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Despite numerous works devoted to hybrid origin of parthenogenesis in reptiles, the causes of hybridization between different species, resulting in the origin of parthenogenetic forms, remain uncertain. Recent studies demonstrate that sexual species considered parental to parthenogenetic rock lizards (Darevskia spp.) avoid interspecific mating in the secondary overlap areas. A specific combination of environmental factors during last glaciation period was critical for ectotherms, which led to a change in their distribution and sex ratio. Biased population structure (e.g., male bias) and limited available distributional range favored the deviation of reproductive behavior when species switched to interspecific mates. To date, at least 7 diploid parthenogenetic species of rock lizards (Darevskia, Lacertidae) originated through interspecific hybridization in the past. The cytogenetic specifics of meiosis, in particular the weak checkpoints of prophase I, may have allowed the formation of hybrid karyotypes in rock lizards. Hybridization and polyploidization are 2 important evolutionary forces in the genus Darevskia. At present, throughout backcrossing between parthenogenetic and parental species, the triploid and tetraploid hybrid individuals appear annually, but no triploid species found among Darevskia spp. on current stage of evolution. The speciation by hybridi- zation with the long-term stage of diploid parthenogenetic species, non-distorted meiosis, together with the high ecological plasticity of Caucasian rock lizards provide us with a new model for considering the pathways and persistence of the evolution of parthenogenesis in vertebrates.

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The patterns of seasonal and daily activities of two parthenogenetic species of lizards (Darevskia armeniaca, D. unisexualis) sharing the same territories in the zone of hybridization in central region of Armenia demonstrate ecologically similar potential niches.

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Parthenogenesis in reptiles was fort he first time discovered in the Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevskia (family Lacertidae). There re recognized 7 all-female diploid species occupying rocky habitats of the Armenian Highland. All oft hem (as well as other parthenogenetoc reptiles) originated from hybridisation between bisexual species and display high levels of heterozygosity. The hybridisations most probably occurred after the last glaciations period. It was found out that maternal, respectivily paternal species are phylogenetically related and that most probably the origian of parthenogenesis is Phylogenetically constrained in these lizards. The role of sex chromosomes, determination of sex and other possible factors determining the origin of parthenogenesis are also discussed. The paerthenogenetic Darevskia and other unisexual reptiles have in common relatively young age and very little genetic variability. However, some hyperunstable microsatellite loci were also detected. The evolutionary perspective of parthenogens doesn´t seem tob e long-termed, but there have been observed also peculiarities concerning adaptability of these species. Some questions like the meiotic mechanisms, maintenance of high heterozygosity or effects of epigenetic factors on clonal species aren´t yet fully resolved.

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Parthenogenetic lizards of the genus Darevskia as an evolutionary model. Several parthenogenetic lineages occur within the lizards of the genus Darevskia (Sauria: Lacertidae) which are endemic to southern Transcaucasus. High level of heterozygosity, cause by thein hybrid origin, is one of the crucial aspects of thein evolutionary potential, as well as the asexual reproduction. Heterosis on one side is in the opposition to the outbreeding depression and genetic uniformity of the clones on the other side. Aim of this work is to evaluace if these aspects influence viability of parthenogenetic species and differ them from the sexual ones. We chose the amount of asymmetries as a measure of developmental instability, which we studied on three meristic characters. We also evaluated the pattern of asymmetries in lateral blue spots, which are of signaling importace in lacertid lizards. Our results suggest that there isn`t significant difference between parthenogenetic and sexual species in developmental stability, but the sexual ones are more sensitive to population changes. Absence of males may have perhaps the greatest influence on coloration, resulting in loss of symmetry in the blue spots.

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Parthenogenetic species are usually considered to be short‐lived due to the accumulation of adverse mutations, lack of genetic variability, and inability to adapt to changing environment. If so, one may expect that the phenotype of clonal organisms may reflect such genetic and/or environmental stress. To test this hypothesis, we compared the developmental stability of bisexual and parthenogenetic lizards of the genus Darevskia. We assessed asymmetries in three meristic traits: ventral, preanal, and supratemporal scales. Our results suggest that the amount of ventral and preanal asymmetries is significantly higher in clones compared with their maternal, but not paternal, progenitor species. However, it is questionable, whether this is a consequence of clonality, as it may be considered a mild form of outbreeding depression as well. Moreover, most ventral asymmetries were found in the bisexual species Darevskia valentini. We suggest that greater differences in asymmetry levels among bisexuals may be, for instance, a consequence of the population size: the smaller the population, the higher the inbreeding and the developmental instability. On the basis of the traits examined in this study, the parthenogens do not seem to be of significantly poorer quality.

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Interactions between the environment and internal regulation drive the biophysiological dynamics of lizards. Although diurnal lizards are usually heliothermic, they can sometimes be active in the absence of sunlight. Here, we report, for the first time, a case of nocturnal behavior (aided by the artificial light) in the spiny-tailed lizard - Darevskia rudis (Bedriaga, 1886) – a species that normally exhibits diurnal activity.

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While traditionally species recognition has been based solely on morphological differences either typological or quantitative, several newly developed methods can be used for a more objective and integrative approach on species delimitation. This may be especially relevant when dealing with cryptic species or species complexes, where high overallresemblance between species is coupled with comparatively high morphological variation within populations. Rock lizards, genus Darevskia, are such an example, as many of its members offer few diagnostic morphological features. Herein, we use a combination of genetic, morphological and ecological criteria to delimit cryptic species within two species complexes, D. chlorogaster and D. defilippii, both distributed in northern Iran. Our analyses are based on molecular information from two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes, morphological data (15 morphometric, 16 meristic and four categorical characters) and eleven newly calculated spatial environmental predictors. The phylogeny inferred for Darevskia confirmed monophyly of each species complex, with each of them comprising several highly divergent clades, especially when compared to other congeners. We identified seven candidate species within each complex, of which three and four species were supported by Bayesian species delimitation within D. chlorogaster and D. defilippii, respectively. Trained with genetically determined clades, Ecological Niche Modeling provided additional support for these cryptic species. Especially those within the D. defilippii-complex exhibit well-differentiated niches. Due to overall morphological resemblance, in a first approach PCA with mixed variables only showed the separation between the two complexes. However, MANCOVA and subsequent Discriminant Analysis performed separately for both complexes allowed for distinction of the species when sample size was large enough, namely within the D. chlorogaster-complex. In conclusion, the results support four new species, which are described herein.

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While traditionally species recognition has been based solely on morphological differences either typological or quantitative, several newly developed methods can be used for a more objective and integrative approach on species delimitation. This may be especially relevant when dealing with cryptic species or species complexes, where high overall resemblance between species is coupled with comparatively high morphological variation within populations. Rock lizards, genus Darevskia, are such an example, as many of its members offer few diagnostic morphological features. Herein, we use a combination of genetic (two nuclear and two mitochondrial loci), morphological (15 morphometric, 16 meristic and four categorical characters) and ecological (eleven newly calculated spatial environmental predictors) criteria to delimit cryptic species within two species complexes, D. chlorogaster and D. defilippii, both distributed in northern Iran. Phylogenetic analyses of the molecular data confirmed the monophyly of D. chlorogaster, while D. defilippii is paraphyletic in respect to D. steineri. However, each of the complexes comprises several highly divergent clades, especially when compared to other congeners. We identified seven candidate species within each complex, of which three and four species are supported by Bayesian species delimitation within D. chlorogaster and D. defilippii (including D. steineri), respectively. Although the species within one complex lack clear diagnostic features, they can be well separated based on morphological variables when sample size is appropriate. Ecological Niche Modelling provided additional support for the identified species and niche overlaps between them are generally low, especially in the D. defilippii complex.

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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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Anhand ihrer Feld- und Literaturstudien identifizierten die Autoren 36 Amphibien- und Reptilienarten, die nachweislich in der turkischen Provinz Bitlis vorkommen, wobei die Fundorte und die an ihnen angetroffenen Habitattypen angegeben werden. die durch Beobachtung festgestellten Hauptgefahrdungsursachen werden benannt. insgesamt kennt man aus dem Untersuchungsgebiet Vorkommen von vier Froschlurch-, zwei Schwanzlurch- und Schildkrötenarten sowie 15 Echsen- und 13 Schlangenarten. Hyla savignyi Audouin, 1827, Heremites vittatus (Olivier, 1804), Timon kurdistanicus (Suchow, 1936) and Eirenis thospitis Schmidtler & Lanza, 1990, stellen Erstnachweise fur die Provinz Bitlis dar.

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Knowing the age structure of endangered species is important in order to contribute to future conservation studies for such species. In this context, we investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, potential reproductive lifespan and longevity in a population of the Charnali lizard, Darevskia dryada, an endangered species from Turkey. The results show that the Charnali lizard has a longer life span than other lizards of the genus Darevskia that live in the same region. We estimated that these lizards attain their sexual maturity at the age of one or two years and the potential reproductive life span for males and females is six and five years, respectively. As in many other lizards, the Charnali lizard exhibited a low-level male-biased sexual dimorphism in terms of increased size. We believe that this study, in which prior information related to the Charnali lizard is shared, will contribute to future conservation activities for this critically endangered species.

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We investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, lifespan, growth and survival rate and adult life expectancy (as demographic life-history traits) as well as body size of two Darevskia derjugini (Artvin lizard) populations from different altitudes, using skeletochronology. Our findings indicated that age upon attaining sexual maturity was two or three years in the low-altitude population (Fındıklı) while it was three years in the high-altitude population (Murgul) for both sexes. The maximum longevity was seven years in the high-elevation site while it was six years in the low-elevation site. As reported for many lizards, we found a significant positive relationship between age and body size within each sex of Artvin lizard at both altitudes. High- and low-altitude populations did not differ in age structure, survival rates, adult life expectancy and body size. Rather than the effect of altitude, which is hard to compare without replication of other low and high altitude populations, the fact that these two populations have similar growth rates and the similarity of local conditions (food availability and predator density) may indicate similarity between the two regions.

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This paper reports the results of newest investigations of lizards` demonstration behaviour. A special attention was paid to lizards` aposematic and epigamious reactions which are of great importance when forming couples and defending individual territories. The species differences represent in quite a number of cases the most essential obsacle for the formation of couples of the individuals of different specis, even if the morphological differences of these species are hardly perceptible. Being the determining feature in intra- and inter- species contacts, the demonstration behaviour ensures the integrity of a species.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Terskol on the Baksan River, Kabardino- Balkaria, Russia. DISTRIBUTION. Endemic of the high-mountainous Caucasus. It occurs in the high-altitude part of the western half of the Great Caucasus Range – from Elbrus in the east to the mountains Fisht and Osten in the west. The eastern border of the distribution range runs in the upper reaches of Baksan River on the south-eastern slopes of Elbrus and mountain Cheget in Kabardino-Balkaria. Further to the west it is widely distributed in the upper reaches of the rivers Kuban’, Teberda, Zelenchuck, Laba, Belaya and others flowing down to the north. It inhabits the southern slopes of the Caucasus: in the upper reaches of the Bzyb River and its tributaries in Abkhazia and the upper reaches of Mzymta River in the southeast of the Krasnodar Territory. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is rather stable everywhere within of its distribution range. The species is included into the Red Data Book of IUCN with the status DD.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Yelenovka (= Sevan) on the shore of the Sevan Lake, Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. It is widely distributed in the mountains of northwestern and northern Armenia and adjacent regions of southern Georgia and western Azerbaijan. Outside of the Caucasus it is also known from the north-western Turkey. In 1967 D. armeniaca was introduced into the Ukraine. At present this parthenogenetic species formes a stable extensive population in the rock canyon of Teterev River of the Zhitomir region. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is high and stable everywhere within the whole distribution range.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Krasnaya Polyana in the south of the Krasnodar Territory, Russia. DISTRIBUTION. Endemic of the montane Caucasus. It is widely distributed in the western part of the Great Caucasus Range, on northern, western and south-western slopes of the Black Sea chain of the Great Range in the Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia and north-western and south-western Georgia, to the canyons of the rivers Kodory and Ingury in lower and upper Svanetia in the east. The northern border of its distribution passes in the area of the middle current of numerous left tributaries of the Kuban River. The most northern habitats of the species are known in the vicinity of Goryachyi Klyuch on Psekupsa River and the vicinity of the town Maikop. The southern border of the distribution range stretches on the southern slopes of the Great Range and, gradually lowing down, on the western spurs of the Gagra range. It comes out to the sea in the south of the Krasnodar Territory and western Abkhazia, where it is sporadically recorded on the coast from the ALPINE LIZARD DAREVSKIA ALPINA (DAREVSKY, 1967) ARMENIAN LIZARD DAREVSKIA ARMENIACA (MEHELY, 1909) BRAUNER’S ROCK LIZARD DAREVSKIA BRAUNERI (MEHELY, 1909) 81 L A C E R T I D A E town Anapa in the north up to the canyons of the rivers Khoby and Riony in the south-west of Georgia. The nominative subspecies D. b. brauneri occurs in the south of the Krasnodar Territory, in Abkhazia and adjacent regions of Georgia. D. b. darevskii (Szczerbak, 1962) inhabits foothills of the western part of the Great Caucasus range, mainly within the Krasnodar Territory. A comparatively small range of the subspecies D. b. szczerbaki (Lukina, 1963) occupies a narrow strip of coastal rocky steeps, sporadically occurring along the coast of the Black Sea from the town Anapa in the north and for more than 100 km further to the south-east towards Novorossiisk. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number of the species is rather high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Kazbek Mountain, Georgia. DISTRIBUTION. Endemic of the Great Caucasus. It is widely distributed on the northern and southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Range from the northern foothills of Elbrus in Kabardino-Balkaria in the west up to the south-eastern extreme point of its Caspian chain within Azerbaijan in the east. South-western border of the distribution range passes on the southern foothills of Megrel’sky, Svanetsky and Lekhchumsky mountain ranges in lower Svanetia, and then coming down within South Ossetia approximately up to the latitude of the health-resort Dzhava. Along the southern spurs of Kharul’sky, Kartalinsky and Kakhetinsky mountain ranges it comes out into the slopes of the Water Dividing (Watershed) Range in the Alazan River valley of Georgia. In Azerbaijan this border continues in the upper reaches of the rivers beginning from the Great Range, and further in the east – from the slopes of the mountains Baba- Dag and Dyubrar, in particular of the rivers Pirsagat and Sumgait. This lizard is also widely distributed on the northern slopes of the Great Caucasus, from the Baksan ravine in Kabardino-Balkaria in the west to Samur range in the South Dagestan in the east. The north-western border of the distribution area passes here in the Baksan ravine approximately from the town Tegenekly in the south, continuing then to the east on the northern foothills of the Skalisty and Bokovoi ranges. There the most northern habitats are known from the ravine Adyr-su, near the waterfall in the Chegemskaya gorge, from the vicinity of the Blue Lakes in Kabardino-Balkaria and the vicinity of Alagir and the settlement Balta in the lower part of the Dar’yal ravine of North Ossetia. In the foothills and on the northern slopes of the Andiysky mountain range in the south-eastern Chechnya and possibly in the adjacent part of Ingooshetia occurs a narrow-ranged subspecies D. c. vedenica (Darevsky et Roitberg, 1999). CONSERVATION STATUS. The number of the species everywhere within its distribution range is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Enzely, Iran, southern coast of the Caspian Sea. DISTRIBUTION. It inhabits mainly forested northern and northwestern foothills of the Elburz range in northern Iran and Lenkoran lowland in the south-eastern foothills of the Talysh range in the south-east of Azerbaijan. There the most northern habitats are known from the valley of Vilyazhchai River. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number of the species is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. 20 km to the west from the settlement Borchka, vilajet Artvin, north-eastern Turkey. DISTRIBUTION. The main distribution range of the species occupies the northern spurs of the East-Pontic mountains in the north-east of Turkey, at least up to the vilajet Giresun in the west. A small isolated area of the distribution range is known on the western slopes of the mountain Mtirala in the vicinity of the town Batumi in the south-west of Ajaria (Georgia). CONSERVATION STATUS. As a rare species the species was included into the Red Data Book of the USSR (1984) – category 3 and the Red Data Book of IUCN with the status ENC2a.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Levashi in the region with the same name of central Dagestan. DISTRIBUTION. It occurs in the montane Dagestan, southern Chechnya, Ingooshetia and south-east of north Ossetia, from the lower part of the Dar’yal ravine in the west up to Gimrinsky range in the east. The northern border of the distribution area passes in the foothills of the Skalisty range in the upper current of numerous right tributaries of Sunja River. Further on the extreme north-eastern foothills of the frontal ranges of Dagestan it attains the nearest vicinity of Makhachkala city in the east. An isolated population lives also on the southern slope of the Great Caucasus range in the canyon of the river Bol’shaya Liakhvy on the territory of South Ossetia in Georgia. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number is stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Shagaly, Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. It is comparatively widely distributed in the north Armenia and southern Georgia up to the foothills area in the valley of Kura River in the north. The recent distribution range is divided into some isolated populations. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number is stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Valley of Lar, to the north-west of Teheran, northern Iran. DISTRIBUTION. The distribution range of the species covers practically all Alborz range in the north of Iran and adjacent east Kopet Dagh range both in its Iranian part and in the south of the neighbouring Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan the species is very rare and once it was considered to be extinct. In central Kopet Dagh it is known here from a few points in the ravines Sushanka and Bol’shie Karanki. CONSERVATION STATUS. In Iran the number of the species is high and stable. In Turkmenistan the number is catastrophically declining. The species is included into the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (1999): category 3 – a rare species on the periphery of the distribution range.

