title: A new species of the genus Eremias Fitzinger, 1834 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Central Iran, supported by mtDNA sequences and morphology.
abstract: A new species of the lacertid genus Eremias Fitzinger, 1834 is described from northwest of Isfahan province, Central Iran. Two mitochondrial genes (cyt b and 12S DNA) were sequenced and analyzed as reliable molecular markers for the separation of this newly discovered species from closely related species within the genus Eremias: E. velox, E. persica, E. papenfussi, E. lalezharica, E. montana, E. strauchi, E. kopetdaghica and E. suphani. Genetic distances (K2-p) between any of these species with the newly described species are relatively high (27.5-32.8% for cyt b and 5.2-10.4% for 12S DNA). Phylogenetic analyses (MP, ML and BI) generated trees with very similar topologies. According to molecular and morphological data, Eremias isfahanica sp. nov. belongs to the subgenus Aspidorhinus, and is closely related to E. papenfussi. Because several new Eremias species have recently been described from the Iranian Plateau, we additionally provide an updated identification key.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran; Email: rastegarpouyani45@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eskandar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rastegar-Pouyani
authors.affiliation: Young Researchers and Elite Club, Islamic Azad University, Shirvan Branch, Shirvan, Iran; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosseinian
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Isfahan, Iran; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Soolmaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rafiee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Haji Gholi
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kami
authors.affiliation: Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology,Kerman, Iran; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajabizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology,Kerman, Iran; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wink
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D007492:Iran; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial