Tail autotomy is a defense mechanism used by many lizards to evade predators, but it entails costs. We used the oriental leaf-toed gecko Hemidactylus bowringii as a model animal to evaluate locomotor costs of tail aut...Tail autotomy is a defense mechanism used by many lizards to evade predators, but it entails costs. We used the oriental leaf-toed gecko Hemidactylus bowringii as a model animal to evaluate locomotor costs of tail autotomy. We removed the tail about 5 mm from the tail base from each of the experimental geckos(adult males) initially having intact tails. Tailless experimental geckos and tailed control geckos were measured for overall speed and sprint speed in both vertical and horizontal directions. Overall speed and sprint speed did not differ between tailless and tailed geckos. The influence of locomotor direction on both overall speed and sprint speed was significant, with horizontal speed being greater than vertical speed. The interaction between tail condition and locomotor direction was not significant in overall speed, but was significant in sprint speed. Tailless geckos had faster vertical sprint speed than the tailed individuals. Of the 130 field-caught adults, 59 had previously lost their tails, with most(about 61%) of them shedding their tails near the tail base. Neither the proportion of geckos with tail autotomy nor the frequency distribution of locations of the tail break differed between the sexes. Our data show that tail loss of H. bowringii occurs frequently in nature. However, tail loss does not incur locomotor costs in this gecko.展开更多
Many prey species detect chemical cues from predators and modify their behaviours in ways that reduce their risk ofpredation. Theory predicts that prey should modify their anti-predator responses according to the degr...Many prey species detect chemical cues from predators and modify their behaviours in ways that reduce their risk ofpredation. Theory predicts that prey should modify their anti-predator responses according to the degree of threat posed by thepredator. That is, prey should show the strongest responses to chemicals of highly dangerous prey, but should ignore or respondweakly to chemicals from non-dangerous predators. However, if anti-predator behaviours are not costly, and predators are rarelyencountered, prey may exhibit generalised antipredator behaviours to dangerous and non-dangerous predators. In Australia, mostelapid snakes eat lizards, and are therefore potentially dangerous to lizard prey. Recently, we found that the nocturnal velvetgecko Oedura lesueurii responds to chemicals from dangerous and non-dangerous elapid snakes, suggesting that it displays generalisedanti-predator behaviours to chemicals from elapid snakes. To explore the generality of this result, we videotaped the behaviourof velvet geckos in the presence of chemical cues from two small elapid snakes that rarely consume geckos: the nocturnalgolden-crowned snake Cacophis squamulosus and the diurnal marsh snake Hemiaspis signata. We also videotaped geckos in trialsinvolving unscented cards (controls) and cologne-scented cards (pungency controls). In trials involving Cacophis and Hemiaspischemicals, 50% and 63% of geckos spent long time periods (> 3 min) freezing whilst pressed flat against the substrate, respectively.Over half the geckos tested exhibited anti-predator behaviours (tail waving, tail vibration, running) in response to Cacophis(67%) or Hemiaspis (63%) chemicals. These behaviours were not observed in control or pungency control trials. Our resultssupport the idea that the velvet gecko displays generalised anti-predator responses to chemical cues from elapid snakes.Generalised responses to predator chemicals may be common in prey species that co-occur with multiple, ecologically similar,dangerous predators [Current Zoology 56 (3): 337展开更多
The Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko(Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in Asia and there have been concerns regarding locally decreasing populations due to overexploitation for traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studi...The Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko(Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in Asia and there have been concerns regarding locally decreasing populations due to overexploitation for traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies of the genetic relationships of G. gecko populations included few populations from Thailand. Here we investigated the phylogeographic patterns of G. gecko from different regions in Thailand using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two lineages: one(Lineage A) comprising populations from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand;and a second(Lineage B) comprising three genetically distinct groups within Thailand alone. Some Thai populations were found to have both lineages represented within them. Highly significant genetic differentiation(FST) showed geographic population structuring in Lineage B, indicating limited gene flow among groups in Thailand. Although G. gecko has a wide distribution and is well adapted to human habitation, the observed genetic structure could potentially be explained by geographic barriers such as mountain ranges. In Lineage A, our study provided primary phylogeographic evidence for lineage mixture that might be a result of human-mediated transport. Future research should include more extensive sampling across the geographic distribution of G. gecko and a landscape genetics approach could be applied for conservation planning.展开更多
