The reptiles of Anatolia: a checklist and zoogeographical analysis

Abstract

The geographical distribution of Reptiles in the Anatolian region is examined and discussed, in comparison with the reptile Faunas of other Near East areas. The study area was confined to the Asiatic territories included within the political borders of the Turkish Republic, and the Greek islands along the Turkish coasts; the Turkish Thrace was excluded because on the European continental shelf. An updated checklist of the 109 species of indigenous reptiles 18 Turtles, 1 Amphisbaenian, 55 Lizards, 45 Snakes, belonging to 48 genera and 19 families, is presented. For each species are given: (1) the general distribution, (2) the distribution in Anatolia, (3) the main chorotype and the demilited one, (4) a short notice on affinities where available, (5) an outline of subspecies occurring in Anatolia, (6) a map with both bibliographic and unpublished records (for indigenous species only). The term "endemic" was used for species founded solely in Anatolia or living within Anatolia and extending to some restricted adjacent areas. T'he highest number (10) of endemic taxa is referable to an "Armenian" pattern of distribution, which usually includes species inhabiting mountain or plateaux. These are usually adapted to steppe or rocky habitats in the northern Anatolia and, more or less marginally, also in Transcaucasia. Exduding the endemic species, representing the 26% of the reptile fauna, three Chorotypes are dominant: SW-Asiatic (23%), the E-Mediterranean (18%), and the Turano-Mediterranean (9%). Other chorotypes are represented in low percentages, except for the Mediterranean (5%). From the similarity dendrogram, six larger divisions corresponding to main geographic regions of Anatolia were selected and then compared wirh 13 selected geographic areas outside Anatolia, in order to check their faunistic affinities.