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TERRA TYPICA. Vicinity of the town Artvin, north-eastern Turkey. DISTRIBUTION. South-west of the Krasnodar Territory, western and north-eastern Georgia and the extreme north-west of Azerbaijan. Outside of the Caucasus it occurs on the extreme north-east of Turkey. Of 6 described subspecies 5 are distributed in the Caucasus. D. d. silvatica (Bartenjev et Reznikova, 1931) inhabits submontane part of the Krasnodar Territory mainly in the Caucasian Biosphere State Reserve and the adjacent spurs of the Great Caucasus. D. d. boehmei (Bischoff, 1982) lives in the western spurs of the Great Caucasus in Krasnodar Territory and adjoining regions of Abkhazia up to the valley of the river Kodor in the south-east. D. d. abchasica (Bischoff, 1982) inhabits the coast of the Black Sea of Abkhazia and the adjacent regions of western Georgia, D. d. barani (Bischoff, 1982) is known from coastal mountain regions of Ajaria and of neighbouring part of north-eastern Turkey. D. d. orlowae (Bischoff, 1984) inhabits southern slopes and foothills of the Great Caucasus in Georgia and north-western Azerbaijan. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is rather high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Ravine of small Charnali River in the lower reaches of the river Chorokh in the extreme south-west of Ajaria (southwestern Georgia) and the adjacent part of Turkey. DISTRIBUTION. It occurs on a limited territory in the north-eastern foothills of the Pontic range, within extreme south-west of Ajaria in Georgia and adjoining regions of north-eastern Turkey. The distribution is not sufficiently studied. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is rather high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. The Crimean Peninsula. DISTRIBUTION. The distribution range of the species is limited by the mountain Crimea from Sevastopol in the west up to the cape Kiik-Atlam near the town Feodosia in the east. The northern border of the distribution range runs on the northern slopes of the Crimean Mountains through the towns Bakhchisarai, Simferopol and the vicinity of the settlement Vishennoe in the Belgorod region. A small isolated population lives on the rocks Adalary near Gurzuf. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is rather high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Abastumani in south-western Georgia. DISTRIBUTION. Endemic of Georgia. The recent distribution range forms some more or less extensive isolates mainly situated on the slopes of the Meskhetsky range within Ajaria and western Georgia up to Borzhomi ravine in the valley of Kura River and north-western slopes of Trialetsky range in the east. Isolated populations live on the southern slopes of Lechkhumsky and Rachinsky ranges in the foothills of Great Caucasus, where this lizard is known from the vicinity of the towns Kutaisi, Tkvibuli and the health-resort Labarde. Its distribution in the foothills of the Great Caucasus Range is still not sufficiently studied. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number in the most of known populations is rather high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Artvin, north-eastern Turkey. DISTRIBUTION. The distribution range of the species covers north-eastern Turkey (approximately from Erzerum in the west and from the valley of the upper current of Aras River in the south) and northern and southern foothills and spurs of the Meskhetsky range within Ajaria and neighbouring regions of Georgia from the coast of the Black Sea in the west up to the middle current of Kura River in the east. There are local isolated populations in the ravines of several lateral tributaries of the river Kura (Akhaldaba, Baniskhevi, Azkuri and others). In Georgia and in the ravine of the lower current of river Chorokh in Turkey occurs subspecies D. p. adjarica (Darevsky et Eiselt, 1980). The remaining part of the distribution range is occupied by the nominative subspecies D. p. parvula. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number of the species is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. City Tiflis (= Tbilisi), Georgia. DISTRIBUTION. The main distribution range of the species occupies right-bank section of the valley of middle current of Kura River and the ravine of its right tributaries within Georgia, northern Armenia and north-western Azerbaijan. It covers the area from Gori in the west up to northern foothills of the ranges of the Lesser Caucasus in the lower and middle current of the rivers flowing into Kura River: Algeti, Khrami, Debeta, Akstafa-chai, Gyandzhachai and others in the south-east. Big population, isolated now from the main distribution range, is known in the valley of middle current of the left tributary of Kura River – river Iori on the southern slopes of the Zivgamborsky range. A great zoogeographical interest represents an isolated population of this species discovered in south-western Azerbaijan, in the ravine of upper current of Akar River, belonging to the basin of Aras River. Presence of D. portschinskii in the southern foothills of Lesser Caucasus can be connected with a radical reconstruction of river systems which was taking place on the territory of Transcaucasia in the postglacial period. The nominative subspecies D. p. portschinskii occupies the most part of the distribution range. In the ravines of right tributaries of Kura River – the rivers Mashavera in Georgia and Debeta in Armenia – occurs D. p. nigrita (Bakradze, 1976). CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Narzan, North Caucasus. DISTRIBUTION. It occurs in the north-west of the Balkan Peninsula from one side and within the Caucasus and adjacent part of Iran from the other side. It is sporadically distributed on the both sides of the Great Caucasus Range within the limits of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Ingooshetia and Dagestan, and in the Transcaucasia – on the coast of the Black Sea of Abkhazia, in north Georgia, northern Azerbaijan. Isolated part of range lies in south-east Azerbaijan and in the north of Armenia. D. p. praticola inhabits the most part of the distribution range. D. d. pontica (Lantz et Cyren, 1919) inhabits the coast of the Black Sea and north-western Caucasus. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Vicinity of the settlement Ijevan, Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. It has a comparatively limited distribution range in the northern Armenia and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan. The recent distribution range is divided into several more or less isolated populations. One of them, now extinct, existed on the north-eastern shore of the Lake Sevan in Armenia. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Trapezund (Trabzon), north-eastern Turkey. DISTRIBUTION. The species is widely distributed, mainly in the western Transcaucasia, and in the north – in the montane Ingooshetia, Chechnya, neighbouring Dagestan and in northern Ossetiya. Outside of the Caucasus it is widely distributed in the northern half of Turkey. Of eight described subspecies the five occur in the Caucasus. D. r. bischoffi (Boehme et Budak, 1977) occurs in Ajaria. D. r. obscura (Lantz et Cyren, 1936) inhabits the valley and adjoining slopes of mountains of the upper current of Kura river within Georgia. D. r. macromaculata (Darevsky, 1967) is recorded in the ravine of the right tributary of Kura River, river Akhalkalakichai in southern Georgia. D. r. svanetica (Darevsky et Eiselt, 1980) occurs in the ravine of the upper current of the river Inguri in Svanetia (western Georgia). D. r. chechenica (Eiselt et Darevsky, 1991) is widely distributed on the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus from lower Svanetia in the west up to northwestern Azerbaijan in the east, and also isolatedly on the northern slopes within the limits of the montane Chechnya and Dagestan. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number of the species is high and stable everywhere.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Kislovodsk, Stavropol Territory. DISTRIBUTION. The main distribution range of the species covers the northern slopes of the Rocky range within Karachaevo- Cherkesskaya Autonomous Region, south of the Stavropol Territory and Kabardino-Balkaria, from the valley of the upper current of Kuban’ River and its tributaries in the west up to the ravine of the middle current of the river Chegem in the east. The most northern isolated population (which was considered as extinct) lives in the southern foothills of the Stavropol Upland, in the limits of the Alexandrovsky region of the Stavropol Territory. The southern border of the distribution range passes on the north-eastern spurs of the mountain Elbrus in the ravine of the river Kuban, and, crossing the Rocky Range (known from the Mariinsky pass), continues further on its watershed in the upper reaches of the rivers Kuma, Podkumok, Alikanovka, Beryozovaya, Zolka and others. On the ravine of the river Baksan it comes up to the town Tyrny-Auza and goes from the Chegem waterfalls up along the Chegem River gorge. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Akhta, ravine of the river Razdan, northern Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. The distribution range of the species is divided into several isolated populations within the northern and central high-mountain Armenia and the adjacent regions of eastern Turkey, from where along the valley of Kura River this lizard penetrates into southern Georgia. Outside of the Caucasus it occurs in the valley of the river Aras in eastern Turkey. CONSERVATION STATUS. The number is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Town Bazarchai (Basarkent), Sisiansky region, eastern Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. The recent distribution range of the species is divided into several of more or less extensive isolates, attributed to the steppe high-mountain regions of the mountain-steppe zone of Armenia, Azerbaijan, southern Georgia and eastern Turkey. The most extensive areas of the distribution range are occupied by the high-mountain zone of the Gegamsky range up to the shores of Sevan Lake in the north, a ring-like high-mountain area of the Aragaz mount and a high-mountain plateau in the foothills of the Childyrsky and Javakhetsky ranges in the extreme north-west of Armenia and adjoining regions of southern Georgia. Besides, it is encountered on the Ardenissky range confining the basin of Sevan Lake from the south. Further to the east it inhabits all high-mountain part of the Karabakh Upland within the limits of Nagorny Karabakh. Outside of the Caucasus, covering the mountains, surrounding the Lake Van, the species is widely distributed in north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern Turkey, at least from the range Palandeken in the vilajet Erzerum in the west. Probably it penetrates into the high-mountain region of extreme west on the territory of the neighbouring Iran. Three subspecies are described. The nominative subspecies D. v. valentini is distributed in the whole Transcaucasia. D. v. lantzicyreni (Darevsky et Eiselt, 1967) occurs on the most part of Turkey. The third subspecies D. v. spitzenbergerae (Eiselt, Darevsky et Schmidtler, 1992) is known only from the type locality in the vilajet Khakyari in the extreme south-east of Turkey. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution area the number of the species is high and stable.

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TERRA TYPICA. Settlement Nyuvadi in the ravine of the Aras River, south-east Armenia. DISTRIBUTION. It is widely distributed in the mountains of Lesser Caucasus, in the most part of the southern and northern Armenia, southern and southern-east Azerbaijan and the ravine of the upper current of Kura River in western Georgia. In the Transcaucasia the distribution range consists of many isolated populations of different size associated with the ravines of small rivers flowing down to the river Aras in the south, and tributaries of the river Kura in the north. Outside the Caucasus it occurs in eastern Turkey (to the east of the Lake Van) and in the adjacent north-western Iran. AZERBAIJAN LIZARD DAREVSKIA RADDEI (BOETTGER, 1892) MEADOW LIZARD DAREVSKIA PRATICOLA (EVERSMANN, 1834) RI V ER KURA LIZARD DAREVSKIA PORTSCHINSKI I (KESSLER, 1678) 88 88L A C E R T I D A E The southern border of its distribution range is not exactly determined. Intraspecific taxonomy is still not clear. Three subspecies are described. The nominative subspecies D. r. raddei inhabits the most part of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the basin of the Lake Sevan in Armenia (mainly in the western part of the republic). In the ravine of the upper current of the river Kura in Georgia occurs D. r. nairensis, considered by some taxonomists as a distinct species. D. r. vanensis (Eiselt, Schmidtler et Darevsky, 1993) occurs in the eastern part of the basin of Lake Van in Turkey and in the neighbouring Iran. CONSERVATION STATUS. In the most part of the distribution range the number of the species is high and stable.

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Acanthodactylus cantoris blanfordi, Acanthodactylus cantoris schmidti, Acanthodactylus fraseri, Acanthodactylus micropholis, Apathya cappadocica urmiana, Eremias arguta, Eremias brevirostris, Eremias fasciata, Eremias grammica, Eremias guttulata, Eremias intermedia, Eremias lineolata, Eremias nigrocellata, Eremias persica, Eremias pleskei, Eremias scripta, Eremias strauchi, Eremias velox velox, Lacerta brandtii, Lacerta chlorogaster, Lacerta princeps princeps, Lacerta princeps kurdistanica, Lacerta saxicola defilippii. Lacerta saxicola raddei, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta trilineata media, Ophisops elegans.

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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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Relatively little is known about the ecology of lizards in Iran. This paper serves as a brief introduction to five representative biotopes and their associated lizard species living syntopically, based largely on my own observations. The selected localities are found in 1) Masjed Soleyman, foothills of the Zagros Mountains, Khuzestan; 2) Kupal dunes, on the Mesopotamian Plain, Khuzestan; 3) Shah ‘Abbas Caravanserai, Dasht-e Kavir, on the Central Plateau; 4) an abandoned village in Sistan, ruined buildings and loose loess substrate; 5) Hyrcanian Forest, northern slopes of lower Alborz Mountains and the Gorgan region. The biotopes are characterized briefly and the concept of syntopy is discussed.

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The author updates the knowledge on the herpetofauna of southern Dobruja according to his own studies within the area, during 1993-1998, when he identified 18 taxa. They represent 37.5% of the total amphibian and reptile species from Romania. Also the author makes some remarks on respective ecosystems and on the urgent protection need of some species.

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The extent of resistance of animal cells and tissues to injurious heat effect is a cytophysiological criterion of species. In poikilotherms it can be determined both by phylogenetic relations and ecological conditions of a species` formation and existence. To analyze the relative role of these factors in formation of the tissue heat resistance level as characteristic of a species, a study was made on 9 species of lizards of the `Lacerta saxicola` complex. A characteristic feature of the complex is that some of the species belonging it are of hybrid origin, which implies that genetically they are closely related to other, parental forms. Heat resistance level of muscle tissue in a hybrid species may differ from the parental forms if the conditions of its existence are different. On other hand, genetically unrelated species living under similar conditions may have the same level of heat resistance of muscle tissue. Interspecific differences in heat resistance of muscles cannot be explained by phylogenetic relations only. Of major importance in formation of the cellular heat resistance level in the process of speciation are ecological, and primarily, thermal conditions of the environment.

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Skeletochronological study of rock lizards hybrids Darevskia valentini × D. unisexualis, D. valentini × D. armeniaca, D. nairensis × D. unisexualis, and their parental species, collected from three mixed populations (near village of Kuchak, Lchashen, Lchap — mountainous regions of central Armenia) proved their similar pattern of growth. However, the hybrids are characterized by faster rate of growth and predominantly bigger size of body in each age group contrary to their parental species. The longevity of studied hybrids is same as in parental species and reaches 6 – 7 years.

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Sexual organisms should be better suited than asexual ones in a context of continuous evolution in response to opposite organisms in changing environments (“Red Queen” hypothesis of sex). However, sex also carries costs associated with the maintenance of males and mating (sex cost hypothesis). Here, both non-mutually excluding hypotheses are tested by analysing the infestation by haemogregarines of mixed communities of Darevskia rock lizards composed of parthenogens generated by hybridisation and their bisexual relatives. Prevalence and intensity were recorded from 339 adult lizards belonging to six species from five syntopic localities and analysed using Generalized Mixed-Models (GLMM). Both infestation parameters depended on host-size (like due to longer exposure with age), sex and, for intensity, species. Once accounting for locality and species, males were more parasitized than conspecific females with bisexual species, but no signal of reproductive mode itself on parasitization was recovered. Essentially, male-male interactions increased haemogregarine intensity while females either sexual or asexual had similar reproductive costs when in the same conditions. These findings deviate from the predictions from “Red Queen” dynamics while asymmetric gender costs are here confirmed. Thus, increased parasitization pressure on males adds to other costs, such as higher social interactions and lower fecundity, to explain why parthenogenetic lizards apparently prevail in the short-term evolutionary scale. How this is translated in the long-term requires further phylogenetic analysis.

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The skeletochronological method has been used to assess age distribution and age-related differences in body size among populations of the parthenogenetic lizards Darevskia sapphirina, D. uzzelli, D. armeniaca and D. unisexualis from Turkey and Armenia. The age distribution between D. armeniaca and D. unisexualis did not significantly differ and ranged from 1 to 8 years. Maximum age for both D. uzzelli and D. sapphirina was 6 years, and 8 years for both D. unisexualis and D. armeniaca. In all the studied species, individuals reached sexual maturity after third hibernation. According to patterns of growth marks resorption, D. sapphirina is distinguished from all other rock lizards of genus Darevskia by a narrowest periosteal bone as result of high rate of endosteal resorption resulting in complete destruction of hatchling line and line of the first hibernation.

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Morphological diversity at 20 pholidotic and 16 meristic characters were studied on three parthenogenetic species Darevskia unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966) D. uzzelli (Darevsky & Danielyan, 1977) and D. sapphirina (Schmidtler, Eiselt & Darevsky, 1994) from Turkey which originated from interspecific hybridization of same parental species D. raddei (Boettger, 1892) and D. valentini (Boettger, 1892) and compared with parthenogenetic species D. armeniaca (Mehely, 1909) which originated from hybridization of D. mixta (Mehely, 1909) and D. valentini (Boettger, 1892) (Murphy et al, 2000, Fu et al, 2000). D. armeniaca significantly differ (ANOVA, Tukey HSD test; p < 0.05) from D. unisexualis and D. sapphirina by 11 pholidotic characters, as well as from D. uzzelli by 9 variables. D. unisexualis has shown significant differences by 8 pholidotic variables from D. sapphrina. Only two pholidotic characters distinguish D. uzzelli from D. sapphirina and D. unisexualis. In addition to meristic characters D. sapphirinia has shown significant less length and height of head as well as length of legs than D. armeniaca, D. unisexualis and D. uzzelli. The average means of snout-vent length of D. sapphirina were less in each age group in comparing with other species. The measurements of bone thickness have revealed the significant high level (p<0.001) of endosteal resorption in femur bones of D. sapphirina removing the first growth layers which usually present in bones of the most Darevskia species. The oldest lizards in our specimens were aged 6 years in D. uzzelli and D. sapphirina and 7 years D. unisexualis and D. armeniaca.

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The cytometrical analyses of diploid bisexual species Darevskia valentini, and closely relative parthenogenetic species D. unisexualis and D. armeniaca, as well as their triploid hybrids (D. valentini × D. unisexualis and D. valentini × D. armeniaca) and tetraploid hybrid D.valentini × D. unisexualis arising from hybridization in mixed population in vicinity of Kuchak village (Aragatsotn region, Armenia) has shown significant differences (P<0.001) in surface and perimeter of erythrocytes between all of them according to ANOVAs post-hoc test. The size of red blood cells of triploid hybrids exceeds that of diploids by 25-30%, but tetraploid male exceeds diploid males by 22% and by 10 % smaller than those of triploid male hybrids. Among parental species the smallest parameters of erythrocytes have D. valentini, when D. unisexualis have the largest red blood cells. Accordingly, the erythrocytes of hybrids of D.valentini × D. unisexualis were larger than D. valentini × D. armeniaca.

