Racer populations from the Levant to the Caspian region referred to Platyceps ventromaculatus (Gray, 1834) (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubrinae)

Abstract

Populations of Gray's racer from southeastern Anatolia and Syria to western Iran (Platyceps cf. ventromaculatus) show considerable variability in a number of scale characters, dorsal colour pattern, dentition, and hemipenis length. Zamenis rogersi Anderson is conspecific with P. cf. ventromaculatus (Gray). This taxon is recorded from the Cyrenaica (eastern Libya) to at least as far east as the Kopet Dag area (Golestan). Its distribution in eastern Iran and the systematic status of northern African and Middle East populations vis-à-vis Sindian P. ventromaculatus (sensu stricto) are in need of further investigations.