New insights on the morphology and taxonomy of the gecko Mediodactylus ilamensis (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

Iranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics

مقاله 7، دوره 14، شماره 1، فروردین 2018، صفحه 55-64   

نوع مقاله: Research articles

شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22067/ijab.v14i1.71209

نویسندگان

Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani^{* 1}؛ Nasrin Haidari²؛ Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani³؛ Behzad Fathinia⁴

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

²Razi University

³Hakim Sabzevari University

⁴Yasouj University

چکیده

As a recently described species, Mediodactylus ilamensis is one of the least studied species of endemic reptiles of Iran. In this study a total number of 11 specimens of Mediodactylus ilamensis were collected from type locality (Zarin-Abad) as well as a new locality in Dinar-Kooh Preserved area, Abdanan Township approximately 27 km on an aerial line in the east of type locality. To investigate morphological variation and reveal sexual dimorphism we employed 32 metric and meristic characters. The most important morphological characteristics of this species are as follow: all scales of the body, with the exception of intermaxillaries, nasals, chin shields, and upper and lower labials, strongly keeled; postmentals absent, dorsal crossbars broad and equal to, or wider than, interspaces; scales of frontal and supraocular regions toward snout are multi-keeled (in some scales up to six keels) and polyhedral. Of the studied morphological characters only two are different significantly between males and females: number of active precloacal pores and ear diameter (vertical). Based on the new material, the validity of M. ilamensis as a full species, well distinguishable from other species of Mediodactylus, is confirmed. Observations on taxonomy, ecology and behavior are given.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Carinatogecko؛ Gekkonidae؛ Iran؛ Mediodactylus؛ ilamensis

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