Cyrtodactylus geckos are one of the most speciose and diverse groups of extant lizards known,distributed throughout the Asian and Pacific realms.Using molecular phylogenetic methods and supporting morphological data,w...Cyrtodactylus geckos are one of the most speciose and diverse groups of extant lizards known,distributed throughout the Asian and Pacific realms.Using molecular phylogenetic methods and supporting morphological data,we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus in Daweishan National Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China.Cyrtodactylus hekouensis sp.nov.can be morphologically distinguished from its nearby congeners by the following characters:maximum SVL 92.3 mm and TL 98.5 mm;11-12 supralabials;11-12 infralabials;36-57 scale rows between the fifth supralabials;10-13 dorsal tubercles rows;3 postnasals on blunt and smooth front snout;precloacalfemoral pores in a continuous series of 33-39(females with pitted scales)located under vent/cloaca and thighs in both sexes;precloacal groove absent;3/3 postcloacal tubercles;subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger 21 or 22,under the fourth toe 20-23;smooth midbody with smooth venter and tuberculate dorsal scale rows,tubercles from head to tail base;dorsal transverse patterns are generally large,bilaterally symmetrical.The results of the phylogenetic analysis recover specimens of this new species as sister to a clade containing C.wayakonei and C.martini.Uncorrected pairwise intraspecific distances were<1%,and distances between our new species and other Cyrtodactylus species from nearby countries ranged from 14.2%to 26.8%.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the bioecological relationship between Chagas disease peridomestic vectors and reptiles as source of feeding.Methods:In a three-story building,triatomines were captured by direct search and el...Objective:To investigate the bioecological relationship between Chagas disease peridomestic vectors and reptiles as source of feeding.Methods:In a three-story building,triatomines were captured by direct search and electric vacuum cleaner search in and outside the building.Then,age structure of the captured Triatoma maculata(T.maculata) were identified and recorded.Reptiles living in sympatric with the triatomines were also searched.Results:T.maculata were found living sympatric with geckos(Thecadactylus rapicauda) and they bit residents of the apartment building in study.A total of 1 448 individuals of T.maculata were captured within three days,of which 74.2%(1 074 eggs) were eggs,21.5%were nymphs at different stages,and 4.3%were adults.Conclusions:The association of T.maculata and T.rapicauda is an effective strategy of colonizing dwellings located in the vicinity of the habitat where both species are present;and therefore,could have implications of high importance in the intradomiciliary transmission of Chagas disease.展开更多
We provide confirmed photographic evidence for the previously overlooked occurrence of the polyphyletic Asian gecko genus Cnemaspis from Gunung Mulu National Park, the world-renowned UNESCO natural heritage site in no...We provide confirmed photographic evidence for the previously overlooked occurrence of the polyphyletic Asian gecko genus Cnemaspis from Gunung Mulu National Park, the world-renowned UNESCO natural heritage site in northern Sarawak, East Malaysia. This new record from Sarawak province represents a remarkable range extension for Cnemaspis cf. kendallii by 550 km to the northeast and denotes the most northern occurrence of the genus in Borneo. Our new finding makes it very likely that these gekkonid lizards also inhabit appropriate limestone karst habitats in adjacent Sabah, Brunei, and Kalimantan. Given the visible differences in the Mulu specimen compared to those from the remaining distribution range on Borneo and the Malaysian Peninsula together with the fact that numerous Cnemaspis species are restricted to small areas, it seems plausible that another undescribed, rather cryptic and possibly locally endemic Bornean species is involved. Lastly, the new record contributes to the importance of the Mulu National Park as a major conservation area in East Malaysia of international concerns.展开更多
Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one ju...Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one juvenile） have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size（60–91 mm）, 0–2 small internasals, 10–13 supralabials, 10–13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4–10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10–12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.展开更多
