Racerunners of Kyrgyzstan and southeastern part of Kazakhstan (Sauria, Lacertidae, Eremias multiocellata-complex)

Abstract

Four species from the E. multiocellata-complex occur in Kyrgyzstan and southeastern Kazakhstan. The taxonomic state of the populations from Kazakhstan is ambiguous. The results of comparative morphological analysis (habitus, color pattern on the dorsal side of the body, metric and meristic characters) in the E. stummeri from two localities in Kyrgyzstan (including type locality) and south-eastern Kazakhstan are presented. Significant differences were revealed in Sq., G. and L. /L. cd features. As a result, the racerunners from the southeastern Kazakhstan are morphologically identified as E. stummeri. Our observations and the analysis of the museum collections confirm independent specific states of three allopatric species of E. multiocellata-complex in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakh Tien Shan. Refs 14. Figs 1. Tables 1.