Comparative skeletal osteology of three species of Scincid lizards (Genus: Ablepharus) from Turkey

Abstract

Despite the abundance and diversity of lizards in the family Scincidae, descriptions of their cranial and postcranial osteologies are almost nonexistent. Here, we provide detailed descriptions of adult skeletal morphologies in three scincid species: Ablepharus kitaibelii, A. chernovi and A. budaki. The skeletal elements of these lizards are described on cleared and double-stained specimens. The general pattern of the cranial and postcranial skeletons in the three scincid species is characterized by the absence of the palatal teeth, presence of thirteen scleral ossicles in each eye, pattern of fore- hindlimb, and shape of the clavicle and interclavicle. Additionally, there are some remarkable variations regarding the number, size and position of the bones. These include the size and shape of the nasal, the degree of fusion or separation of the postfrontal and postorbital and the number of presacral vertebrae and marginal teeth.