We provide the first description of the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Gekko japonicus, Gekko chinensis and Hemidactylus bowrigii for further understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of Gekkonidae. Mature...We provide the first description of the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Gekko japonicus, Gekko chinensis and Hemidactylus bowrigii for further understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of Gekkonidae. Mature spermatozoa of the three species differ in the occurrence and shape of epinuclear electron-lucent zone, nuclear space, neck cylinder and mitochondria. G. japonicus and G. chinensis have similar spermatozoan ultrastructure while H. bowrigii differs from these two species. In addition, these three species have neck cylinder with mitochondria in neck region and dense bodies arranged in grid with mitochondria in the midpiece, which may be the autapomorphies of the family Gekkonidae. Statistical analyses reveal that： total length of the spermatozoa was significantly different between G. japonicus and G. chinensis, as well as between G. japonicus and H. bowrigii（F2,57 = 23.66, P 〈 0.0001）; G. japonicus and H. bowrigii differ in head length（F2,43 = 4.64, P 〈 0.05） and the width of nuclear base（F2,22 = 3.97, P 〈0.05）. In addition, the midpiece length（F2,33 = 23.66, P 〈 0.01） of the spermatozoa was significantly different between H. bowrigii and G. japonicus, and also between H. bowrigii and G. chinensis. Lengths of perforatorium, acrosomal complex and nuclear rostrum and the width of nuclear shoulder are similar in all three species. Our results indicated that the sperm ultrastructure contained intra and intergeneric variabilities which is helpful for better understanding their genetic relationships.展开更多
The Caspian bent-toed gecko, Tenuidactylus caspius, belonging to the family Gekkonidae, is widely distributed across the northern half of Iran, especially along the southern coastal region of the Caspian Sea. It is re...The Caspian bent-toed gecko, Tenuidactylus caspius, belonging to the family Gekkonidae, is widely distributed across the northern half of Iran, especially along the southern coastal region of the Caspian Sea. It is regarded as a commensal species throughout its entire distribution. We investigated genetic variation and relationships among different populations of this species in Iran. Fragments of the mitochondrial cyt b（547 bp） and ND4（831 bp） genes were sequenced and analyzed in 64 and 28 specimens, respectively, from 21 geographically distant localities. Cyrtopodion scabrum was used as the outgroup taxon. The data showed no significant genetic variation within the populations of T. caspius in Iran. Nevertheless, populations of Khorasan and Semnan（especially Shahrood） in northeastern Iran showed greater divergence（p-distance = 2.1%） from other Iranian populations. The low genetic variation and homogeneous structure among populations of T. caspius on either side of the Elburz Mountains suggests that this species most likely has achieved its current distribution recently and as a result of anthropogenic activities.展开更多
During extensive field work in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran, from October 2013 to November 2014, twenty five localities in different areas of the Kermanshah Province were investigated. Nineteen specimens of Schm...During extensive field work in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran, from October 2013 to November 2014, twenty five localities in different areas of the Kermanshah Province were investigated. Nineteen specimens of Schmidtler＇s dwarf gecko, Microgecko helenae fasciatus, were collected from six localities in western and southeastern regions of the Kermanshah Province. This new collection verifies the presence of M. h. fasciatus in the area after the description of Schmidtler and Schmidtler of the holotype specimen in 1972. All of the collected specimens are consistent with the described specimens in diagnostic characters, as have a uniform dorsal pattern with five distinct dark crossbars and white posterior margins as well as the higher number of dorsal scales between axilla and groin. Detailed morphology of the new specimens is discussed and compared with those of rare previous records. Taxonomy, distribution, and habitat types of this tiny gecko in the western foothills of the Zagros Mountains are also discussed.展开更多
基金supported by grants from Innovative Team Project of Nanjing Normal University(Project No.0319PM0902)Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(CXLX11_0885)to Xiang JI
文摘Tail autotomy is a defense mechanism used by many lizards to evade predators, but it entails costs. We used the oriental leaf-toed gecko Hemidactylus bowringii as a model animal to evaluate locomotor costs of tail autotomy. We removed the tail about 5 mm from the tail base from each of the experimental geckos(adult males) initially having intact tails. Tailless experimental geckos and tailed control geckos were measured for overall speed and sprint speed in both vertical and horizontal directions. Overall speed and sprint speed did not differ between tailless and tailed geckos. The influence of locomotor direction on both overall speed and sprint speed was significant, with horizontal speed being greater than vertical speed. The interaction between tail condition and locomotor direction was not significant in overall speed, but was significant in sprint speed. Tailless geckos had faster vertical sprint speed than the tailed individuals. Of the 130 field-caught adults, 59 had previously lost their tails, with most(about 61%) of them shedding their tails near the tail base. Neither the proportion of geckos with tail autotomy nor the frequency distribution of locations of the tail break differed between the sexes. Our data show that tail loss of H. bowringii occurs frequently in nature. However, tail loss does not incur locomotor costs in this gecko.
