Integrative Taxonomy within Eremias multiocellata Complex (Sauria, Lacertidae) from the Western Part of Range: Evidence from Historical DNA

Genes (Basel). 2022 May 25;13(6):941. doi: 10.3390/genes13060941.

Abstract

The Kokshaal racerunner, Eremias kokshaaliensis Eremchenko et Panfilov, 1999, together with other central Asian racerunner species, is included in the Eremias multiocellata complex. In the present work, for the first time, the results of the analysis of historical mitochondrial DNA (barcode) are presented and the taxonomic status and preliminary phylogenetic relationships within the complex are specified. We present, for the first time, the results of the molecular analysis using historical DNA recovered from specimens of several species of this complex (paratypes of the Kokshaal racerunner and historical collections of the Kashgar racerunner E. buechneri from Kashgaria) using DNA barcoding.

Keywords: E. kokshaaliensis; Eremias multiocellata complex; Lacertidae; barcode COI; central Asia; taxonomy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Lizards* / genetics
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial

Grants and funding

This research was fulfilled in the frames of the State Themes of ZMMU 121032300105-0 and ZISP 122031100282-2 with support of Russian Science Foundation grant no. 22-14-00037 and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation grant no. 075-15-2021-1069.