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Currently among sympatric populations of biparental species of genus Darevskia, which were involved in reticulate evolution, the processes of hybridization take place only between D. raddei and D. portschinskii species. The successful combination of parental species with low reproductive isolation may be considered as main factor explaining the origin of parthenogenetic species.

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Age determination based on counting the annual layers in the femur was performed for three parthenogenetic species of Armenian rock lizards, Lacerta armeniaca (n = 147), L. unisexualis (n = 68), and L. dahli (n = 18), and for two bisexual species, L. nairensis (n = 29) and L. raddei (n = 32). Comparison of parthenogenetic and bisexual species shows that the growth rate, sexual maturity age, and life longevity in rock lizards are independent of the type of reproduction. The examined Lacerta species reach maturity by the second or third year of life. The maximum age of individuals in the samples studied is 7 and 5 years for L. armeniaca and L. nairensis, respectively, and 6 years for L. unisexualis, L. dahli, and L. raddei.

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The age of the parthenogenetic species, Lacerta armeniaca (N = 147), L. unisexualis (N = 68), and L. dahli (N = 18), and that in the bisexual species, L. nairensis (N = 29) and L. raddei (N = 32), were determined from femur bone layers. Parthenogenesis does not influence the growth rate, age of sexual maturation and longevity of rock lizards. The species of lizards under study reach sexual maturity during the second or third year of life. The maximum age of individuals in the samples studied was 7 years for L. armeniaca, 6 years for L. unisexualis, L. dahli, L. raddei, and 5 years for L. nairensis.

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Range overlap between species even at local scales is a defining trait in the biogeography of the Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevskia. Syntopy between populations of two biparental species is remarkable, especially when they are parental contributors of parthenogenetic species. The detailed analyses of such contact zones revealed that when biparental species D. valentini and D. nairensis are in syntopy, no hybrid forms arise. This is likely due to their different reproductive periods. In contrast, the biparental D. raddei and D. portschinskii often produce hybrids, and the parthenogenetic species D. rostombekovi is also found in low numbers in the same sites which suggests that they are an occasional result of hybridization. Three sympatric zones between D. raddei and D. portschinskii are known for Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) and Azerbaijan. Likely, the reproductive isolation between D. raddei and D. portschinskii is not complete which is contributing to reticular evolution. The hybridization events between syntopic D. raddei and D. portschinskii produce lizards with intermediate scalation and coloration characters when compared to allopatric populations. Among 207 lizards from Northern Armenia 59 (28.5%) D. raddei and 53 (25.5%) of D. portschinskii displayed intermediate morphology, 6 (2.86%) were parthenogenetic D. rostombekovi and 4 (1.93%) triploid hybrid females D. raddei × D. rostombekovi. Of 20 lizards with intermediate morphology 53 eggs and 35 young were obtained; 12 of young were similar to D. rostombekovi according to their external morphology. Among 143 lizards collected in another syntopic locality with D. raddei and D. portschinskii in NKR, 24 were hybrid females of uncertain morphological ascription. Among 66 D. portschinskii 18 individuals displayed modified morphological characters similar to D. raddei while among 43 D. raddei 14 individuals show morphologies close to D. portschinskii. Therefore, the successful combination of parental species with low reproductive isolation may be considered as the main factor explaining the origin of parthenogenetic species. For next steps of reticulate evolution, the combination of biparental and parthenogenetic species is required. Namely, in the sympatric zone of biparental D. raddei (40% of lizards) and parthenogenetic D. rostombekovi (35%), D. armeniaca (20%) and D. dahli (5%), triploid hybrids arise only between D. raddei and D. rostombekovi (18 hybrid males and 6 intersexes with both hemipenises and oviducts found). D. raddei from this locality showed pholidosis and coloration approaching D. rostombekovi.

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The present study is on the morphologies and sizes of peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes) on blood smears, stained with Wright`s stain, in some lacertid lizards species [Apathya cappadocica (Werner, 1902), Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802), Acanthodactylus harranensis Baran et al. 2005, Anatolacerta danfordi (Günther, 1876), Darevskia praticola (Eversmann, 1834), D. uzzelli (Darevsky and Danielyan, 1977), D. valentini (Boettger, 1892), Parvilacerta parva (Boulenger, 1887), Lacerta pamphylica Schmidtler, 1975, L. trilineata Bedriaga, 1886, L. viridis (Laurenti, 1768), Ophisops elegans Menetries, 1832, Mesalina brevirostris Blanford, 1876, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), P. sicula (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810), Timon princeps (Blanford, 1874)] from Turkey. As a result of our survey, it was determined that the blood cells of the investigated species are shows significant variations in sizes and of leukocytes, agranulocytic leukocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) are present as predominant cells. Moreover, of granulocytes, neutrophils were no observed in A. danfordi, D. praticola, D. uzzelli, and P. parva.

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Algyroides fitzingeri, Algyroides marchi, Algyroides moreoticus, Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta lepida, Lacerta princeps, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta andreanszkyi, Lacerta armeniaca, Lacerta bedriagae, Lacerta brandtii, Lacerta cappadocica, Lacerta caucasica, Lacerta chlorogaster, Lacerta cyanura, Lacerta danfordi, Lacerta derjugini, Lacerta dugesii, Lacerta fraasii, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta horvathi, Lacerta jayakari, Lacerta laevis, Lacerta monticola, Lacerta mosorensis, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta parva, Lacerta perspicillata, Lacerta praticola, Lacerta rudis, Lacerta saxicola, Lacerta vivipara, Gallotia atlantica, Gallotia galloti, Gallotia simonyi, Podarcis erhardii, Podarcis filfolensis, Podarcis hispanica, Podarcis lilfordi, Podarcis melisellensis, Podarcis milensis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis pityusensis, Podarcis sicula, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis tiliguerta, Podarcis wagleriana, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus blanci, Psammodromus hispanicus, Psammodromus microdactylus.

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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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Differences in surface structure (ober- hautchen) of body scales of lacertid lizards involve cell size, shape and surface profile, presence or absence of fine pitting, form of cell margins, and the occurrence of longitudinal ridges and pustular projections. Phylogenetic information indicates that the primitive pattern involved narrow strap-shaped cells, with low posteriorly overlapping edges and relatively smooth surfaces. Deviations from this condition produce a more sculptured surface and have developed many times, although subsequent overt reversals are uncommon. Like variations in scale shape, different patterns of dorsal body microornamentation appear to confer different and conflicting performance advantages. The primitive pattern may reduce friction during locomotion and also enhances dirt shedding, especially in ground-dwelling forms from moist habitats. However, this smooth microornamentation generates shine that may compromise cryptic coloration, especially when scales are large. Many derived features show correlation with such large scales and appear to suppress shine. They occur most frequently in forms from dry habitats or forms that climb in vegetation away from the ground, situations where dirt adhesion is less of a problem. Microornamentation differences involving other parts of the body and other squamate groups tend to corroborate this functional interpretation. Microornamentation features can develop on lineages in different orders and appear to act additively in reducing shine. In some cases different combinations may be optimal solutions in particular environments, but lineage effects, such as limited reversibility and different developmental proclivities, may also be important in their genesis. The fine pits often found on cell surfaces are unconnected with shine reduction, as they are smaller than the wavelengths of most visible light.

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DNA sequence indicates the Lacertidae contain two subfamilies, Gallotiinae and Lacertinae, the latter comprising two monophyletic tribes, the Eremiadini of Africa and arid southwest and central Asia, and the Lacertini of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest and east Asia. Relationships within the 108 species of Lacertini are explored using mtDNA (291 bp cytochrome b; 329 bp 12S rRNA for 59 nominal species, and reanalysis of the data of Harris et al. 1998, and Fu 2000). The morphology of the tribe is reviewed and 64 of its characters (equivalent to 83 binary ones) also used to assess relationships. The Lacertini are assigned to 19 monophyletic units of 1 to 27 species, recognised here as the following genera (contents are indicated in brackets): Algyroides, Anatololacerta gen. nov. (L. danfordi group), Apathya (L. cappadocica group), Archaeolacerta (L. bedriagae), Dalmatolacerta gen. nov. (L. oxycephala), Darevskia (L. saxicola group), Dinarolacerta gen. nov. (L. mosorensis), Hellenolacerta gen. nov. (L. graeca), Iberolacerta (L. monticola group), Iranolacerta gen. nov. (L. brandtii and L. zagrosica), Lacerta s. str. (sand and green lizards, L. agilis group), Parvilacerta gen. nov. (L. parva and L. fraasii), Phoenicolacerta gen. nov. (L. laevis group), Podarcis (wall lizards), Scelarcis (L. perspicillata), Takydromus (Asian grass lizards), Teira (L. dugesii), Timon (ocellated lizards, L. lepida group) and Zootoca (L. vivipara). Both mtDNA and morphology indicate that Lacerta and Timon are sister taxa, and DNA suggests further possible relationships among genera (Fig. 1, p. 6). Neither DNA nor morphology indicates that the archaeolacertas (sometimes formalised as Archaeolacerta sens. lat.) form a clade. Instead, they are representatives of an ecomorph associated with living on rock exposures and using the narrow crevices that these contain. The Lacertidae probably arose in the European area, with the Gallotiinae later reaching Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, and the ancestor of the Eremiadini invading Africa in the mid-Miocene. The Lacertini spread through much of their present European range and diversified, perhaps largely by repeated vicariance, around 12–16 My ago, producing the ancestors of the present mainly small-bodied genera, which then underwent often modest speciation. Three units spread more widely: the Lacerta-Timon clade of large-bodied lizards probably dispersed earliest, followed by Algyroides and then Podarcis. Overall, European Lacertidae show a pattern of repeated spread, often accompanied by restriction of previous groups. Expansion of Lacertini may have displaced earlier lacertid lineages from all or much of Europe; while spread of Podarcis may have restricted many other genera of Lacertini. The earlier expansion of the Lacerta-Timon clade probably did not have this effect, as difference in adult body size restricted competitive interaction with other forms. Several invasions of more distant areas also occurred: of East Asia by Takydromus over 10 My ago, and more recently of northwest Africa by Podarcis, Scelarcis and Timon, and Madeira by Teira. Relationships within the Eremiadini estimated from both mtDNA, and nDNA differ considerably from those based on morphology. They indicate relatively mesic forms may have diversified widely across Africa and given rise to at least three independent invasions of arid habitats. MtDNA also indicates that Lacerta andreanskyi belongs in the Eremiadini and may occupy a basal position there. It is assigned to a further new genus, Atlantolacerta gen. nov.

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Revealing biodiversity allows the accurate determination of the underlying causes of many biological processes such as speciation and hybridization. These processes contain many complex patterns, especially in areas with high species diversity. As two of the prominent zoogeographic areas, Anatolia and Caucasus are also home to the genus Darevskia, which has a complex morphological structure and parthenogenetic speciation. Darevskia valentini and D. rudis are two largely distributed taxa of this genus, both of which have a controversial taxonomic delimitation. Here we performed both a highly detailed morphological comparison and a molecular evaluation for the populations in both species groups. The most comprehensive taxonomic revision of this complex was carried out to determine the cases where the data obtained were compatible or not with each approach. As a result of the obtained outputs, it seems that D. spitzenbergerae stat. nov., D. mirabilis stat. nov. and D. obscura stat. nov. should be accepted as the species level, this later with subspecies D. o. bischoffi comb. nov. and D. o. macromaculata comb. nov.. Also, we propose two new taxa: D. josefschmidtleri sp. nov. and D. spitzenbergerae wernermayeri ssp. nov.. It has also been shown that “lantzicyreni” subspecies belong to D. rudis instead of D. valentini. The extensive revision has contributed to subsequent studies to more accurately understand the past histories of species in the genus Darevskia.

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All the Turkish populations studied, both those previously assigned to D. dryada (Subaşı and Yoldere villages, near Hopa) and those attributed to D. clarkorum (the largest sample studied so far, 177 specimens in total), are indistinguishable from each other and therefore must all be ascribed to the natural variability of a monotypic D. clarkorum. The Georgian specimens from the Type Locality of D. dryada (Charnaly river gorge, Chevachauri district) are clearly different, so that taxon cannot be considered a simple synonym for D. clarkorum, but as a valid taxon, although its proper status (more probably as a subspecies of D. clarkorum), is yet to be clarified. It is a highly threatened population, so studies should be done in vivo or with as low intrusiveness as possible.

Darevskia dryada is clearly larger (SVL) than any D. clarkorum studied, with strongly longer heads and pilei in adult males (and hence more teeth in dentary bone), and higher dorsalia counts. There also seem to be (but need to be studied in a larger sample) more longitudinal rows of temporal scales between tympanic and parietal plates, a tendency to have more supralabial scales; comparatively smaller values for longitudinal rows of scales on the ventral surface of the thigh between the femoral pores and the outer row of enlarged scales, and higher collaria, and circumanalia scales. Other differences in femoralia and gularia are also reflected in Darevsky & Tuniyev’s (1997) tables and should also be investigated with more Georgian specimens.

Two supposed discriminant characters, the frontonasal index and the presence of developed masseteric, are not valid. The frontonasal index does not discriminate both taxa; D dryada specimens fall inside the variation of D. clarkorum for this character. Also the presence of a developed masseteric plate is supposed to be rare if at all in D. clarkorum but always present in D. dryada; however, it appears in nearly 75% of D. clarkorum studied and in all D. dyada, so is also no longer valid for taxa discrimination.

Although very similar, D. clarkorum and D. dryada are morphologically different, and genetic studies (as the unpublished results mentioned by Fu, 1999) do not make the provenance of the specimens clear, and hence the correct identification of the supposed specimens of D. dryada used.

There are no geographical clines in D. clarkorum. However, as stated by Schmidtler et al. (2002), there is an inverse relationship between altitude and dorsalia values in D. clarkorum. Both the general differentiation between populations and the scalation (dorsalia) appear statistically correlated with the altitude and also with latitude (being both factors not strictly the same). The correlation seems to be stronger with morphology in general (multiple scalation characters and head biometry) than only with dorsalia. In the case of the general differentiation among samples, it is also significantly correlated with temperatures during the activity period (April-September) and with precipitation during incubation (July-August). As these climatic parameters of temperature and precipitation are not directly correlated with the dorsalia variation, the relation with altitude (and perhaps latitude) must be linked to some other climatic parameter not studied here, perhaps solar radiation or evapotranspiration.

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All the Turkish populations studied, both those previously assigned to D. dryada (Subaşı and Yoldere villages, near Hopa) and those attributed to D. clarkorum (the largest sample studied so far, 177 specimens in total), are indistinguishable from each other and therefore must all be ascribed to the natural variability of a monotypic D. clarkorum. The Georgian specimens from the Type Locality of D. dryada (Charnaly river gorge, Chevachauri district) are clearly different, so that taxon cannot be considered a simple synonym for D. clarkorum, but as a valid taxon, although its proper status (more probably as a subspecies of D. clarkorum), is yet to be clarified. It is a highly threatened population, so studies should be done in vivo or with as low intrusiveness as possible. Darevskia dryada is clearly larger (SVL) than any D. clarkorum studied, with strongly longer heads and pilei in adult males (and hence more teeth in dentary bone), and higher dorsalia counts. There also seem to be (but need to be studied in a larger sample) more longitudinal rows of temporal scales between tympanic and parietal plates, a tendency to have more supralabial scales; comparatively smaller values for longitudinal rows of scales on the ventral surface of the thigh between the femoral pores and the outer row of enlarged scales, and higher collaria, and circumanalia scales. Other differences in femoralia and gularia are also reflected in Darevsky & Tuniyev’s (1997) tables and should also be investigated with more Georgian specimens. Two supposed discriminant characters, the frontonasal index and the presence of developed masseteric, are not valid. The frontonasal index does not discriminate both taxa; D. dryada specimens fall inside the variation of D. clarkorum for this character. Also the presence of a developed masseteric plate is supposed to be rare if at all in D. clarkorum but always present in D. dryada; however, it appears in nearly 75% of D. clarkorum studied and in all D. dyada, so is also no longer valid for taxa discrimination. Although very similar, D. clarkorum and D. dryada are morphologically different, and genetic studies (as the unpublished results mentioned by Fu, 1999) do not make the provenance of the specimens clear, and hence the correct identification of the supposed specimens of D. dryada used. There are no geographical clines in D. clarkorum. However, as stated by Schmidtler et al. (2002), there is an inverse relationship between altitude and dorsalia values in D. clarkorum. Both the general differentiation between populations and the scalation (dorsalia) appear statistically correlated with the altitude and also with latitude (being both factors not strictly the same). The correlation seems to be stronger with morphology in general (multiple scalation characters and head biometry) than only with dorsalia. In the case of the general differentiation among samples, it is also significantly correlated with temperatures during the activity period (April-September) and with precipitation during incubation (July-August). As these climatic parameters of temperature and precipitation are not directly correlated with the dorsalia variation, the relation with altitude (and perhaps latitude) must be linked to some other climatic parameter not studied here, perhaps solar radiation or evapotranspiration.

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In this study, we re-examine the Darevskia parvula group comprehensively using morphology, osteology and mitochondrial phylogeny, and describe a new endemic species from Turkey: Darevskia tuniyevi sp. nov. A total of 257 adult specimens were evaluated for external morphology (scalation and biometry) with univariate (descriptive statistics and ANOVA with post-hoc tests) and multivariate (Discriminant Analysis and ANOSIM) analyses. In parallel, osteological data and molecular analyses using three DNA markers (mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cyt-b, nuclear Rag-1) were used to complete the description of the new taxon. The molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that the D. parvula group is composed of three taxa as D. parvula, D. adjarica and D. tuniyevi sp. nov., and showed that D. adjarica and D. tuniyevi sp. nov. are reciprocal sister taxa. On the other hand, D. adjarica is morphologically very different from other two forms, while D. parvula is hardly distinguishable externally from D. tuniyevi sp. nov. Therefore, we can consider that D. parvula and D. tuniyevi sp. nov. are cryptic species. These two cryptic species retain their primitive morphology within the group, while D. adjarica has changed, perhaps due to different bioclimatic conditions in its Pleistocene refuge and current area.

