Long-range relatives: on the status of the Bengal monitor, Varanus bengalensis (Squamata: Varanidae) from southeastern Iran

Document Type : Short Communications

Authors

• Hamzeh Oraie ¹
• Asghar Mobaraki ²
• Elham Abtin ³

¹ Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

² Wildlife Conservation and Management Bureau, Natural Environment Deputy, Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Environment office in Konarak County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran

10.22067/ijab.2024.88144.1072

Abstract

This study presents the first molecular evidence for Varanus bengalensis from southeastern Iran. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences confirmed that the specimens from southeastern Iran belong to the V. bengalensis lineage. The results provide convincing evidence that the V. bengalensis individuals in southeastern Iran belong to a haplotype that is widespread in India, despite the large geographical distance between the two regions.

Keywords

• Iran
• Bengal monitor lizard
• mtDNA
• Haplotype
• taxonomy
• Baluchistan

Main Subjects

• Ecology
• Morphology
• Taxonomy
• Zoogeography

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