairs of NO-carrying chromosomes, which in the Saratov E. arguta are found on the 2nd, 4th, and 7th chromosome pairs, and in the Samara ones – on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 9th pairs.

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The modern distribution of Eremias arguta is considered. The species is shown to be represented by stable populations on a vast territory of the Volga region (Saratov and Samara regions) at present, its habitat there is mosaic and the abundance is comparable with that at the central part of the whole habitat. In view of the gradual average annual temperature elevation trend within the territory under study and some stabilization of moisture indices, a decrease in abundance and a shift south of the northern habitat boundary should be expected. Since the peripheral settlements of E. arguta in the Volga region are of separate nature, the species is recommended to enter the Red Books of the Saratov and Samara regions.

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In August 2007 the author recorded the Eremias arguta specimens occurrring on the first row of high dunes from the coastal area of the central part of grindul Chituc. On the respective transact of about 3,2 km length there were present 371 individuals of Eremias arguta, representing an average of one lizard at every 8,5 m (roughly). On the respective, stripelike and very narrow habitat type (having a total surface of about 12,650 m2) the average density of the Eremias arguta was 293.3 specimens / ha.

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The present paper shows details on the structure of the GIS-based data-base created in order to carry out accurate analyzes of the spatial distribution on national level of the species belonging to the Lacertidae family. The results of the data processing shows that there are 1015 records (on a total number of 613 local administrative territories) of Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis), 775 records (on a total number of 446 local administrative territories) of Green Lizards (L. viridis), 65 records (on a total number of 30 local administrative territories) of Balkan Green Lizards (L. trilineata), 66 records (on a total number of 38 local administrative territories) of Meadow Lizards (L. praticola), 440 records (on a total number of 226 local administrative territories) of Viviparous Lizards (L. vivipara), 328 records (on a total number of 202 local administrative territories) of Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis), 288 records (on a total number of 126 local administrative territories) of Balkan Wall Lizards (P. taurica) and 34 records (on a total number of 12 local administrative territories) of Steppe Runners (Eremias arguta) made in Romania up to the year 2007.

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By the PAAG electrophoretic spectra of Coomassi-stained 61-73 bands from 4 “tissues” (heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, liver proteins) for each of 17 specimens representing at least 3 or 4 species, (Eremias vermiculata Blanf., E. przewalskii Str., E. sp. and E. multiocellata Gunther) were compared.Most of the specimens were collected in Mongolia. Their tree, based on several measures of genetic distances, showed the order of the species listed above, with E. sp., the closest to the point of divergency, and situated between E. przewalskii and the specimen of E. multiocellata from several localities and biotypes. The genetic similarity of the biotypes of the last species is discussed in regard with other data on the body size and proportion, pholidosis, coloration.

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An analysis of literature, reports, collections and the authors` data on the distri- bution of amphibians and reptiles in the Western Tian Shan (Uzbekistan) has been made. The list consists of nineteen reptile and two amphibian species. Distribution maps of the records are presented. Inhabiting in this territory of some more species is expected.

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The karyotype of Eremias przewalskii from Minqin county,Gansu province was examined using medulla cells and the colchicines-hypotonic air dry technique.Result showed that the karyotype formula of E.przewalskii is 2n=38=36I+2m with NF=38,belonging to type of Eremias argus,consistent with the karyotypes of genus Eremias and family Lacertidae. On the basis of reviewing the reported karyological data of Eremias, the evolution of karyotypes in this genus is discussed.

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In the present study, relationships among all Chinese species of lacertids in the genus Eremias, E. velox, E. grammica, E. vermiculata, E. przewalskii, E. multiocellata, E. arguta, E. brenchleyi, and E. argus, were assessed using 574 aligned base positions of 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA sequences from 103 individuals collected from 28 populations. Three kinds of phylogenetic tree (MP, ME, and NJ) were reconstructed and were found to be concordant. All eight species well form a monophyletic group. The resulting genetic distance between E. przewalskii and E. multiocellata is surprisingly low, only 0.008. The result could be due to introgression of the mtDNA molecule. All Eastern-Asia lacertids except E. vermiculata grouped together and formed a monophyletic clade. E. vermiculata are closely related to E. arguta, a Central-Asia species. E. brenchleyi and E. argus formed a monophyletic clade as the sister group of E. multiocellata. The Central-Asia species (E. arguta, E. grammica and E. velox) originated from Central-Asia and Eastern-Asia species (the rest) from China. The phylogenetic relationships among E. grammica, E. velox, E. arguta-vermiculata, E. argus-brenchleyi, and E. multiocellata-przewalskii are unclear in the study, which needs more comprehensive taxonomic sampling from Western Asia and Europe, and additional genetic evidence to resolve it.

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The paper deals with the study of the comparative osteological collection of extant amphibians and reptiles deposited in the Department of Palaeontology of the National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine. The collection has been recently catalogued and here is described for the first time. It consists of 407 storage units represented by complete or fragmented dry skeletons, skulls, and isolated bones belonging to 104 species of 65 genera, 23 families, and five orders (Caudata, Anura, Crocodilia, Testudines, Squamata). The collection also includes bones of 12 species currently listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine: Salamandra salanandra, Lissotriton montandonti, Bombina (bombina) variegata, Rana dalmatina, Pseudopus apodus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Lacerta viridis, Coronella austriaca, Elaphe dione, Zamenis situla, Zamenis longissimus, and Vipera renardi. Collection materials were collected at different times (from the last third of the 19th century until the present day) in 16 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In terms of further enrichment, the collection can be used in batrachological and herpetological studies, and will be of interest for palaeontologists, archaeozoologists, and morphologists who work with osteological materials.

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Distribution of 11 species of reptiles (17.5% of reptile fauna in Russia) has been summarized identified on the base of field records during the period from 1990 up to 2002 on the territory of Saratov region and examination of collection of the museums of Russia and the Ukraine. There are 1 species of tortoise (16.6%), 4 species of lizards (13.8%) and 6 species of snakes (15.4%). Besides, there is possible record of common adder in the extreme north of territory, and Coluber caspius Cmelin, 1779 are dis- cussed.

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The karyotype of some local populations of Eremias arguta from the Samara and Saratov Trans-Volga regions is described. The diploid set of multi-coloured lizards of both the Trans-Volga populations includes 38 chromosomes 2n = 38, NF = 38. All the chromosomes are acrocentric, gradually decreasing in size. The karyotype structure of females and males is 2n = 35M + 3m and 2n = 36M + 2m, respectively. The presence of nucleous organizers on telomeric sites of three (2nd, 4th, and 7th) and four (1st, 2nd, 4th and 9th) pairs of autosomes for the Saratov and Samara Trans-Volga regions, respectively, is a feature of the E. arguta karyotypes of these populations. In this connection, further comparative analysis of the chromosome sets of E. arguta from various sites of its habitat seems promising.