Taxonomy and biogeography of the Iranian species ofLaudakia(Sauria: Agamidae)

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Abstract
At least 5 species of the genus Laudakia Gray, 1845, as one of the representatives of the western radiation of the Agamidae, occur on the Iranian Plateau. Based on extensive field research, collecting material from most parts of the Iranian Plateau, examination of material from museum collections, employing statistical methods, and by referring to almost all the available relevant literature, we discuss the taxonomy and biogeography of the Iranian species of Laudakia. From the standpoint of body stature and scale morphology L. caucasia and L. microlepis are distinguishable based on several species-specific characters. Furthermore, descriptive statistics and ANOVA-based pairwise comparison of metric and meristic data show that in most characters they are significantly different. Based on scale morphology, descriptive statistics as well as ANOVA it is shown that L. nupta nupta and L. n. fusca are at least subspecifically different, and this is also the case with L. melanura melanura and L. m. lirata. Different ideas concerning the nomenclature of the Palaearctic ring-tailed, rock-dwelling agamids are discussed and the generic name Laudakia Gray is adopted as the best-fitted alternative. A summary of regional geology and palaeogeographgical events is presented, and different scenarios for the origin, radiation, and subsequent evolution of Laudakia species are discussed. Both dispersal waves and vicariant events are proposed to be involved in isolation, radiation, and speciation in Laudakia, and the high mountain ranges of northeastern Afghanistan and southeastern Tajikistan (Pamir) are regarded as their hypothetical centre of origin. A key to the Iranian species of Laudakia is provided.

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