Variation in Mediterranean populations of Mauremys Gray 1869 (Reptilia, Testudines, Emydidae)

Abstract

Morphological data from the three subspecies of Mauremys caspica are analyzed and, along with distributional and biochemical information, suggest the recognition of M. c. leprosa as a distinct species. Mauremys c. caspica and M. c. rivulata are distinct populations but apparently remain genetically contiguous. Morphological variation among the three taxa was found to be discordant with genetic variation; implications of this result for the evolutionary history of Mauremys are discussed