Evaluation of Trapelus agilis species complex (Olivier, 1874) (Sauria: Agamidae) in Iran based on both morphological and ecological analyses

Taxonomic evaluation is one of the challenges that are being faced by taxonomists. They use different criteria to evaluate taxonomic validity of a given lineage. In the present study, we evaluate different populations of Trapelus agilis in Iran by using morphoecological approach. Our morphological results confirmed separation of T. agilis khuzestanensis, southeastern Iran and Qom groups, from other central and northeastern groups. Ecological niche of T. agilis khuzestanensis and southeastern, Qom, and northeastern Iranian populations can be differentiated from other groups. Differences are due to local adaptations and the geological history of the taxa. The Central Iranian Plateau aridification, after Zagros Mountain uplifting, created constant environmental conditions, which may have affected the central Iranian groups. Other smaller groups distributed in southeastern Iran, T. agilis khuzestanensis, T. sanguinolentus, and Qom groups are isolated from central populations and adapted locally.