The mitochondrial phylogeography and intraspecific taxonomy of the Steppe Racerunner, Eremias arguta (Pallas) (Lacertidae: Sauria, Reptilia), reflects biogeographic patterns in Middle Asia

Abstract

Steppe racerunner, Eremias (Eremias) arguta, is one of the most widespread species of the Asian racerunners (genus Eremias). Several subspecies were traditionally recognized however, morphological variability is so high that delimitation of these subspecies was always problematic. Here we present a phylogenetic hypothesis for this species based on cytochrome b sequences (55 samples from 35 populations, 900 bp partial sequences), infer it biogeography and the revise its subspecific structure. Six major phylogenetic lineages were revealed. The southernmost populations (E. a. uzbekistanica) from Uzbekistan form a clade together with the Issyk-Kul Lake subspecies (E. a. darevskii) based on both molecular and morphological evidence. Within more northern populations, there is a split between populations from Northern Caucasus, Europe and Western Kazakhstan (E. a. deserti) and Central and Eastern Kazakhstan populations (E. a. arguta). Transcaucasian (E. a. transcaucasica) steppe racerunners are grouped with Middle Asian populations. Finally, the easternmost samples, assigned to "E. a. potanini" are nested within the E. a. arguta clade. Populations from the Ili River Valley form a separate lineage sister to the clade joining all other E. arguta lineages and might represent a yet undescribed taxon. Species distribution in relation to historical biogeography of Middle Asia is discussed.

MtDNA differentiation and taxonomy of Central Asian racerunners of Eremias multiocellata-E. przewalskii species complex (Squamata, Lacertidae)

“…From many forms of Eremias described between XIXʹXX centuries as a result of the Central Asian expeditions carried out by Nikolay Przewalski and his followers, the comprehensive monograph of Szczerbak (1974) recognized as valid species only E. multiocellata, E. przewalskii, E. buechneri, E. quadrifrons from Central Asia and E. argus and E. brenchleyi from Eastern Asia. In his monograph, Szczerbak (1974) discriminated Eremias taxa mostly using mean character values for large sample sizes grouped a priori to geographic populations and thus many local variations remained unnoticed in his analysis (Poyarkov et al 2014). However, even morphologically "good" species in Central Asian Eremias are often difficult to diagnose due to high ecological and geographic variation of characters and presence of numerous "intermediate" forms and populations.…”

Phylogeography and Ecological Niche Modeling of the Alashan Pit Viper (Gloydius cognatus; Reptilia, Viperidae) in Northwest China and Adjacent Areas

“…The divergence of the N1 lineage may be associated with the long-standing (since the Late Pliocene) isolated position of the Ily Basin due to mountainous surroundings and a specific relatively temperate semi-arid climate, dominated by the penetration of westerly winds [97]. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that the Ily Basin may be a plausible refugium for desert herpetofauna in Central Asia [78,98,99]. Meanwhile, it should be noted that a sample (CHS825) from Bole (the Junggar Basin) is embedded in the population from the Ily Basin (number 24 in Figure 2).…”