External morphology and osteology of Darevskia rudis (Bedriaga, 1886), with a taxonomic revision of the Pontic and Small-Caucasus populations (Squamata: Lacertidae)

Arribas O., ILGAZ Ç., KUMLUTAŞ Y., Durmus S. H., AVCI A., ÜZÜM N.

ZOOTAXA, vol.3626, no.4, pp.401-428, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3626 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.11646/zootaxa.3626.4.1
  • Journal Name: ZOOTAXA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.401-428
  • Keywords: Morphometry, osteology, discriminant analysis, Turkey, Darevskia, D. rudis, D. bithynica, species rank, mirabilis ssp nov., bolkardaghica ssp nov.
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

A broad sample of Darevskia rudis from the main part of its range was reviewed with regard to external morphology (discriminant, 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 Kackar 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.