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Die Pyrenäenarten von Archaeolacerta s.l. (A. aranica, A. aurelioi und A. bonnali) unterscheiden sich von den übrigen Arten der Eurasiatischen Radiationslinie (sensu MAYER & BENYR 1994) durch den Besitz knöcherner Rippen im Bereich des dritten Präsakralwirbels. Die drei Pyrenäenarten zeigen in der Morphologie von Postorbitale und Postfrontale jeweils osteologische Verschiedenheiten, die Artniveau erreichen und ihre zweifelsfreie Unterscheidung erlauben. Auch finden sich Unterscheidungsmerkmale im Schultergürtel (Klavikel und Sternalfontanella). Apomorphe Merkmale innerhalb der kaukasischen ´Lacerta` saxicola – Gruppe stellen deutliche Unterschiede sowohl gegenüber den Archaeolacerten Europas (fast immer einzusätzlicher Präsakralwirbel) als auch gegenüber Apathya (ein zusätzlicher Präsakralwirbel und eine verminderte Anzahl von Prämaxillarzähnen) dar. ´L.` chlorogaster unterscheidet sich von den übrigen kaukasischen Formen klar durch die Zahl der Prämaxillarzähne und Form der Interklavikel. Die parthenogenetischen Taxa zeigen deutliche Ähnlichkeiten (Modalwerte der Wirbelzahl, Morphologie des Postorbitale) zu ihrem Elternarten, besonders zur weiblichen Elternart. Aufgrund der osteologischen Befunde wird deutlich, daß die europäischen, vorläufig in der Sammelgattung Archaeolacerta s.l. vereinigten Taxa keine natürliche Einheit darstellen. Die Formen der Pyrenäen und des Kaukasus erscheinen osteologisch deutlich differenziert, während die iberischen, balkanischen und tyrrhenischen Taxa in den untersuchten Strukturen nur synplesiomorphe Merkmalsausprägungen gemeinsam haben, die keine Aussagen über ihre Verwandtschaft ermöglichen.

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Archaeolacerta s. l., in the currently utilized sense results to be a polyphyletic taxon, composed of three monophyletic and phylogenetically well differentiated taxa: a)-Archaeolacerta (s. str.) Mertens, 1921, which includes three species: A. bedriagae, A. oxycephala, and A. mosorensis, distributed by the northern part of the Central Mediterranean (Corsica, Sardinia, and west Balcanic Peninsula). His most related genera seem to be Teira (his adelphotaxon in our study), Apathya, and Omanosaura. b)-Iberolacerta gen. nov., with two subgenera: Iberolacerta s. str. and Pyrenesaura subgen. nov. includes six species: I. monticola, I. cyreni, I. bonnali, I. aranica, I. aurelioi, and I. horvathi. They are distributed by the mountains of Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Central and Eastern Alps and the north of the Dinaric Chains). His adelphotaxon are the Caucasian and Near East species of Darevskia gen. nov. c)-The third taxa is Darevskia gen. nov., which includes the species of the `L.` saxicola complex besides `L.` derjugini, `L.` praticola, and `L.` chlorogaster. They are distributed by Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Near East. Other clear relationships among some taxa of the Eurasian Radiation [= `Eurasische linie` from (Mayer and Benyr, 1994)] have been found: Algyroides seems to be the sister group of the species considered of uncertain phylogenetic relationships belonging to the `L.` danfordi-laevis group and of Podarcis. `L.` brandtii seems to be a very primitive species within the Eurasian Radiation. Omanosaura and Apathya appear as sister taxa. `L.` graeca occupies a very basal position in the sister group of Podarcis and relatives (see above). `L.` andreanskyi is the sister species of the Darevskia nov. and Iberolacerta nov. clade. The assimilation of `L.` andreanskyi to Teira is very problematic. Also the `L.` parva group seems to be related to Timon. Some groups of species like `L.` brandtii, `L.` parva-fraasii and `L.` danfordi-laevis probably merit generic rank, but it is necessary a more deep study before to take a decision.

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In this paper we deal on the ultraviolet color (invisible to us): where we can find it, the capability of animals to see it and the advantages that this color perception offers to them. As the simplest way to detect it is the photography, we describe and review how to photograph the UV, as a result of 15 years of amateur experience, searching and testing nearly in complete blindness due to the lack of practical information about “how to do it”. We describe the different kinds of photography (chemical and digital); the cameras and objectives suitable (both astronomically expensive ones and cheap options); what are the best characteristics that the objectives should have for this purpose; the films suitable for their use in chemical photography; the different filters (current or discontinued) manufactured along the years; and the subtle combinations among the different materials to obtain pure UV photographs. This kind of scientific photography is mainly used in forensics, forgery detection, art dermatology and less in Natural History, despite the fact that a great part of animals see this color and use it in important questions of their biology as the social behavior, mate choice or the food search.

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Caucasilacerta Harris, Arnold et Thomas, 1998 has been considered as a nomen nudum for the last 18 years. The main reason for this was the lack of a diagnosis or reference to it. Now, some authors argue that a paragraph in the same paper could be a valid diagnosis and thus Caucasilacerta might be an available valid name. In the present manuscript I demonstrate that Caucasilacerta is a nomen nudum by: a) the lack of diagnosis or reference to it accompanying (sic! mandatory in the ICZN) to the new name; b) the alleged diagnosis (fide Busack et al., 2016) is 102 lines away (two pages, including a figure and its legend) and there is not a reference to it accompanying the new name; and c) the subject of the alleged diagnosis are “the Rock-dwelling lacertids in the Caucasus” (sic.!), different from the group to which the new name supposedly refers to, the “L. saxicola group” (sic!). A relationship between both names that can only be ascertained by a specialist in the group and the concerned geographic area. As a result of that, Caucasilacerta is a nomen nudum, unavailable, and thus it is not even a Junior Synonym of Darevskia Arribas, 1997.

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Busack et al. (2016) concluded that the name Darevskia should be attributed to Arribas (1999) instead of Arribas (1997), rendering the latter name a junior synonym of Caucasilacerta Harris et al. (1998). In this paper, we provide a detailed answer to Busack et al. (2016) and argue that Arribas (1997) fulfilled the publication requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) in place in 1997 and, therefore, Darevskia Arribas, 1997 is a valid name. In order to clarify this issue, a case has been submitted to the ICZN. To avoid unnecessary confusion in Old World Lacertid taxonomy, we recommend that until the commission rules on this case, Arribas (1997) should continue to be considered the authority of both Darevskia and Iberolacerta.

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The purpose of this application under Articles 78.1 and 81 of the Code is to request the Commission to use its plenary power to choose among two alternatives in order to preserve the genus name Darevskia and nomenclatural stability. In Alternative A, the Commission is asked to accept the microfiche publication (Arribas, 1997) as a published work in the sense of the Code and made available the names included therein, placing Iberolacerta Arribas, 1997 and Darevskia Arribas, 1997 on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology, their type species on the Official List of Specific Names in Zoology, and the microfiche edition of Arribas (1997) on the Official List of Works Approved as Available for Zoological Nomenclature. This action will promote stability, as both names are widely accepted and, if the 1997 publication in microfiche is considered unavailable, then Darevskia Arribas, 1997 could potentially be threatened by Caucasilacerta Harris et al., 1998 (by authors who would not consider this name a nomen nudum), which would clearly disrupt stability. Not only would this alternative be the best way to preserve nomenclatural stability as stressed in the ICZN Preamble and repeated in several Articles of the Code, but it would also be the only way to ensure that these names (available at the time of their publication) remain available after the retroactive changes that have been introduced between the third and fourth editions of the Code. If Alternative A is chosen, both Iberolacerta and Darevskia become available from Arribas (1997). In Alternative B, the microfiche publication (Arribas, 1997) is considered invalid and placed on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature. Both Iberolacerta and Darevskia would be considered published in Arribas (1999). Also, the Commission is asked to place on the Official Index of Rejected Generic Names in Zoology the name Caucasilacerta Harris et al., 1998 (as a nomen nudum due to the lack of a valid diagnosis) and to place on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology the names Iberolacerta Arribas, 1999 and Darevskia Arribas, 1999.

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The intraspecific variability of Darevskia parvula (which has two classical subspecies easily identifiable by external characteristics, D. p. parvula and D. p. adjarica), was studied using various approaches including morphology (scalation and biometry), multivariate analyses (PCA, CDA, ANOSIM, UPGMA and MST), osteology, and molecular techniques. High mitochondrial distance, differences at the nuclear level and morphological distinctiveness warrant the specific status of both taxa, Darevskia parvula (Lantz & Cyrén, 1913) and Darevskia adjarica (Darevsky & Eiselt, 1980) stat. nov. A lectotype for D. parvula, originally described with syntypes of both species -D. parvula and D. adjarica- is designated. The uncorrected genetic distance between D. parvula and D. adjarica in the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene is 14.4% ± 1.9%. Intraspecific variability within D. parvula is very small (1.5% ± 0.5%), and was not detected in our samples of D. adjarica. The two species further differ by two mutations in the nuclear melano-cortin 1 receptor (mc1r) gene. Interestingly, past introgression of D. parvula mitochondrial haplotypes (5% ± 1% different to those currently known) into some D. adjarica has been detected in one locality; all the studied specimens of D. adjarica with mtDNA of D. parvula are unmistakably D. adjarica at the morphological and nuclear levels. Morphologically, there is almost no overlap between D. parvula and D. adjarica. These results are corroborated by CDA, MST and UPGMA trees. Specimens of the inland high mountain population of Ardahan (clearly D. adjarica in CDA, MST and UPGMA trees) occupy a somewhat intermediate position between both taxa in the PCA (when specimens and not populations as a whole are considered), but this morphological closeness may be attributed to the influence of climatic factors (continental conditions) on scalation of the specimens. Males appear to be more differentiated than females. Overlap among samples within each species is very marked; none can be separated clearly from its conspecifics. This is even more marked in D. parvula, which has a fairly small area compared to D. adjarica. Darevskia parvula and D. adjarica samples appear to be homogeneously clustered within species and well separated between the two species in the UPGMA trees. In males and females all the D. parvula samples are very similar and moderately differentiated. In males of D. adjarica, the most differentiated seems to be adjBorçka, the others all being clustered together, with adjÇaykara showing slightly more differentiation from the rest (adjOrtacalar, adjArdahan, adjIkizdere and adjÇermik). Darevskia adjarica females are also similarly distributed into two subgroups, one including Borçka, Çermik and Ardahan and the other including Ortacalar, Ikizdere and Çaykara. In both sexes, the inland Ardahan sample clearly belongs to D. adjarica. From the most connected MST samples, speculations can be made about areas of origin and expansion of the different taxa. Ortacalar (D. adjarica) and Hatila (D. parvula) are the most connected (morphologically more “central” in both taxa); in fact, both populations are relatively close, living on the northern (Black Sea) and southern (Anatolian) facing slopes, respectively of the Doğu Karadeniz Mountains (Kaçkar Mountains). This highlights these mountains, which rise from sea level up to nearly 4000 m asl. and have wide buffering possibilities against climate changes, as a zone of refuge and posterior dispersion of this species, and even of the original splitting into two taxa adapted to these different conditions, D. adjarica on the coast and D. parvula on the continental slope. Osteologically D. parvula and D. adjarica are very similar, although Georgian specimens from an isolated population (Atskuri) have closed clavicles not found in Turkish D. adjarica. Also, inland Ardahan D. adjarica have an extra vertebra in both males and females, compared to the other studied specimens from both species. ARRIBAS ET AL. 72 · Zootaxa 4472 (1) © 2018 Magnolia Press The present study indicates that the situation in Turkey is that D. parvula is well differentiated and lives around the Çoruh River Valley, contoured by D. adjarica populations on the coastal-facing slopes of the Doğu Karadeniz Mountains on one side, and the Yalnızçam Mountains on the other side, where D. adjarica enters from Georgia as the opposite extreme of a geographic distribution. The attribution of more inland ranges to D. parvula or D. adjarica, as well as the detailed genetic structure of both taxa may be confirmed with more specific studies.

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A broad sample of Darevskia rudis from the main part of its range was reviewed with regard to external morphology (dis-criminant, UPGMA, MST and ANOVA analyses) and osteology. Darevskia bithynica is raised to species rank, with two subspecies: D. b. bithynica and D. b. tristis. The other subspecies are fairly similar (D. r. rudis being the most different). Two singular populations are described as subspecies: D. r. mirabilis ssp. nov. from Kaçkar Mountains, geographically adjoins the otherwise different D. r. bischoffi and D. r. bolkardaghica ssp. nov., which is geographically isolated but that seems to be very closely related to D. r. obscura.

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The infection of blood parasites rock lizards of genus Darevskia depending on the environment was studied. The bisexual (D. valentini) and parthenogenetic (D. armeniaca) species and their interpopulation differences depending on the infestation were compared.

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Unisexual all-female lizards of the genus Darevskia that are well adapted to various habitats are known to reproduce normally by true parthenogenesis. Although they consist of unisexual lineages and lack effective genetic recombination, they are characterized by some level of genetic polymorphism. To reveal the mutational contribution to overall genetic variability, the most straightforward and conclusive way is the direct detection of mutation events in pedigree genotyping. Earlier we selected from genomic library of D. unisexualis two polymorphic microsatellite containg loci Du281 and Du215. In this study, these two loci were analyzed to detect possible de novo mutations in 168 parthenogenetic offspring of 49 D. unisexualis mothers and in 147 offspring of 50 D. armeniaca mothers . No mutant alleles were detected in D. armeniaca offspring at both loci, and in D. unisexualis offspring at the Du215 locus. There were a total of seven mutational events in the germ lines of four of the 49 D. unisexualis mothers at the Du281 locus, yielding the mutation rate of 0.1428 events per germ line tissue. Sequencing of the mutant alleles has shown that most mutations occur via deletion or insertion of single microsatellite repeat being identical in all offspring of the family. This indicates that such mutations emerge at the early stages of embryogenesis. In this study we characterized single highly unstable (GATA)n containing locus in parthenogenetic lizard species D. unisexualis. Besides, we characterized various types of mutant alleles of this locus found in the D. unisexualis offspring of the first generation. Our data has shown that microsatellite mutations at highly unstable loci can make a significant contribution to population variability of parthenogenetic lizards.

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Die Eidechsenfauna Armeniens setzt sich nach aktuellem Wissensstand aus 17 Arten aus fünf Gattungen zusammen. Die am stärksten vertretene Gattung ist Darevskia mit neun Arten. Davon sind fünf zweigeschlechtlich (D. nairensis, D. portschinskii, D. praticola, D. valentini) und vier Arten parthenogenetisch (D. armeniaca, D. dahli, D. rostombekovi, D. unisexualis). Neben Kurzbeschreibungen der Arten teilen wir unsere Beobachtungen einer Exkursion im Jahr 2015 mit.

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Animals communicate via a variety of sensory channels and signals. Studies on acoustic and visual communication systems suggest that differences in the physical environment contribute to the variety of signalling behaviour, with species investing in those signals that are transmitted best under the local conditions. Whether or not environmental tuning also occurs in chemical communication systems has received much less attention. In the present study, we examined the effect of several aspects of the physical environment on the chemical communication system of lacertid lizards (family Lacertidae). The numbers of femoral pores are used as a proxy reflecting how much a particular species invests in and relies upon chemical signalling. Femoral pores are specialized epidermal structures that function as a secretion channel for the waxy substance produced by glands. In some lacertid species, the secretion carries infochemicals that play an important role in social communication. The number of femoral pores varies considerably among species. We have compiled data on femoral pore numbers for 162 species and tested for the effects of climate and substrate use. After correcting for body size and taking the phylogenetic relationships among the species into account, we found no effect of climate conditions or latitude on species pore numbers. Substrate use did affect pore numbers: shrub-climbing species tended to have fewer femoral pores than species inhabiting other substrates.

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The new subspecies is fouпd in the mauпtain regions of south-eastern Georgia and northern Armenia. It differs from the nominative form Ьу а much darker соlош of the body upper side and Ьу certain peculiarities of the squamous cover.

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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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Die Autotren berichten über zwei Aufsammlungen von Amphibien und Reptilien aus dem Gebiet der ostanatolischen Städte Erzurum, Iğdir, Kars und Ardahan. Das Material umfaßt drei Anurentaxa, eine Schildkrötenform, 11 Eidechsen- und 11 Schlangenarten in 172 Exemplaren. Aufgelistete Arten: Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda complex, Rana camerani, Testudo graeca armeniaca, Phrynocephalus persicus, Eremias pleskei, Eremias strauchi, Lacerta agilis brevicaudata, Parvilacerta parva, Darevskia parvula, Darevskia raddei, Darevskia valentini valentini, Darevskia uzzelli, Lacerta trilineata, Ophisops elegans, Typhlops vermicularis, Eryx jaculus turcicus, Haemorrhois ravergieri, Hierophis schmidti, Platyceps najadum, eirenis modestus, Eirenis punctatolineatus, Coronella austriaca, natrix natrix persa, Natrix tessellata, Vipera wagneri.

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Head shape plays a crucial role in ecological and evolutionary processes in lizards, and scientists have studied head shape using traditional and 3D geometric morphometrics. Lizards are classic subjects for ecological studies because closely related and ecologically similar species coexist. Sympatric species tend to show higher levels of morphological divergence compared to allopatric species. In this study, we focus on two parthenogenetic Darevskia species (Darevskia dahli and Darevskia armeniaca) that share a maternal species, Darevskia mixta, but have different paternal species (Darevskia portschinskii and Darevskia valentini). We aim to assess the relative importance of morphologically inheritable traits and environmental conditions on head shape in these parthenogenetic species. Specifically, we aim to determine whether local adaptations or intermediate phenotypes between parental species drive head shape variation in parthenogens. To accomplish this, we analyze the head shapes of samples from both parthenogens, their paternal species, and their common maternal species from 3 sites in Georgia. Our study shows that certain aspects of head shape are associated with body size and habitat climate, with high mountain species exhibiting larger and deeper heads with stronger jaws regardless of breeding mode. In addition, both parthenogens exhibit narrower and more elongated jaw areas, flatter mandibles, and thus weaker jaws compared to females of their maternal and paternal species.

