نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
گروه زیستشناسی، دانشکده علوم، دانشگاه قم، قم، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
The genus Ophiomorus (family Scincidae) represents one of the most morphologically distinctive reptile groups in Iran, characterized by limb regression and reduced digit number. Comprising 12 recognized species with uneven global distribution, seven are known from Iran, including four endemic species (O. maranjabensis, O. nuchalis, O. persicus, O. streeti) and three non-endemic species (O. blanfordii, O. brevipes, O. tridactylus). Due to their fossorial lifestyle and the biogeographic importance of the Iranian Plateau, accurate mapping of their distribution is essential for revising species ranges and informing conservation strategies. This study focused on the eastern, southern, and southeastern sectors of the Central Iranian Plateau, with emphasis on the Baluchestan and Makran regions. Fieldwork was conducted between 2017 and 2021 through direct sampling. Specimens were preserved in 75% ethanol and deposited in the Zoological Museum of Hakim Sabzevari University. New distributional records were documented for multiple species. O. blanfordii was recorded for the first time in Hormozgan, O. brevipes in Fars Province and Qeshm Island, O. nuchalis in Arak and Tabas, and O. streeti in southeastern Kerman. These findings prompted revisions to species distribution maps and identification keys. Analysis revealed that the Iranian Plateau—particularly its southern and eastern zones—plays a central role in the biodiversity and evolutionary dynamics of Ophiomorus. Morphological and ecological variation among species, including digit count and scale configuration, offers reliable criteria for species delimitation. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of Iran’s reptile fauna and supports targeted conservation efforts for fossorial and vulnerable taxa.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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