Taxonomy and distribution of sand boas of the genus Eryx Daudin, 1803 (Serpentes: Erycidae) in Iran |
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| Authors: | Mohammad Zarrintab Konstantin D Milto Naeimeh Eskandarzadeh Bahman Zangi Mohammad Jahan Haji Gholi Kami |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran;2. Department of Herpetology, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia;3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran;4. Iranian Plateau Herpetology Research Group, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran;5. Ghods Town, Tehran Province, Iran;6. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran |
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| Abstract: | We review the distribution, morphology and taxonomic status of Eryx elegans, E. jaculus, E. miliaris, E. tataricus and E. johnii in Iran and examine four metric and 10 meristic characters of 94 specimens from different parts of the country. There are significant morphological differences between Eryx tataricus, E. jaculus and E. elegans, mainly in snout vent length, tail length, and number of ventrals, subcaudals and dorsal scales. Eryx jayakari and E. johnii can easily be distinguished based on their morphological traits and limited distribution in Iran. The occurrence of E. miliaris in Iran was not confirmed. The Iranian populations of Eryx jaculus are assigned to the subspecies E. j. turcicus. E. jaculus specimens from southwestern Iran had higher ventral scales than other populations, so evaluating their taxonomic status needs genetic studies in the future. A distribution map and a revised key to the genus Eryx in Iran are presented. |
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| Keywords: | Erycidae Eryx taxonomy distribution Iran |
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