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We compared the life history components of small and large-bodied unisexual (Darevskia dahli and Darevskia armeniaca) and bisexual (Darevskia portschinskii, Darevskia valentini, and Darevskia obscura) Caucasian rock lizard species. Research objectives were to determine whether reproductive mode (bisexual or parthenogenetic), female body size, altitude and landscape of the habitat, or interaction of these factors determine the relative investment of energy into a single reproduction, number, and relative size of eggs. The research revealed the differences between two parthenogenetic species and their paternal bisexual lizards. However, the pattern did not coincide for the two studied lineages i.e., parthenogenetic D. armeniaca invests relatively more resources into reproduction than its paternal D. valentini. Simultaneously, reproductive effort of parthenogenetic D. dahli did not differ from its paternal D. portschinskii. Instead, D. dahli tended to produce more but lighter eggs than D. portschinskii. In both cases, the parthenogenetic form tended to follow a r-reproductive strategy, typical for lizards occupying less stable environments than their parental species. However, other interspecific differences such as body size or evolutionary distance shade these differences, and determine the pattern of divergence between a parthenogen and its bisexual relative. In particular, smaller body size constrains increased the reproductive effort, and parthenogenetic species shifted to a balance between egg size and number rather than between resources invested into a single reproduction event and the probability to survive until the next season.

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Two species of rock lizards, the parthenogenetic D. dahli and the sexually reproducing D. portschinskii, coexist in a rocky outcrop in an area of ca. 1 ha, in the vicinity of Tbilisi, Georgia; the location has been well-known since the middle 1960s. The population density of the parthenogenetic lizard is five times higher than that of the sexual breeder. We studied the distribution of active lizards in space and time over three consecutive years, during the spring and autumn activity periods, to explore spatial and temporal differ-ences between the species on a fine spatial scale. We studied the influence of temperature, humidity, and quantitative characteristics of the surface and the distance from permanent water source on the spatial distribution of D. dahli and D. portschinskii. Darevskia portschinskii was less dependent on the distance from the water source and more evenly distributed in space and time than D. dahli. Despite potential competitive interactions, the species did not avoid each other on the microhabitat scale, suggesting that the observed ecological differences are not caused by a niche shift. More individuals of the sexual breeder than individuals of the parthenogen were found in suboptimal habitats. This feature may increase the evolutionary success of D. portschinskii in a long-term perspective.

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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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Fourty two lizard species are distrubuted in Turkey. In this study, ıt is aimed that seven host species of Lacertidae family are determined helminth fauna -D. armeniaca (Hemşin lizard), D. derjugini (Artvin lizard), D. parvula (Gürcü lizard), D. raddei (Radde lizard), D. rudis (Trabzon lizard), D. unisexualis (Ağrı lizard), D. valentini (Valentin lizard). It was applied firstly classical taxonomy to morphological characters and then DNA sequence analysis in determining fauna. Ten species identified are member of phylum: Nematoda. These species are: two of genus; Skrjabinodon medinae, S. alcaraziensis, Spauligodon sp., S. carbonelli, S. aloisei, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni, Strongyloides darevsky, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Thubunae sp., Acuaridae larva; 2 Sestod Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides spp. and 1 Akantosefal Sphaerirostris scanensis. Totally 13 helminth species are reported. It has been confirmed that present of parasite species identified according to morphological, anatomical and ecological characteristics with determining target genom of helminthes. The results of morphologic and molecular support each other. Four species- one of them is larva-of identified 13 helminth species are new record of Turkish helminth fauna.

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In this study, we assessed the helminth fauna of seventy two Valentin’s Lizard, Darevskia valentini (32♂♂, 35♀♀, 5 subadult). Specimens collected from Kayseri, Ardahan and Van Provinces in Turkey. As a result of the present study, it was detected that forty one hosts are infected with one or more species of helminth. Two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides spp., and 5 species of Nematoda, Spauligodon aloisei, Skrjabinodon alcaraziensis, Skrjabinodon medinae, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni and Strongyloides darevsky were found in the hosts. D. valentini represents a new host record for all helminths recorded. Skrjabinodon alcaraziensis is recorded for the first time from Turkey. Van, Kayseri and Ardahan are new locality records for all helminths from D. valentini.

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The present study investigated the composition of helminth parasites of Darevskia rudis, Spiny Tailed Lizard from Turkey. One hundred and two samples (49♀♀, 53♂♂) from the Tokat, Trabzon, Rize, Gümüşhane and Artvin Provinces were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a result of the present study, seven species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Spauligodon carbonelli, Spauligodon aloisei, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni, Strongyloides darevsky, Oswaldocruzia filiformis; one species of Cestoda, Mesocestoides spp. (tetrathyridium) and one species of Acanthocephala Sphaerirostris scanensis were reported from the lizard samples. Sp. carbonelli and Sphaerirostris scanensis are here recorded for the first time in Turkey. D. rudis is the new host recorded for Sk. medinae, Spauligodon sp., Sp. carbonelli, Sp. aloisei from Nematoda, Mesocestoides spp. from Cestoda and Sphaerirostris scanensis from Acanthocephala. This host has been studied for the first time for the helminth parasites from the Tokat and Gümüşhane Provinces. There is, to our knowledge, only one report of helminthes for D. rudis in Turkey.

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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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An analysis based on 55 specimens of Lacerta derjugini from different localities on the southern slope of the Great Caucasus, all situated in the territory of the Georgian SSR/USSR, lead to the following results: 1. The distribution area of Lacerta derjugini boehmei BISCHOFF, 1982, is restricted to the westernmost part of the southern slope of the Caucasus. 2. Apart from the type locality (Suchumi) Lacerta derjugini abchasica BISCHOFF, 1982, also exists in the river valleys of the Kodori and Inguri. 3. The lizards living in the eastern part of the distribution area are described here as Lacerta derjugini orlowae ssp.n. (type locality: Pasanauri).

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In Georgia, 16 species of rock lizards of the Genus Darevskia are occuring (D. alpina, D. „armeniaca`, D. brauneri, D. caucasica, D. clarkorum, D. daghestanica, D. „dahli`, D. derjugini, D. mixta, D. nairensis, D. parvula, D. portschinskii, D. praticola, D. rudis, D. „unisexualis` and D. Valentini). Besides short presentations of the single species and hints on their distribution and habitats, also some systematic remarks are given.

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A museum specimen misidentified as a common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, from Van Wert County, Ohio, USA was re-determined as a Caucasian rock lizard, Darevskia valentini. The specimen displays characteristics of Darevskia, the most notable of which are alternating broad and narrow whorls of scales around the tail. Scalation of the specimen is described and compared to sister taxa in detail.

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We report on new locality records of Darevskia derjugini from the Turkish Pontus Mountains south of Dereli (Giresun province) and near the monastery of Meryemana (Trabzon province). The record from Giresun province extends the Turkish distribution some 130 km to the west. Examination of comparative material questions the taxonomic status of Darevskia derjugini barani to some degree, since characters separating this taxon from D. d. derjugini appear extremely variable and variation of pholidosis may be correlated with climate.

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From Pallas to Darevsky: The exploration of the Caucasian herpetofauna using the example of the Saurians: The Caucasus, a wild mountain range bordering Europe and Asia, was a cue ball between the Russian, Ottoman and Persian empires up to the beginning of the 20th century. The general history of exploration was mainly initiated by the Russian governments and started at the end of the 18th century. The history of the discovery and exploration of the Caucasus, here especially of the Saurians, is documented. Our report is ending with the researches of Ilya S. Darevsky on the saxiculous lizards of the genus Darevskia in the 1960ies. From the northern and southern slopes of this mountain range (“Ciscaucasia” / “Transcaucasia”) 45 Saurian species are currently known. They belong to five families in which exactly two-thirds are members of the lacertids. These are the only ones having developed numerous species and subspecies in the Caucasian range, and among them, beside Lacerta agilis, especially the saxicolous lizards of the genus Darevskia are characteristical. 20 scientists are introduced on the basis of their most important publications and their profiles: Peter Simon Pallas (1741-1811), Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin (1744-1774), Johann Anton von Güldenstädt (1745-1781), Eduard von Eichwald (1795-1876), Edouard Ménétriés (1802-1861), Eduard Eversmann (1794-1860), Alexander von Nordmann (1803-1866), Moritz Wagner (1813-1887), Karl Kessler (1815-1881), Alexander Strauch (1832-1893), Jacques von Bedriaga (1854-1906), Gustav Radde (1831-1903), Oskar Boettger (1844-1910), Alexander Mikhailovitch Nikolsky (1858-1942), Ludwig von Méhely (1862-1953), George Albert Boulenger (1858-1937), Louis Amédée Lantz (1886-1953), Otto Cyrén (1878-1946), Ilya Sergeyevitch Darevsky (1924-2009) and Günther Peters (* 1932).

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Georgia, its history and the nature are briefly described. This is supplied by a short overview of the country`s herpetological fauna, with particular attention to the especially diverse family of true lizards. At the end, brief description of our common trip to Georgia (May - Juny 2002) is given.

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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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Lacertca raddei and Lacerta nairensis have been recognized as two separate species based on morphology and behavior, and each has been implicated as a sexual parent of different parthenogenetic forms. However, recent mitochondrial DNA work failed to distinguish these two as separate species. We examined genetic diversity at 36 allozyme loci from six populations of L. nairensis and four populations of L. raddei. There were no fixed allelic differences between the two. Mean heterozygosity was slightly higher among populations of L. raddei than among populations of L. nairensis. A Distance Wagner phenogram showed that the northernmost population of L. raddei clustered with the L. nairensis populations; the other L. raddei populations clustered together. We suggest that L. raddei and L. nairensis may not be separate species, a finding which has important implications for determining the origins of some parthenogenetic Lacerta.

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In the southern side of the Lipova Hills we found 11 amphibian species, 9 reptile species and 2 types of hybrid between amphibian species. The herpetofauna of the region contains lowland, hill and mountain related species. Also, in the area are present southern species in the vicinity of the northern limit of their distribution range, and related species in the mountainous areas, found at lower altitudes than usually. The mixture of mountain and lowland species is a consequence of the current aspect of the region, with wide valleys located between hill ridges, valleys that allow the advancement of these lowland species in the hill areas. The second aspect is a consequence of the history of the region. Currently the herpetofauna of the Lipova Hills is greatly advantaged by the relatively large forest covered areas.

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In the herpetological collection of ZFMK 528 scientific species group names are represented by type materi- al. Of these, 304 names are documented by primary type specimens (onomatophores) while for 224 further names sec- ondary type specimens (typoids) are available, ranging chronologically from 1801 to 2010. The list is a shortened pred- ecessor of a comprehensive type catalogue in progress. It lists name bearing types with their catalogue numbers includ- ing information on further type series members also in other institutions, while secondary types are listed only by pres- ence, both in ZFMK and other collections including holotype repositories. Geographic origin and currently valid names are also provided.

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1. Reinvestigation of the syntypes of Lacerta rudis BEDRIAGA 1886 (=nomen novum pro Lacerta depressa CAMERANO 1878, cf. BuDAK & BöHME 1977) and the comparison with a topotypical series show, that only one form is involved. As lectotype for the species, thus for the nominate form, too, the cf` specimen MIZS (Torino) 2737:1 is designated. 2. The populations of NE-Anatolia and Transcaucasia, so far misinterpreted as being the nominate form, represent a distinct form and are described as Lacerta rudis bischoffi n. subsp.

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L. unisexualis produces one clutch yearly, with 1 - 5 eggs (3.4 on average). Fertile egg measure 7.5 x 12.3 mm and weigh 0.43 g. The eggs grow to 11.1 x 18.9 am and 1.51 g and hatch after 51 days at 25°C und after 40 days at 29°C. The hatchlings measure 27 + 47 mm (snout-vent length + tail) and weigh 0.49 g. In captivity sexual maturity was reached in the second year. Some colour characteristics, especially blue axillary spots, are mentioned.

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Reproduetion of thc parthenogcnctic fonns Lacena armeniaca and Lacerta wzise.rtwlis undcr caplive conditions is documcnted. A short review of parthenogenesis is givcn and thc origin of known parthogcnctic forms with- in the genus Lacerta is discussed. Thc rcccnt- ly described fonns from castem Turkcy. Lacerta henclimalliensis and Lacerta sapphiri- tw. an: illustrated. Thc current common opinion is that partheno- gcnctic Lacerta fonns found in the eaucasus region are thc rcsult of crosses hetween diffe- rent species. Thc parental species of L. uni- .H`Xtwlis would he Locatanairensis (phenoty- pically vcry similar to L tmisexualis) and utn•rta mlemini. and for L. armeniaca prc- sumahly utcerta mixta and L mlemini. lt is rcmarkahlc that parthcnogenetic rcptilcs tcnd to he found in arcas wherc major cata- strophes occur regularly. or have occurred in the recent past. Thc ice agcs are mentioned in litcraturc as a possiblc factor driving par- thenogenesis in the eaucasus. The new Turkish uniscxual utcerta forms occur vcry close to a lakc which most prohably has histo- rically had major lluctuations in water leveL Unstahle water levels in rivers along which some L.uni.H`Xtwlis live. is mentioncd in litera- rature in thc samc context. In othcr words. an unstahlc cnvironment secms to fa`our parthe- nogcnetic forms. Data on capti`e animals rcfute some curious misconccptions conccrning parthcnogenctic lizards. lt is somelimes said that a minimum numhcr of animals is rcquired before repro- duetion occurs hut this has nol proven truc for L. armnziaca and L. tmise.rttalis. Partheno- gcnetic animals are said to die relativcly young. hut at six years of age my L unisexu- alis are still hcalthy and in lïne reproductive condition. Hushandry is reputed to be diftï- cult. hut this is nol so in L. lmisexualis: 68 young have heen reared from 80 eggs - I stop- ped incuhating thc cggs because of a major surplus in young. lt has heen proposed in literaturc that the suc- ccss of unisexual forms is partially related to time savcd hy nol copulating. Although some time may he saved in not needing to locale a mate. the time gain from nol performing courtship is small. as in closely rclated eaucasus spedes this takes only minutes. The assumption found in some literaturc that onc of the advantages parthenogcnetic forms have over their parental species is a shorter incuba- tion duration. is refutcd for L. unisexualis and partially for L. ttnneniaca (not having onc of the parental species. L mixta). Although hoth of these parthcnogenetic spe- cies are reputed to occur in high densities. it is often wrongly assumed that they are not aggressive. They are in fact quite aggressive towards other lizards as well as towards con- specitïcs during the reproductivc period. This is particularly ohvious immcdiatcly after ovi- position. when they chase off any intruder that comes too near them or the nest- some at- tackcd lizards have even lost legs in such encounters. Brecding of L amu•niaca proved dirticuit in that only four young resulted from ..J-3 eggs produced. Possihly a number of dcfects had accumulatcd in thc starting material: these fcmalcs all slmwed major pbolidosis anoma- lics. missing locs. and sornc had short. stuhby tails. Thc young showcd similar dcfects (with up to 15 tocs missing). The adults measured 51-62 rnm (hcadhody) + 57-152 mm (tail). Weigllls varicd from 4.9 g to 5.7 g outside the reproductivc scason (September). Each fenmie oviposited once a ycar (around Aprii-May). An average clutch contained 3.6 eggs (2-5 cggs): healthy cggs rneasured 7.6x 12.5 mm and wcighed 0.42 g at oviposition. The eggs rcached II.XxI6.X 111111 and 1.37 g during dcvclopmcnt. They hatched after 46 and 48 days whcn incuhatcd at 2Y`C. and after 37 days at 29°C. The ncwly hatched juveniles 111easured 25.5 111111 head-body + 25.7 mm tail (and thus had an ahnormal tail length in this sample). and wcighcd 0.43 g. The juveniles resembied thc adults hut for the blueish- greenish tails. and the Jack of bluespots on thc tlanks and on the outer vcntrals. They pro- oueed thcir lirst cggs in their secmld year. Husbandry of L. uni.,·e,rtwlis is remarkahly easy. None has shown the aberrations mentio- ned for L. an11e11iam. Of the eighty eggs incu- hated. 6X resultcd in healthy juveniles. Thc adult /.. tmisexualis measured 52-66 mm (head-hody) + 121-1-1-2 111111 (laiI). Wcights varied from 4.92 g to 7.72 g outside the repro- ductivc season (September). Each female ovi-posited once a year (a sec011d clutch of unfcr- tile eggs was twice found); around Aprii-May. An avcrage clutch contained 4-5 eggs. Healthy cggs measured 7.5x 12.3 mm and weighed 0.42 gat oviposition. These reached 10.9x 16.6 mm and 1.33 g during development. Eggs hatched after 48 days when incubated at 25°C, and after 38 days at 29°C. The newly hatched juveniles measured 27.0 mm (head-body) + 47.6 mm (tail), and weighed 0.46 g. The juve- niles resembied the adults but for the very vaguely blueish-greenish tails; they also lacked the yellowish ventral colour and the blue spots were still very pale. Young pro- duced their tirst fertile eggs in their second ycar. Both the eggs and the resulting juveniles in both species are slightly larger than in sexu- ally rcproducing lacertids of comparable size. This would confer a competitive advantage.

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The phenomenon of twins is very rare in lacertids. This conclusion was reached by looking at a recent instance of twins hatching from a single egg in Lacerta nairensis, an older but comparable occurrence in Algyroides fitzingeri, as well as my personal experience over many years of incubating lizard eggs. It is estimated that twins occur in 1:5000 to 1:500 eggs.

