A new species of Eremias (Sauria: Lacertidae) from highlands of Kermanshah Province, western Iran

Abstract

A new and distinctive species of the genus and subgenus Eremias is described from the highlands of Kermanshah Province, western Iran at about 1800 m elevation. It is easily distinguished from all other species of the typical subgenus) by a variable number of postmentals (4-5 pairs), smaller size, and distinctive color pattern. Furthermore, it can be distinguished by having a combination of characters against any of the species in the typical subgenus. Systematics of the genus and subgenus Eremias is shortly discussed.