Intraspecific Variability in Teratoscincus bedriagai Nikolsky, 1900 (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Iran

Abstract

The Bedraiga's skink gecko, Teratoscincus bedriagai, is among the fairly known lizards of Iran. Phylogenetic relationships among five distant populations of Teratoscincus bedriagai were estimated based on the mitochondrial COI sequences. This study highlights very low genetic divergences among examined populations despite the noticeable geographic distance between them. We assumed that the current distribution pattern of haplotypes is shaped as a consequence of climate changes and glaciations in the Quaternary.

Keywords

• genetic distance
• teratoscincus bedriagai
• iran
• sphaerodactylidae
• quaternary