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The courtship of Lacerta chlorogaster includes a hind-leg bite, clearly different from the flank bite of Lacerta laevis. Each female can lay two clutches per year, with 3-6 eggs. The eggs measure 6.9 x 10.7 mm und have a weight of 0.31 g. They grow to 10.9 x 17.0 mm und 1.15 g. Hatchlings appear after 55 days at 25°C und 42 days at 29°C; they measure 24.3 + 40.0 mm (SV+T) und 0.34 g. Adult males change their colors from dull brown dorsally to gaudy green, three to four wecks after reappearing from hibernation. The greenish yellow ventral colour changes into blue-green. At mid June the bright colours fade relatively rapidly. In females und immature subadults the seasonal colour change is much less expressed.

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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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New material of Turkish rock-lizards of the rudis-group (Lacerta semcoZa-complex) can be assigned to the forms r. rudis, r. tristis and r. obscura; thus, the last named form is recorded for the first time for Turkey. Geographically intermediate samples could be interpreted as clinal, connecting r. rudis and r. tristis, but it turns out to be more likely, that there are two sympatric different taxa overlapping in the intermediate zone. This possibility which could not be proved until now leads to several extraordinaryly difficult nomenclatorial conclusions. They will be discussed further in a following contribution.

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It is a fact that the amphibians and reptiles respond to unfavourable weather conditions by searching an underground refuge to survive during winter. The current literature has shown that some species of reptilians and amphibians may become active before their known end of hibernation periods, especially in lowland areas. In the present study, it has been detected that the changing weather conditions in a highland area in Gümüshane, Turkey can cause similar effects on Lacerta media, Bufo bufo and Rana macrocnemis that share the same habitats. One of the reasons of the early activities of some reptilian and amphibian species before their known end of hibernation periods may be the high sensitivity of these species to the changing temperature conditions. Effects of global warming on reptilians and amphibians obvious, and some members of these animals can even be active during winter. This conclusion brings into mind that L. media, B. bufo and R. macrocnemis can continue to be active at highland areas as long as air temperature values allow them.

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In the present study, we investigated potential effects of some environmental climatic factors on life-history traits of two Darevskia parvula populations located at different elevation sites and evaluated age, body size, SSD and growth rate results in these lizards. The age at maturity and longevity were found to be similar in both populations. Males of the highland population had significantly larger snout-vent length and older age than those of the lowland population. Although the mean ages of females were not significantly different between the two populations, the highland population had significantly larger snout-vent length than the lowland population. Considering all individuals (both males and females), we found that specimens from the population in the higher-elevation site had significantly larger snout-vent length and older age than those of the lower-elevation site. A low level of male-biased sexual size dimorphism was observed in both populations. The growth coefficient was lower in the high-elevation site than the lower elevation site. Growth rates were not significantly different between the populations. Our preliminary results indicate that although our studied populations were located at different elevation sites and had distinct climate, longevity, age at sexual maturity and growth rate results were similar. This may be a reason of the lower male-biased sexual size dimorphism in both populations.

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We investigated age structure, body size and longevity in two breeding populations of Darevskia clarkorum inhabiting altitudes ranging from 450 m a.s.l. (Kamilet) to 2250 m a.s.l. (Basyayla) in Turkey by skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. The mean age was found to be 6 years in the Kamilet population and 7 years in the Basyayla population. The maximum life span was 10 years in the lowland population while it was 12 years in the highland population. Age at sexual maturity of both males and females was 1-2 years in the lowland population while it was 2-3 for both sexes in the highland population. Both age and SVL of specimens from the Kamilet population were significantly different between the sexes while age and SVL did not differ significantly between the sexes in Basyayla population. As a conclusion, we observed that the mean age, longevity and age at maturity were increased by altitude while there was a decrease based on the mean SVL in the highland population of D. clarkorum. Our data on body size, longevity and age at sexual maturity may contribute to conservation efforts for this endangered species.

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Background. From the genus Darevskia in the territory of Azerbaijan Republic noted 11 species (D. armeniaca, D. caucasica, D. chlorogaster, D. daghestanica, D. derjugini, D. portschinskii, D. praticola, D. raddei, D. rostombekovi, D. rudis, D. valentini). Information on the condition of rock lizards in the republic has not been updated for a long time. The aim of the work was to clarify the data on the distribution and abundance of these species in Azerbaijan.
Materials and methods. The research was carried in the Talysh Mountains (Lenkoran, Lerik and Yardimli districts of Azerbaijan in 2008–2011), in the Great Caucasus (Guba, Gusar, Gabala and Zagatala districts in 2013–2016), in the Minor Caucasus (Dashkesen, Gadabay and Tovuz districts in 2017–2018).
Results. On the basis of own data and analysis of literature sources the data on the distribution and number of rock lizards from the genus Darevskia in Azerbaijan are given. The authors note that the areas of forest lizards of the Talysh (D. chlorogaster and D. praticola hyrcanica) are being reduced and these species need legisla- tive protection. The extinct species for the territory of the Republic should be considered D. derjugini.

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A doctoral thesis presented in the late 1990s by óscar J. Arribas has been frequently cited as the authority for the nomenclatural status of two generic names in the lizard family Lacertidae, Darevskia and Iberolacerta. These names were again introduced, along with the addition of the subgeneric name Pyrenesaura, in 1999 via publication in an international, peer-reviewed journal. We discuss nomenclatural aspects of how these taxon names were presented, detail inconsistencies in the use of publication dates associated with these names, and resolve nomenclatural problems by demonstrating that the date of their first publication, in compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, was 1999. This renders the name Darevskia Arribas, 1999 a junior invalid synonym of Caucasilacerta Harris, Arnold & Thomas, 1998, which, contrary to previous assessment, is not a nomen nudum, and must replace Darevskia as the valid name for this genus.

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In this investigation, we aimed to determine the amphibian and reptile species distributed in Bartın province (Northwest Blacksea Region of Turkey). As a result of previously and current studies, we recorded two Urodela amphibian species (Ommatotriton ophryticus and Triturus ivanbureschi), six Anura amphibian species (Bufo bufo, Bufotes variabilis, Hyla orientalis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana macrocnemis and R. dalmatina), three turtle species (Emys orbicularis, Mauremys rivulata and Testudo graeca), four lizard species (Anguis fragilis, Darevskia rudis, Lacerta viridis and Podarcis muralis) and eight snake species (Coronella austriaca, Dolichophis caspius, Eirenis modestus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, N. megalocephala, Vipera transcaucasiana and Zamenis longissimus) in Bartın Province, which totally 23 species. There are no endemic species in our country among them. Natrix megalocephala is also a new record for Bartın province.

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Darevskia parvulais a rock lizard that is endemicfor Anatolia.The known distribution range of the species is limited on eastern and northeastern Anatolia. Although many morphological studies have been carried out onthe species, there are also molecular studies to construct its taxonomy in recent years. Four adult lizard specimens were collected from eastern Anatolia in 2016 during a herpetological field survey. We present a summary of a morphological features, and report new locality which is the westernmost record (Çayırlı Village, Erzincan) for D. parvula sensu lato in Turkey. Our finding largely extends the known distribution of the species.

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Taxonomy of the lacertid genus Darevskia has been complex since the first morphology-based studies. Darevskia valentini, mostly distributed in Turkey, currently includes three subspecies, but its interspecific and intraspecific taxonomic status has so far been shaped only by morphological evaluations, without molecular phylogenetic assessments. In this study, samples from the entire distribution of this species and its closest relatives were evaluated with molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multi-marker dataset, comprised of maternally-inherited mitochondrial and biparentally-inherited nuclear markers. We discovered two previously unrecognized genetically highly divergent lineages. The distinction of these two lineages is supported by gene trees, haplotype networks, divergence time estimation and species-delimitation analyses. We discuss possible taxonomic resolutions given that the phylogenies do not seem to agree with currently accepted taxonomy. Our results advance the knowledge of the ancestry of parthenogenesis as a result of past hybridization events between parental species pairs, because the paternal origin of some parthenogenetic species lies within the new lineages discovered here.

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Darevskia valentini is the most widely distributed species among the Caucasian rock lizard but the phylogenetic relationship among geographically distant populations is poorly known. W sequenced several mitochondrial (12S rRNA, COI an cyt b) andnuclear (MC1R and cmos) genes from 75 individual samples collected across Central and Eastern Turkey. In total, 349 bp of 12S rRNA, 615 bp of COI, 743 bp of cyt b of mtDNA and 620 bp of MC1R, 326 bp of cmos of nDNA were obtained. Additionally, 34 individuals from Georgia and Eastern Turkey were genotyped for 10 microsatellite loci. Phylogenetic analyses (ML and BI) produced trees with similar topologies including well-supported clades. One clade found in the area of Lake Van is clearly separated from others on the phylogenetic tree, and the respective population formed distinct STRUCTURE and PCA clusters in the microsatellite data. Our results may suggest that D. valentini, one of the most complex species in Darevskia genus, needs taxonomical revision at the subspecies level.

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This paper reports the isolation and characterization of twoHindIII repetitive DNA families from the genome of two lacertid lizards,Podarcis sicula andLacerta saxicola. These satellites did not appear to be related to each other. The consensus sequences of their monomeric units did not show any similarity, though both DNAs were A-T rich. Moreover, each of them was found only in closely related species. The monomeric unit of theHindIII DNA family isolated fromP. sicula (pLHS) showed a close resemblance to pLCS, a centromeric satellite DNA previously isolated from the same species; it was, however, mainly localized at pericentromeric, interstitial and telomeric levels. The results also provide interesting information on the systematics of the lacertids studied.

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Several Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevskia are well-known to reproduce parthenogenetically and have a hybrid origin. While one or more of these all-female parthenogens may monopolize local lizard communities, they may also occur in syntopy with bisexual members of the genus. In several localities, effective reproduction between bisexual and parthenogenetic Darevskia has been reported based on lizard intermediate morphology and karyology (3n, 4n) but frequency of such heterospecific matings is still unknown. In a mixed Darevskia community from Kuchak (Armenia) constituted by two parthenogens (D. armeniaca and D. unisexualis), one bisexual species (D. valentini) and their putative backcrosses, we indirectly quantified the reproductive interactions through the inspection of copulation marks in females. A total of 114 adult females were randomly collected, photographed and later inspected for inguinal marks. Females were measured (SVL) and their marks were ranked twice from 0 (no scars) to 3 (≥ 3 scars). The lizard determination and ploidy was ensured by microsatellites analysis. All female types displayed copulation marks with frequencies varying from 61% in the parthenogenetic D. armeniaca to 30% in the bisexual D. valentini; remarkably, 7 out of 11 (64%) backcross females also had marks. In the most abundant D. armeniaca, the prevalence and intensity of copulation marks increased with size, just as expected for normal female lacertids. These results indicate that copulation of parthenogenetic Darevskia in mixed communities with bisexual species is not an isolate event, thus reinforcing previous suggestions of massive reproductive interaction in syntopy. Evolutionary perspectives of this phenomenon are discussed.

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Several Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevskia of hybrid origin are known to reproduce parthenogenetically. Local communities can be composed exclusively of parthenogens, though syntopy with bisexual members of the genus may occur. In some localities, reproduction between bisexual and parthenogenetic Darevskia has been previously reported based on lizard intermediate morphology and karyology (3n, 4n). However, the frequency of such heterospecific matings remains unknown. We indirectly quantified the reproductive interactions through the inspection of copulation marks in females in a mixed Darevskia community from Kuchak (Armenia) composed of two hybrid parthenogens (D. armeniaca and D. unisexualis), one bisexual species (D. valentini) and their putative backcrosses. A total of 139 adults were randomly collected and photographed. Females were later measured (SVL), inspected for inguinal marks and ranked from 0 (no scars) to 3 (≥ 3 scars). The lizard species and ploidy determination was ensured by a parallel microsatellite analysis. Sex-ratio in the community was extremely biased due to the high abundance of parthenogenetic females. All female types displayed copulation marks with frequencies varying from 80% in D. valentini to 64% in D. armeniaca. Remarkably, 7 out of 11 (64%) backcross females also showed marks. In the most abundant D. armeniaca, the prevalence and intensity of copulation marks increased with body size, just as predicted for polygynous female lacertids. These results indicate that copulation between parthenogenetic and bisexual species in Darevskia mixed communities is common and driven by sexual selection, thus reinforcing previous suggestions of reproductive interaction in syntopy. Evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed.

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The aim of the study is to predict the gender of Darevskia bithynica by using a feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN). Nine morphological characters were used as an input parameters of the mo¬del. The gender type male or female is the output parameter. The total number of data is 115. In order to train, validate and test the ANN model 70%, 15% and 15% of the total data are randomly selected, respectively. The regression coefficient (R) values are evaluated as prediction performance. The network’s layer with tangent sigmoid activation functions predicts the lizard gender with R values as 0.98, 0.97 and 0.96 for training, tes¬ting and all data, respectively. The mean square error (MSE) values for training and testing data are calculated as 0.0145 and 0.0161, respectively. The obtained results satisfactorily confirm the high ability of the ANNs in predicting the gender of Darevskia bithynica.

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The aim of the study is to predict the gender of Darevskia bithynica by using a feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN). Nine morphological characters were used as an input parameters of the mo-del. The gender type male or female is the output parameter. The total number of data is 115. In order to train, validate and test the ANN model 70%, 15% and 15% of the total data are randomly selected, respectively. The regression coefficient (R) values are evaluated as prediction performance. The network’s layer with tangent sigmoid activation functions predicts the lizard gender with R values as 0.98, 0.97 and 0.96 for training, tes-ting and all data, respectively. The mean square error (MSE) values for training and testing data are calculated as 0.0145 and 0.0161, respectively. The obtained results satisfactorily confirm the high ability of the ANNs in predicting the gender of Darevskia bithynica.

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In this investigation, lizard species of Turkish Thrace are investigated indetail for the first time. Morphological characretirstics, range, distribution and subspecific states of the species are given. Furthermore, some observations concerning their biological and ecological characteristics are also given. In this study a total of 678 specimens and 10 species belonging to 3 families of Lacertilia have been investigated from Turkish Trace.

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In the present study forty-four specimens of Lacerta praticola were collected from Dereköy (Kırklareli) and were investigated in detail in the view of morphological features. The results were compared with the existing knowledge of literature. The population was decided to be classified as a subspecies of L.p. pontica. Additionally, some information about the ecology of the species are given.

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Spermatogenic cycle in the Green-bellied lizard, Darevskia chlorogaster, was studied in forests of Sari County in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Sampling took place periodically every 15 days during the activity period of this species, from 5 April to 20 October 2012. In total, 59 adult males were captured by hand. Testes were removed and processed for histological and morphometric studies. The results show that testes consist of 74.45 seminiferous tubules in average. The mean diameters of seminiferous tubules, lumen, tunica albuginea and germinal layer are 350.14, 162, 17.69 and 64.10 microns, respectively. Spermatogenesis begins in mid March to early April, reaching its peak in late May and early June, and ends between early to mid August. The maximum level of sperm production occurred in early June. The minimum diameter, weight and volume of testes were observed in early August. Four phases were observed during the spermatogenesis of this species: active, transitional, inactive and regenerative. Spermatogenesis of D. chlorogaster in Iran is seasonal and the type of spermatogenic cycle is associated.

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The study presents data on the food composition of the Unisexual Lizard, Darevskia unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), from Hanak, Ardahan, Turkey. A total of 172 preys were determined in the digestive systems of 44 individuals examined in the study. Insecta, Aranea, Malacostraca, and Gastropoda constitute food composition of lizards. Major prey groups in the food composition are included in Hymenoptera (46.5%), Coleoptera (13.4%), Diptera (8.1%), Lepidoptera (7.6%), Orthoptera (7%) and Hemiptera (7%) in number, whereas Hymenoptera (70%), Lepidoptera (25%), Coleoptera (23%), and Diptera (20%) in frequency. Our result confirm that the Unisexual Lizard is an insectivorous and active predator and generally feed with poor flying or non-flying invertebrates.

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The structure and evolution of a satellite DNA family was examined in lizards from the genus Darevskia(family Lacertidae). Comparison of tandem units of repeated DNA (satDNA), CLsat, in all species from the genus Darevskiahas shown that their variability is largely explained by single-nucleotide substitutions, which form about 50 diagnostic positions underlying classification of the family into three subfamilies. Maximum differences between the subfamilies reached 25%. At this level of tandem unit divergence in the subfamilies, no cross-hybridization between them was observed (at 65°C). The individual variability within one subfamily within the species was on average 5% while the variability between species consensuses within a subfamily was 10%. The presence of highly conserved regions in all monomers and some features of their organization show that satellites of all Darevskia species belong to one satDNA family. The organization of unit sequences of satellites CLsat and Agi160 also detected by us in another lizard genus, Lacerta s. str. was compared. Similarity that was found between these satellites suggests their relatedness and common origin. A possible pathway of evolution of these two satDNA families is proposed. The distribution and content of CLsat repeat subfamilies in all species of the genus was examined by Southern hybridization. Seven species had mainly CLsatI (83 to 96%); three species, approximately equal amounts of CLsatI and CLsatIII (the admixture of CLsatII was 2–5%); and five species, a combination of all three subfamilies in highly varying proportions. Based on these results as well as on zoogeographic views on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Darevskia species, hypotheses on the evolution of molecular-genetic relationships within this genus are advanced.

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The genetic relatedness of several bisexual and of four unisexual Lacerta saxicola complexlizards was studied, using monomer sequences of the complex-specific CLsat tandem repeats and anonymous RAPD markers. Genomes of parthenospecies were shown to include different satellite monomers. The structure of each such monomer is specific for a certain pair of bisexual species. This fact might be interpreted in favor of co-dominant inheritance of these markers in bisexual species hybridogenesis. This idea is supported by the results obtained with RAPD markers; i.e., unisexual species genomes include only the loci characteristic of certain bisexual species. At the same time, in neither case parthenospecies possess specific, autoapomorphic loci that were not present in this or that bisexual species.