基金the bao foundationAustralian Research Council Provided Financial Assistance
文摘Many prey species detect chemical cues from predators and modify their behaviours in ways that reduce their risk ofpredation. Theory predicts that prey should modify their anti-predator responses according to the degree of threat posed by thepredator. That is, prey should show the strongest responses to chemicals of highly dangerous prey, but should ignore or respondweakly to chemicals from non-dangerous predators. However, if anti-predator behaviours are not costly, and predators are rarelyencountered, prey may exhibit generalised antipredator behaviours to dangerous and non-dangerous predators. In Australia, mostelapid snakes eat lizards, and are therefore potentially dangerous to lizard prey. Recently, we found that the nocturnal velvetgecko Oedura lesueurii responds to chemicals from dangerous and non-dangerous elapid snakes, suggesting that it displays generalisedanti-predator behaviours to chemicals from elapid snakes. To explore the generality of this result, we videotaped the behaviourof velvet geckos in the presence of chemical cues from two small elapid snakes that rarely consume geckos: the nocturnalgolden-crowned snake Cacophis squamulosus and the diurnal marsh snake Hemiaspis signata. We also videotaped geckos in trialsinvolving unscented cards (controls) and cologne-scented cards (pungency controls). In trials involving Cacophis and Hemiaspischemicals, 50% and 63% of geckos spent long time periods (> 3 min) freezing whilst pressed flat against the substrate, respectively.Over half the geckos tested exhibited anti-predator behaviours (tail waving, tail vibration, running) in response to Cacophis(67%) or Hemiaspis (63%) chemicals. These behaviours were not observed in control or pungency control trials. Our resultssupport the idea that the velvet gecko displays generalised anti-predator responses to chemical cues from elapid snakes.Generalised responses to predator chemicals may be common in prey species that co-occur with multiple, ecologically similar,dangerous predators [Current Zoology 56 (3): 337
基金supported by the Thailand Research Fund (MRG5380088)Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI)Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Kasetsart University for approving the research protocols (ACKU61-SCI-008)
文摘The Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko(Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in Asia and there have been concerns regarding locally decreasing populations due to overexploitation for traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies of the genetic relationships of G. gecko populations included few populations from Thailand. Here we investigated the phylogeographic patterns of G. gecko from different regions in Thailand using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two lineages: one(Lineage A) comprising populations from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand;and a second(Lineage B) comprising three genetically distinct groups within Thailand alone. Some Thai populations were found to have both lineages represented within them. Highly significant genetic differentiation(FST) showed geographic population structuring in Lineage B, indicating limited gene flow among groups in Thailand. Although G. gecko has a wide distribution and is well adapted to human habitation, the observed genetic structure could potentially be explained by geographic barriers such as mountain ranges. In Lineage A, our study provided primary phylogeographic evidence for lineage mixture that might be a result of human-mediated transport. Future research should include more extensive sampling across the geographic distribution of G. gecko and a landscape genetics approach could be applied for conservation planning.
基金supported by grants from the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0501)National Natural Science Foundation of China(31702008)+2 种基金Young talent project of China Association for Science and Technology(2019–2021QNRC001)Yunnan Fundamental Research Project(202001AW070016,202005AC160046)Biodiversity Investigation,Observation and Assessment Program(2019-2023)of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China to Z.Y.Y.and J.W.
文摘Cyrtodactylus geckos are one of the most speciose and diverse groups of extant lizards known,distributed throughout the Asian and Pacific realms.Using molecular phylogenetic methods and supporting morphological data,we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus in Daweishan National Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China.Cyrtodactylus hekouensis sp.nov.can be morphologically distinguished from its nearby congeners by the following characters:maximum SVL 92.3 mm and TL 98.5 mm;11-12 supralabials;11-12 infralabials;36-57 scale rows between the fifth supralabials;10-13 dorsal tubercles rows;3 postnasals on blunt and smooth front snout;precloacalfemoral pores in a continuous series of 33-39(females with pitted scales)located under vent/cloaca and thighs in both sexes;precloacal groove absent;3/3 postcloacal tubercles;subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger 21 or 22,under the fourth toe 20-23;smooth midbody with smooth venter and tuberculate dorsal scale rows,tubercles from head to tail base;dorsal transverse patterns are generally large,bilaterally symmetrical.The results of the phylogenetic analysis recover specimens of this new species as sister to a clade containing C.wayakonei and C.martini.Uncorrected pairwise intraspecific distances were<1%,and distances between our new species and other Cyrtodactylus species from nearby countries ranged from 14.2%to 26.8%.
基金Supported by Proyecto Control de Vectores IMT-UCV
文摘Objective:To investigate the bioecological relationship between Chagas disease peridomestic vectors and reptiles as source of feeding.Methods:In a three-story building,triatomines were captured by direct search and electric vacuum cleaner search in and outside the building.Then,age structure of the captured Triatoma maculata(T.maculata) were identified and recorded.Reptiles living in sympatric with the triatomines were also searched.Results:T.maculata were found living sympatric with geckos(Thecadactylus rapicauda) and they bit residents of the apartment building in study.A total of 1 448 individuals of T.maculata were captured within three days,of which 74.2%(1 074 eggs) were eggs,21.5%were nymphs at different stages,and 4.3%were adults.Conclusions:The association of T.maculata and T.rapicauda is an effective strategy of colonizing dwellings located in the vicinity of the habitat where both species are present;and therefore,could have implications of high importance in the intradomiciliary transmission of Chagas disease.
