Systematics and Distribution of the Iranian Plateau Leaf-toed Geckos of the Genus Asaccus (Sauria: Gekkonidae)

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

H. Parsa ¹

Hamzeh Oraei ²

Azar Khosravani ²

Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani ²

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22067/ijab.v5i2.3338

Abstract

A review of the known Iranian species of the genus Asaccus is presented. The genus Asaccus is divided into two distinct geographical lineages. The nominotypical group is endemic to the Mesopotamian region (western Iran, eastern Iraq, Turkey and Syria), and includes Asaccus elisae, A. griseonatus, A. kermanshahensis, A. kurdistanensis, A. nasrullahi and A. saffinae, all restricted to the Zagros Mountains and neighboring regions. The second group, occurring in the northern Oman Mountains as well as some areas in the United Arab Emirates, includes A. caudivolvulus, A. gallagheri, A. montanus and A. platyrhynchus. Historical and biogeographical events in the Middle East have had a major impact on the distribution and subsequent evolution of Asaccus. A key to all species of Asaccus is provided.

Keywords

Asaccus

Gekkonidae

Phyllodactylidae

Iranian Plateau

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