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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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One of the most interesting but elusive members of the European herpetofauna is the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola). It is a small, ground dwelling, predominantly forest living lacertid, for which many ecological and biological data are still missing. Moreover, at least for the western part of the species range (south-eastern Europe) its distribution and environmental associations are insufficiently known, likely due to difficulties in detection even with intensive field sampling. Here, we complemented the available literature records with our personal observations and explored the effects of environmental factors shaping the species ecological niche and distribution in Europe using the ecological niche modelling approach from Maxent software. The new records of the meadow lizard fill a gap in its known distribution. The most suitable habitats are in central and eastern Serbia, south-western Romania, and central, southern and south-western Bulgaria. Mean temperature of the coldest quarter, vegetation and slope had the strongest effect in defining the meadow lizard’s ecological niche. Niche suitability increased with the increase in forest cover and slope, while the temperature showed a bell-shaped response with a rather narrow tolerance range for temperature. Contrary to expectations, precipitation seemed to have no contribution to the species occurrence. Ecological niche model performance increased with a higher resolution of predictor variables despite the lower number of available occurrence records, although the slope variable had a greater predictive power when calculated at a lower resolution. Interestingly, high resolution vegetation variables (30 m) were able to show some level of habitat fragmentation, which likely resulted from deforestation. Overall, our results epitomize the effects of limited sampling on the biogeography inference of elusive species while having significant repercussions on conservation priorities and management of the species.

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We studied the thermal biology of the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola) in the peripheral part of its distribution range (westernmost edge of the distribution area). We assessed whether these lizards actively thermoregulate, estimated the accuracy and effectiveness of thermoregulation, and evaluated the thermal quality of the habitat using the standard thermal parameters: body (Tb), preferred (Tpref) with set-point range (Tset) and operative temperatures (Te). Tset of the meadow lizard under controlled laboratory conditions was between 27.8°C and 31.4°C. In the field Tb and Te averaged 29.0°C and 26.1°C, respectively. A large proportion of Tes fell below the Tset range of the meadow lizard, and lizard Tbs were substantially closer to the species’ Tset range. Obtained values of thermoregulatory indices suggested that the meadow lizard thermoregulated actively, with a rather high accuracy (db = 0.8) and effectiveness (E = 0.8 and de - db = 2.6), and that their habitat at this locality was thermally favourable during the spring. Our results suggest that thermal requirements of the meadow lizard resemble those of alpine lacertids, while their Tbs and Tset are lower than in most lacertid lizards. Further thermoregulation studies could be an important step in predicting the impact of the global climate change on the meadow lizard and the risks of local extinctions of its peripheral populations.

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The south-western part of Mehedinţi County comprises many herpetofauna species, compared to most regions in Romania. This is how we managed to encounter 14 amphibian species (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax lessonae, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria) plus Pelophylax kl. esculentus and 15 reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis taurica, Darevskia praticola, Anguis fragilis, Zamenis longissimus, Dolichophis caspius, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes). Salamandra salamandra, Bombina variegata and Rana temporaria were identified at very low altitudes, lower than any other indication from Romania up to present. This is explained by the fact that mountain valleys, bearing here a typical aspect, reach all the way to the Danube, carrying with them the occurring species. In Blahnita Plain, Darevskia praticola appears in cleared areas, being present in the vegetation girdles bordering the canals found between agricultural fields.

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Herpetofauna is of interest in protected areas because of the large number of protected species. We studied the herpetofauna of Cozia National Park (CNP) between 2016 and 2018. CNP is situated in the central part of the Southern Romanian Carpathians. We recorded 10 species of amphibian (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and R. temporaria), and 11 reptile species (Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Podarcis muralis, Darevskia praticola, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis colchica, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes). Reptiles dominate in number of species, number of individuals and distribution records. CNP is situated at the northern limit of the distribution range of some of these reptiles, notably D. praticola and V. ammodytes. Mountain species associated with a colder, moist climate are very rare or even absent. Zootoca vivipara is restricted to the highest areas of Mount Cozia, above 1 350 m. Although mountain species are well represented in other Carpathian regions, the warmer, drier climate of CNP and its surroundings has limited their distribution in the area, pushing Z. vivipara to higher and higher altitudes. Lacerta agilis is syntopic with all the other lizard species. In some areas, as many as four lizard species cohabitate. The distribution of the herpetofauna in CNP has been negatively influenced by past human activity. The dams on the River Olt have favoured species related to large, stagnant bodies of water, in a region where such habitats were naturally missing. In addition, massive deforestation has decreased the abundance of herpetofauna in many areas of CNP.

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The study of the sympatric population, located in the Ijevan region of Armenia, where the bisexual species D. raddei coexists with three partenogenetic species - D. rostombekovi, D. dahli and D. armeniaca has shown that in this population a hybridization process is taking place between the D. raddei and D. rostombekowi species. Of the captured 104 D. rostombekowi in the study area, 18 triploid hybrid males have been found. A comparative study of the smears and histological slides prepared from the testicles of 9 hybrid males has detected their possible fertility. The recorded triploid hybrid males could potentially play important role in hybrid speciation.

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A unique hybridization zone of rock lizard species of genus Darevskia, with diploid (2n), triploid (3n) and tetraploid (4n) individuals, occurs in the mountain steppe of central Armenia. Our long-term monitoring has showed an increasing birth rate of triploid hybrids in this mixed population. Among these hybrids, the frequency of captured males with fully developed reproductive systems and presumably fertile females also increased significantly. Consequently, intensive microevolution has taken place in this sympatric population. The morphological, ecological, cytological, histological, and parasitological characteristics of the hybrid Darevskia are presented here and compared with parental species.

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Along with sterile triploid females, the male hybrids, intersexual individuals, female hybrids with developing follicles and eggs as well as tetraploid male hybrid are found in the mixed population of three species of rock lizards’ genus Darevskia in mountain steppe zone of central Armenia. Intensive microevolution takes place in this sympatric population. The evolutionary potential for hybridogenic speciation by Caucasian rock lizards is discussed. Հայաստանի կենտրոնական մասի լեռնատափաստանային գոտում, Darevskia ցեղին պատկանող երկսեռ և կուսածին ժայռային մողեսների երեք տեսակների խառը պոպուլյացիաներում, ստերիլ տրիպլոիդ էգերի հետ հայտնաբերվել են տրիպլոիդ հիբրիդային էգեր` զարգացող օօցիտներով և ձվերեվ, հիբրիդային արու և ինտերսեքսուալ առանձնյակներ, ինչպես նաև տետրապլոիդ արու առանձնյակ: Այդ պոպուլյացիայում ընթանում է միկրոէվոլյուցիոն գործընթաց: Քննարկվում է Կովկասյան ժայռային մողեսների հիբրիդոգեն տեսակառաջացման էվոլյուցիոն պոտենցիալը: В горно-степной зоне центральной Армении, в смешанной популяции трех видов двуполых и партеногенетических скальных ящериц рода Darevskia, наряду со стерильными триплоидными гибридными самками, обнаружены триплоидные гибридные самки с развивающимися фолликулами и яйцами, гибридные самцы, интерсексуальные особи, а также тетраплоидный гибридный самец. В данной смешанной популяции протекает интенсивный микроэволюционный процесс. Обсуждается эволюционный потенциал гибридогенного видообразования у Кавказских скальных ящериц.

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The polymorphic species Lacerta saxicola Eversmann forms 19 distinct forms in the Caucasus, four of which (armeniaca, dahli, rostombekovi, and unisexualis) are devoid of males and normally reproduce parthenogenetically. These parthenogenetic forms inhabit the mountains on the periphery of the range of the normal bisexual form, L. s. defilippii, thus suggesting a case of geographic parthenogenesis. Since the populations of parthenogenetic lizards are virtually devoid of males, the application of geographic and physiological species criteria to them is a matter of some difficulty. A discussion of this situation with regard to the problem of so-called `agamic species` enables us to regard the parthenogenetic relatives of L. saxicola as distinct species rather than subspecies, and these forms are raised to that rank. The parthenogenetic form of L. s. defilippii is described as a separate species (L. unisexualis). Cytological studies have shown that parthenogenetic species of Rock Lizards are diploid (2n = 38) and that oogenesis proceeds similarly in parthenogenetic and bisexual forms up to the second meiotic division. In regions of sympatry the parthenogenetic and bisexual forms occasionally produce natural hybrids, resulting in sterile triploid (3n = 57) females, the sterility of which is caused by anomalies in the development and structure of the gonads. In the eggs laid by parthenogenetic females, peculiar abnormal embryos, which commonly die in an early stage of incubation, are often developed. Most of them prove to be males, the development of which stops approximately in the middle of incubation. There is reason to suppose that the transition of Rock Lizards to parthenogenesis is associated with natural interspecific hybridization, which in turn favors unisexual reproduction. This tendency could be realized under the influence of selection and apparently took place in forest refuges during Quaternary glaciation of the Caucasus. The transition of Rock Lizards to unisexual reproduction is shown to be accompanied by the appearance of morphologically and biologically distinct species. Natural parthenogenesis may thus be regarded as one of the factors of speciation in the L. saxicola group.

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Four parthenogenetic subspecies of Lacerta . saxicola Eversmann (Transcaucasia) have closely overlapping sympatric ranges. The lizards show no intermediate forms in zones of their mutual habitat. On the border - line of their ranges parthenogenetic lizards can mate with males of neighbouring bisexual forms of Lacerta saxicola, producing hybrids that always are sterile triploid (3n=57) females. Therefore, application of geographical and physiological species criteria to parthenogenetic forms allows to regard them as independent species. However, geographical .and physiofogiical criteria are based on the effect of reproductive isolation mechanisms whose realization is possible upon the occurrence of both sexes in the population. Thus, both criteria should not be unconditionally applied to parthenogenetic and agamic species consisting of females alone. However, the absence of males also plays the role of a peculiar isolation mechanism which maintains the integrity of parthenogenetic species. Due to this, parthenogenetic forms of Lacerta saxicola Eversmann which can be easily distinguished in the morphological respect should be considered as independent agamic species: Lacertra armeniaca Meh., L. dahli Dar., L. rostombekovi Dar. and L. unisexualis Dar.

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Präsentation von Lacerta rudis svanetica ssp. nov. vom Südabfall der zentralen Kaukasus-Hauptkette in Nordwest-Grusinien einschließlich einer isolierten Population in Nordwest-Abchasien und von Lacerta parvula adjarica ssp. nov. von der türkischen Schwarzmeerküste samt ihrem Hinterland zwischen Trabzon und Batumi sowie im (Çoruh- (Tschoroch-)tal ab Borçka, in Adjarien und in den angrenzenden Gebieten Grusiniens zwischen Meria (SE Poti) und Borzomi; bei Bakuriani existiert ein isoliertes Vorkommen.

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It is known that karyotypes of parthenogenetic female and male Lacerta armeniaca are similar. This implies that the above males are most likely the results of hormonal inversion. A recently collected male L. armeniaca has also proved to be a diploid individual. This is supported by cytophotometrical measurement of the DNA content of somatic cells in both this male and the bisexual (Control) male of L. portschinskii Kessler, as well as by haploid number of Bivalents at metaphase 1. The DNA content of spermatids in the two males corresponds with the haploid level, and the presence of haploid spermatids argues for normal meiosis. Histological studies supported the above conclusions. The male L. armeniaca appeared to be fertile.

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Males and intersexes sometimes occur in the progeny of parthenogenetic species of the genus Lacerta, but usually they die during embryogenesis. Their frequency in nature does not exceed 0.1%. Diploid chromosome complements in a male and an intersex of Lacerta armeniaca differ from the female karyotype by the presence of a heteromorphic pair of what are apparently sex chromosomes. These phenomena are discussed in connection with the hypothesis of relictual bisexuality in parthenogenetic species of lizards. All stages of spermatogenesis and mature spermatozoa were discovered in the testes of the male, without a strict order to the rows of maturing cells. The possibility of the existence of fertile males in natural populations of L. armeniaca is supported by the occurrence of natural hybrids between sympatric unisexual species and some other indirect data. The intersex examined, in addition to having hemipenes and testes, had well-developed oviducts. Also, the right gonad was an `ovotestis` consisting of a testis united to several oocytes. The evolutionary importance of fertile diploid males is the possibility of the formation (with their participation) of fertile triploid individuals and even the further transition to tetraploidy: i.e., the theoretical return to bisexuality on a polyploid level.

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A new subspecies of Lacerta caucasica (s. str.), L. c. vedenica from the northern slope of the Andiiskii Ridge (SE Chechenia) is described. This population appears to be geographically isolated from the main range of L. caucasica, but contacts the northern limits of the range of a closely related species, L. daghestanica. It differs from the other populations of L. caucasica as well as from the related species, L. daghestanica and L. alpina by a very low number of superciliary granules and superciliary scales as well as by the lack of greenish paints in the dorsal coloration.

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The re-examination of Lacerta clarkorum Darevsky et Vedmederja, 1977 type series as well as analysis of the recently collected new material may suggest that within the frames of Northeastern Turkey and neighboring region of Adzharistan within the Georgia, live two close allopatric species: Lacerta clarkorum proper and a new species Lacerta dryada sp. nov., whose description is made in this article. Evidence is provided on the distribution and comparative ecology of both species, their possible phylogenetic relation being discussed.

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Locus-specific PCR was used to study the genetic polymorphism in three populations of parthenogenetic lizard species Darevskia dahli. The analysis was carried at the two (GATA) n -containing loci (Du215 and Du281) using the sample of 26 individuals. A total of eight Du215 and three Du281 allelic variants were detected. It was demonstrated that all the lizards examined were heterozygous at these loci. In 12 animals, unusual Du215 allelic variant was revealed, the origin of which was thought to be associated with different types of genomic rearrangements, or segmental duplication. The populations studied were substantially different relative to the levels of allelic polymorphism, which could be explained by different habitation conditions, leading to accumulation of mutations in noncoding genome regions.

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The Arasbaran Protected Area is a forested and mountainous area, which is located in northern part of East Azerbaijan province and bordered to the north by Armenia and Azerbaijan and southern Aras River of the Iranian Plateau confined to 38°40` to 39°08`N and 46°39` to 47°02`E. A study on the status of Sauria in this area was carried out from June to September 2011 and 2013. A total of 141 specimens were collected and identified, which represented four families, 11genera, and 12 species and subspecies, including collected Agamidae: Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus persicus, Trapelus lessonae, Anguidae: Pseudopus apodus, Lacertidae: Darevskia raddeii, Iranolacerta brandtii, Eremias strauchi, Lacerta media, Lacerta strigata, Ophisops elegans and Scincidae: Eumeces schneideri Ablepharus bivittatus. The Lacertidae with six species, showed the highest diversity among the families represented here. In this study a new locality was found for Lacerta strigata 30 km north of kalibar, in the Arasbaran.

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We examined sexual size dimorphism of the rock-dwelling lizard Darevskia raddei (Boettger, 1892) with the help of 30 specimens that were provided from various sources. Eleven metric and seven meristic features were examined. Seven characters (gulars, length of basal tail, femoral pores, length of head, width of head, length of fore limb and length of hind limb) were identified as dimorphic between the two sexes. Some of these characters have important roles in copulation for males, especially the hind limb and the tail base. The number of femoral pores is important in the release of signal components because females release these components to attract males during the mating season. The length of the hind limb as locomotor performance plays an important role during mating, so that the male can grasp the female and adopt the correct position during copulation.

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In this article we present the effects of waste water of the Sungun copper mine on Darevskia raddei habitat in the Arasbaran protected region, a UNESCO registered biosphere reserve since 1976, and appeal to the Department of Environment of East Azarbaijan province to more consideration on control and precautions regarding the water waste of the Sungun mine.

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The paper provides data on the current location of the type specimens of Darevskia (rudis) complex as of July 2017: Podarcis depressa Camerano, 1878 (syntypes – MZUT R2737.1-3, NHM 1946.9.1.31-32), Lacerta depressa var. rudis Bedriaga, 1886 (lectotype – MZUT 2737.1, paralectotypes – MZUT 2737.2-3, NHM 1946.9.1.32), Lacerta depressa var. modesta Bedriaga, 1886 (syntype – NHM 1946.9.1.31), Lacerta saxicola Subsp. bithynica Méhely, 1909 (lectotype [here designated] – ZISP 17128, paralectotype – NMW 11685), Lacerta saxicola tristis Lantz et Cyrén, 1936 (lectotype – GNM 2481, paralectotypes – GNM 2482-2485, 2487 and GNM one unnumbered specimen), Lacerta saxicola obscura Lantz et Cyrén, 1936 (lectotype [here designated] – ZISP ZISP 17171.1, paralectotypes – NHM 1966.769.773, ZISP 14435, 14436, 14437, 14438, 14439, 14440, 14442, 15402, 16290, 17057.1- 3, 17058, 17059.1-3, 17171.2-26, 17172.1-15), Lacerta rudis macromaculata Darevsky, 1967 (holotype – ZISP 17940.6, paratypes – ZISP 17440.1-18, the location of three paratypes is unknown), Lacerta rudis bischoffi Böhme et Budak, 1977 (holotype – ZDEU 183/977, paratypes – ZDEU 222/976:1, 3-6, 8-9, ZDEU 183/977.2-10, ZFMK 22062.63), Lacerta rudis svanetica Darevsky et Eiselt, 1980 (holotype – ZISP 17875.1, paratypes – ZISP 17875.2-8, 17814.1-18, NMW 24138.1-6), Lacerta rudis chechenica Eiselt et Darevsky, 1991 (holotype – NMW 33504.1, paratypes – ZISP 17878.1-13, 17882.2-4, ZISP 18374.1-5, 18781.1-6, 19545.1-13, ZFMK 16448.52, 29262, 38037.45, 40431-33, NMW 32619.1,2, 33504.2,4,5), Darevskia rudis mirabilis Arribas, Ilgaz, Kumlutaş, Durmuş, Avci et Üzüm, 2013 (holotype – ZDEU 145/2002.9, paratypes – ZDEU 145/2002.1-8, 10-18, O. Arribas private collection (1-6)), Darevskia rudis bolkardaghica Arribas, Ilgaz, Kumlutaş, Durmuş, Avci et Üzüm, 2013 (holotype – ZDEU 144/2009.6, paratypes – ZDEU 144/2009.1-5, 7-8, O. Arribas private collection (1-4)). Strictly following the ICZN the name Lacerta depressa var. rudis Bedriaga, 1886 should not be considered as the replacement name (nomen novum) for Podarcis depressa Camerano, 1878, but the only available name. The history of description of all known forms of the complex is given. Localities, collectors and dates of collection of the type specimens are clarified.