基金Funding for travel expenses of A. Koch was granted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
文摘We provide confirmed photographic evidence for the previously overlooked occurrence of the polyphyletic Asian gecko genus Cnemaspis from Gunung Mulu National Park, the world-renowned UNESCO natural heritage site in northern Sarawak, East Malaysia. This new record from Sarawak province represents a remarkable range extension for Cnemaspis cf. kendallii by 550 km to the northeast and denotes the most northern occurrence of the genus in Borneo. Our new finding makes it very likely that these gekkonid lizards also inhabit appropriate limestone karst habitats in adjacent Sabah, Brunei, and Kalimantan. Given the visible differences in the Mulu specimen compared to those from the remaining distribution range on Borneo and the Malaysian Peninsula together with the fact that numerous Cnemaspis species are restricted to small areas, it seems plausible that another undescribed, rather cryptic and possibly locally endemic Bornean species is involved. Lastly, the new record contributes to the importance of the Mulu National Park as a major conservation area in East Malaysia of international concerns.
基金financially supported by a Fellowship for Young International Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. Y4J3011100) to TJ
文摘Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one juvenile） have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size（60–91 mm）, 0–2 small internasals, 10–13 supralabials, 10–13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4–10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10–12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.
基金supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31170376)
文摘We provide the first description of the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Gekko japonicus, Gekko chinensis and Hemidactylus bowrigii for further understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of Gekkonidae. Mature spermatozoa of the three species differ in the occurrence and shape of epinuclear electron-lucent zone, nuclear space, neck cylinder and mitochondria. G. japonicus and G. chinensis have similar spermatozoan ultrastructure while H. bowrigii differs from these two species. In addition, these three species have neck cylinder with mitochondria in neck region and dense bodies arranged in grid with mitochondria in the midpiece, which may be the autapomorphies of the family Gekkonidae. Statistical analyses reveal that： total length of the spermatozoa was significantly different between G. japonicus and G. chinensis, as well as between G. japonicus and H. bowrigii（F2,57 = 23.66, P 〈 0.0001）; G. japonicus and H. bowrigii differ in head length（F2,43 = 4.64, P 〈 0.05） and the width of nuclear base（F2,22 = 3.97, P 〈0.05）. In addition, the midpiece length（F2,33 = 23.66, P 〈 0.01） of the spermatozoa was significantly different between H. bowrigii and G. japonicus, and also between H. bowrigii and G. chinensis. Lengths of perforatorium, acrosomal complex and nuclear rostrum and the width of nuclear shoulder are similar in all three species. Our results indicated that the sperm ultrastructure contained intra and intergeneric variabilities which is helpful for better understanding their genetic relationships.
基金supported by the Iran National Scientific Foundation(INSF) under proposal number of 89001493
文摘The Caspian bent-toed gecko, Tenuidactylus caspius, belonging to the family Gekkonidae, is widely distributed across the northern half of Iran, especially along the southern coastal region of the Caspian Sea. It is regarded as a commensal species throughout its entire distribution. We investigated genetic variation and relationships among different populations of this species in Iran. Fragments of the mitochondrial cyt b（547 bp） and ND4（831 bp） genes were sequenced and analyzed in 64 and 28 specimens, respectively, from 21 geographically distant localities. Cyrtopodion scabrum was used as the outgroup taxon. The data showed no significant genetic variation within the populations of T. caspius in Iran. Nevertheless, populations of Khorasan and Semnan（especially Shahrood） in northeastern Iran showed greater divergence（p-distance = 2.1%） from other Iranian populations. The low genetic variation and homogeneous structure among populations of T. caspius on either side of the Elburz Mountains suggests that this species most likely has achieved its current distribution recently and as a result of anthropogenic activities.
文摘During extensive field work in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran, from October 2013 to November 2014, twenty five localities in different areas of the Kermanshah Province were investigated. Nineteen specimens of Schmidtler＇s dwarf gecko, Microgecko helenae fasciatus, were collected from six localities in western and southeastern regions of the Kermanshah Province. This new collection verifies the presence of M. h. fasciatus in the area after the description of Schmidtler and Schmidtler of the holotype specimen in 1972. All of the collected specimens are consistent with the described specimens in diagnostic characters, as have a uniform dorsal pattern with five distinct dark crossbars and white posterior margins as well as the higher number of dorsal scales between axilla and groin. Detailed morphology of the new specimens is discussed and compared with those of rare previous records. Taxonomy, distribution, and habitat types of this tiny gecko in the western foothills of the Zagros Mountains are also discussed.