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The paper describes a first case of successful hunting of a Parasteatoda tepidariorum (C. L. Koch, 1841) spider for a juvenile individual of Pontic Lizard, Darevskia pontica (Lantz et Cyrén, 1919), recorded in the territory of Slavyansk-on-Kuban town (Krasnodar Region, Russia).

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The description of a new subspecies of rock lizards Darevskia saxicola complex, inhabited the territory of Pitsunda-Myussera Reserve and in the Gagra (Republic of Abkhazia) is given. Myussera lizard, Darevskia brauneri myusserica ssp. nov., differs from other taxa of the complex by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) large or very large masseteris scute; (2) interrupted series of ciliated grains between supraciliar and supraocular scutes; (3) presence of additional scutes lying on either side of occipital and interparietal scutes or splitting of the latter; (4) net color pattern on the back (in females fuzzy); (5) dominance of gray and light gray color in the coloration of the back of females; (6) white throat and belly. In addition, these subspecies differs by some peculiarities of biology: biotopical preference to coastal pebble conglomerates and a relatively low population size. Probably, the taxon was formed during the Pleistocene. Formation of the coastal plains of Pitsunda Peninsula by alluvial and marine accumulation in the Late Neopleistocene – Holocene divided the area of Myussera lizard into the Gagra and Myussera plots. This area is situated within the Black Sea refuge of Eastern Mediterranean species of herpetofauna.

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The paper provide information on the current status of the type specimens of Darevskia (saxicola) complex as they were in December 2011. I order to stabilize nomenclature of this complex, the neotype of Lacerta saxicola Eversmann, 1834, lectotypes of Lacerta saxicola brauneri Méhely, 1909 and Lacerta saxicola lindholmi Szczerbak, 1962 are designated. History of description of these taxa is discussed.

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The greatest number of reptiles having melanism (the number of specimens and species) have been recorded in the Caucasus in populations of five Darevskia species: Darevskia alpina, D. brauneri, D. lindholmi, D. pontica and D. rudis. The occurrence of melanistic specimens in reptiles can be explained by the influence of geochemical anomalies, thermoregulatory adaptation, isolation, and occurence in the periphery of their range. Melanism of D. lindholmi appears to depend on geochemical factors. The melanistic specimens of D. rudis, D. pontica and D. brauneri were found in a city on the northeastern boundary of their range. D. alpina was recorded in the mountains on the eastern periphery of the range.

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The article is the result of the analysis of the distribution of the Darevskia praticola praticola (Eversmann, D. p. hyrcanica Tuniyev, Doronin, Kidov et Tuniyev, 2011, and D. pontica (Lantz et Cyrén, 1919) in the Caucasus. GIS-modeling was used by the program Maxent 3.3.3e. An analysis of the obtained distribution maps led to the conclusion about the location of centres (zones optimum) of distribution ranges. The zone of optimum for studied forms do not overlap each other. It can be considered as indication of the difference in the location of the centers of their formation. Data on the modern change of borders of ranges of lizard Darevskia (praticola) complex are presented.

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To study the habitats and potential spread of the rock lizards from the Darevskia (saxicola) complex, the Maxent 3.3.3e program was used. Our analysis has found that currently in the Ciscaucasia (on the Stavropol Upland) there are no favorable climatic conditions for habitation of D. saxicola but it can be found on the territory of North Ossetia-Alania (in the Digorskoe Gorge), there are no clear boundaries between the habitats of D. b. brauneri and D. b. darevskii. This is further evidence in favor of their conspecificity; the habitat of D. [brauneri] szczerbaki has been stable in recent decades and no significant movement of its borders has taken place, in Abkhazia there is very limited territory suitable for habitation of D. b. myusserica. Bioclimatic factors affecting the habitat of the lizards from the complex were analyzed.

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New records of Darevskia alpina from the vicinities of Zemo Bachiani Village in South Ossetia are presented and discussed: D. brauneri from the place of the confluence of the Luhunistskale River into the Rion River in Georgia and vicinities of Ertso Lake in South Ossetia, D. pontica from the vicinities of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Timashevsk, Novotitarovskaya Village, Poltavskaya Village and Burakovsky Village in Krasnodar Region, D. portschinskii nigrita from the vicinities of Kizilkilisa Village in Georgia, D. praticola from the vicinities of Tskhinval, Acrisheu Village, Malaya Gufta Village, Hetagurova Village and the southern slope of the Zonkar Ridge in South Ossetia. Information on an attempt to introduce D. pontica into the territory of Rostov-on-Don is provided.

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The paper provides information on the current status of the type specimens of Darevskia (caucasica) complex as they were in August 2014. In order to stabilize nomenclature of this complex, the lectotype of Lacerta saxicola daghestanica Darevsky, 1967 is designated. The description of external morphology of paralektotype of a L. s. daghestanica, lektotype and paralektotype of Lacerta caucasica Méhely, 1909 is given. History of description of these taxa is discussed.

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The paper presents analysis of the distribution of Darevskia praticola praticola, D. praticola loriensis, D. p. hyrcanica, and D. pontica in the Caucasus. GIS modeling (Maxent 3.3.3k) was used. Analysis of the obtained GIS maps of distribution has allowed us to locate territories with maximum occurrence probabilities of these taxa. Analysis of the bioclimatic factors that affect the lizard habitats from the complex and their zoogeographical position is given; data on the modern changes in the boundaries of the taxa from the Darevskia (praticola) complex are presented.

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1. Sexual dimorphism and geographical variability in signs of external morphology are revealed in the species of the studied complexes of rock lizards. The most important for their diagnosis are the features of folidosis of the head. Interspecific and intraspecific differences in morphometric features, color and pattern of the body were detected. 2. In the phylogenetic analysis, the Darevskia (caucasica) samples were divided into the group of the northern slope of the Central Caucasus (D. caucasica), the East Caucasus (D. daghestanica), the Western Caucasus (D. alpina), the northern slope of the Central and Western Caucasus (D. alpina ). Reliable identification and significant genetic differences of D. caucasica and D. daghestanica samples favor their attribution to different species. Within D. alpina two groups with high genetic differences (distances) were identified. Inside Darevskia (saxicola) two lines are described, one of which is connected with the Crimea and the Western Caucasus (D. lindholmi-D. Brauneri), and the second - with the North and West Caucasus (D. saxicola-D. Szczerbaki). 3. As a result of the nomenclatural revision, the lectotype Lacerta praticola pontica, L. saxicola brauneri, L. saxicola daghestanica, L. saxicola lindholmi, and the neotype L. saxicola; Specific locations, years and authors of the description of a number of taxa have been refined. 4. It has been established that the studied supernumerary complexes include the following valid taxa: Darevskia (praticola) - D. pontica pontica, D. pontica hungarica, D. praticola praticola, D. praticola hyrcanica, D. praticola loriensis; Darevskia (caucasica) - D. alpina, D. caucasica caucasica, D. caucasica vedenica, D. daghestanica; Darevskia (saxicola) - D. brauneri brauneri, D. brauneri myusserica, D. saxicola, D. szczerbaki, D. lindholmi. Lacerta saxicola darevskii is regarded as a minor synonym for Lacerta saxicola brauneri. 5. For the first time accurate inventories of findings (1,443 locations) and GIS maps of species arealways were compiled, reliably characterizing the features of their distribution; The structure of areals, the current trends of their changes and the factors influencing the distribution of rock lizards are revealed. It is recommended to carry out conservation measures of international and national level in order to preserve the populations of D. alpina, D. brauneri myusserica and D. szczerbaki, especially in typical territories. 6. The first and only reliable paleontological find of Darevskia sp. - Darevskia sf. brauneri from the Pleistocene site, the caves of Mezmaiskaya. A hypothesis is proposed for the formation of species of complexes, according to which the isolation of their common ancestor from a hypothetical form it is logical to associate with the Miocene and Pliocene boundaries, or with the Cimmerian century of the Pliocene, 153 and the radiation of modern species - with the Akchagylian age, corresponding to the Piacenza and Gelazian tiers. The parallel formation of several Darevskia (praticola) and Darevskia (caucasica) lines around the Greater Caucasus is assumed in the early Pliocene. At the end of the Pontian age, the primary area of ​​the ancestor of the modern forms of Darevskia (saxicola) and the subsequent formation in the Mediterranean landscapes of the Black Sea coast, along the surviving cliff, D. szczerbaki, and the cuestas of the North Caucasus - D. saxicola, could have occurred at the periphery of the Caucasian peninsula.

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The paper provides data on the current location of the type specimens of Darevskia (praticola) complex as of March 2016: Lacerta praticola Eversmann, 1834 (storage holotype place (on monotype) is unknown), Lacerta vivipara stenolepis Nikolsky, 1911 (holotype for monotypes – ZISP 7203, location unknown), Lacerta praticola pontica Lantz et Cyrén, 1918 (lectotype – ZISP 22853, paralectotypes – ZISP 5279, 5280, 22847, 22852.1-2, 22854), Lacerta praticola hungarica Sobolewsky, 1930 (location lectotype and paralectotypes ZISP 9814 unknown, paralectotypes – ZMMU R 2538), Lacerta plicata Bartenef et Reznikova, 1931 (holotype (on monotypes) – ZISP 15204), Darevskia praticola hyrcanica Tuniyev, Doronin, Kidov et Tuniyev, 2011 (holotype – SNP 1473.5, paratypes – SNP 1473.0-19, ZISP 12301, 12630, 12632-12635), Darevskia praticola loriensis Tuniyev, Doronin, Tuniyev, Aghasyan, Kidov et Aghasyan, 2013 (holotype – SNP 1568.9, paratypes – SNP 1569.1-19, ZISP 17075). The history of description of all known forms of the complex is given. L. praticola pontica has been described in 1918, not in 1919.

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The purpose of this work, under Articles 23.9.1.2, 23.9.2, and 24.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, is to conserve the priority of the specific name Lacerta mixta Méhely, 1909. This name is threatened by the never-used-as-valid name Lacerta composita Méhely, 1909. It is proposed that Lacerta mixta, Méhely, 1909 is given precedence as a nomen protectum over Lacerta composita Méhely, 1909, which will be considered as a nomen oblitum.

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New data on the distribution of four species of lizards (Darevskia brauneri, D. daghestanica, Lacerta agilis ioriensis, L. strigata) in the Caucasus are presented.

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The finding of a melanist meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola praticola) in the Stavropol Territory is discussed. Information on the clutch and offspring obtained from the female of this aberration is given.

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The range of superspecific complex of rock lizards Darevskia (caucasica) (D. alpina, D. c. caucasica, D. c. vedeni- ca, D. daghestanica) includes the Main Caucasian ridge and its spurs on the southern and northern macroslopes within heights from 500 m to 3200 m above sea level. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1096 bp) was analyzed in 48 specimens of these lizards. Specimens were collected in 23 localities. We have found 39 unique haplotypes. The minimum genetic diversity was found in D. c. vedenica, maximum in D. c. caucasica. All taxa of the complex, except for D. c. vedenica, demonstrate genetic heterogeneity. Four clades can be distinguished on the dendrogram of phylogenetic relationships. They correspond to D. alpina, D. c. caucasica, D. c. vedenica, D. dagh- estanica. D. c. caucasica forms two distinct haplogroups. On the phylogenetic tree, the sample of D. c. vedenica formed an independent clade close to D. c. caucasica. The Darevskia (caucasica) complex is polyphyletic accord- ing to the analysis of the mitochondrial marker. Nucleotide sequences of D. alpina formed a single clade with Darevskia (saxicola) complex representatives and combined with the sequences of D. brauneri into subclade. On the example of the population of D. daghestanica, found in a forest biotope without rocky outcrops and genetically not differing from individuals from the adjacent territory, the ability of rocky lizards to master biotopes unusual for them in a short period of time was demonstrated. This example demonstrates the ability of rock lizards to adapt to unusual biotopes in a short period of time. Genetic distance between D. c. vedenica and D. c. caucasica is com- parable to the distance between D. c. caucasica and D. daghestanica. We assume the existence of an independent form of D. caucasica ssp. inhabiting South Ossetia and adjacent territories.

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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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Five new regional records of the rock lizards in Caucasus are described. The distribution of Darevskia alpina (Darevsky, 1967) on the northern slope of Mount Elbrus has been detailed: the species was found in the Emmanuel glade and in the gorge of the Kyzylkol River. The easternmost record of D. alpina is located in the upper stream of the Cherek Bezengi River in Kabardino-Balkaria. Darevskia caucasica vedenica (Darevsky et Roitberg, 1999) was first found on the territory of Dagestan in the area of the lake Kezenoyam and on the watershed of the Okholitlau and Khulhulau rivers. The existence of an isolated population of D. daghestanica (Darevsky, 1967) in the gorge of the Bolshaya Liakhvi River was confirmed, which is located in South Ossetia, on the southwestern border of the species range. When studying the collections of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, three specimens of D. dahli (Darevsky, 1957) were found from the village Alapars of the Kotayk region of Armenia collected in 1880. This locality is the southernmost and, moreover, the only record of the species in the Armenian volcanic highlands.

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e results of molecular genetic analysis of phylogenetic relationships in Darevskia (caucasica) on the basis of COI sequences variability is presented. Two main lineages are detected: the Central and Eastern Caucasian (clades A–B — D. caucasica-D. daghestanica), and Central and Western Caucasian (clades C–D — D. alpina). A DNA-barcoding tool can be successfully used for species identi cation of D. alpina, D. caucasica and D. daghestanica.

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New findings of Darevskia pontica at the northern border of its habitat, in the Kuban-Azov lowland within the administrative boundaries of the Krasnodar and Rostov regions, are presented and discussed. The species was found in the Rostov region for the first time. It is proposed to include D. pontica into the regional Red Data Book of the Rostov region.

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The article describes the history of the study and data on the biology of the Szczerbak‘s Lizard, Darevskia szczerbaki - the endemic of Russia. The species is listed in the Red Data Book of Krasnodar Krai and is recommended for inclusion in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. The main reason for this lizard extinction is the construction of coastal cliffs in the Krasnodar krai. Particular concern is caused by the state of its populations in a type locality — the town of Anapa. To protect a rock lizard, the following steps are necessary: optimization of the territory of the Utrish State Natural Reserve, establishing of new protected areas in Anapa, on the coastline between Gelendzhik and Tuapse, and prohibition of catching of lizards.

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The results of statistical analysis of morphological characters and the study of the cytochrome b gene variability (mtDNA) of rock lizards of the Darevskia (saxicola) complex distributed in the Caucasus and the Crimea, have shown significant differentiation within this complex, assuming specific independence of D. szczerbaki (Lukina, 1963) and subspecific status of recently described D. brauneri myusserica Doronin, 2011. According to our data, within D. brauneri (Méhely, 1909) only two forms of subspecific status can be distinguished, namely D. b. brauneri and D. b. myusserica. In our opinion, Lacerta saxicola darevskii Szczerbak, 1962 (= D. brauneri darevskii) should be considered to be a junior synonym of D. b. brauneri. The possible scenarios of range formation in the Darevskia (saxicola) complex are discussed.

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The information is given on finding of males, having characters similar with Darevskia mixta (settled in 1968) and with D. armeniaca in the structure of the mixed experimental population of rocky lizards D. armeniaca and D.dahli. Data about distribution of the above mentioned species in the territory populated by them, characters of external morphology and others are cited. The possible reasons of not planned occurrence `D.dahli` in the population of D. armeniacа, including by hybridization are considered.

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Specimens of Dahl’s rocky lizard Darevskia dahli (Darevsky, 1957) was found among the introduced on the territory of Ukraine D. armeniaca (Mehely, 1909). The 11 specimens of Dahl’s rocky lizard was compared D. armeniaca from the same location by 16 external features and with 15 specimens of D. dahli from Georgia by 2 features. The results were commented.

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Data on biology of the partenogenetic rock lizards of Darevskia which are artificially acclimatized in Ukraine are provided. Biotopes and station of the mixed population of introduced species of D. armeniaca and D. dahli near the Denishi village in the Zhytomyr region are described. Expansion of an area of these species on inflows of the river Teteriv is noted. The new location of rocky lizards on the Bobrovka River near the Buki village is described. The seasonal and daily activity of lizards and density of their settlement in this region are investigated. The review of publications about population of introduced species of rocky lizards is provided. The factors limiting resettlement of parthenogenetic rocky lizards and promoting it are analyzed.

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A part of the COI mitochondrial barcoding gene was sequenced from seven species of diff erent taxonomical groups: Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia, Ambystomatidae), Darevskia lindholmi, Lacerta agilis exigua (Reptilia, Lacertidae), Erinaceus roumanicus (Mammalia, Erinaceidae), Macrobiotus sp. 1 and 2 (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae) and Cameraria ohridella (Insecta, Gracillariidae). Th e sequences were compared with available sequences from databases and positioned on phylogenetic trees when the taxa had not yet been sequenced. Th e presence of Mexican axolotls in herpetoculture in Ukraine was confi rmed. Th e partial COI genes of the Crimean rock lizard and an eastern sub-species of the sand lizard were sequenced. We demonstrated the presence of two tardigrade mitochondrial lineages of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group in the same sample from the Zeya Natural Reserve in the Far East: one was nearly identical to the Italian M. macrocalix, and the other one is similar to M. persimilis and M. vladimiri. We also confi rmed the presence of the invasive haplotype “A” of the horse chestnut leaf miner in Ukraine, in line with the hypothesized route of invasion from Central Europe.

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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.