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Acanthodactylus boskianus is a widespread species in Northern Africa and Western Asia. In this study, we used morphological and genetic approaches to study populations of A. boskianus from the Zagros Mountains in western Iran, the easternmost limit of the species’ distribution. Our morphological and genetic data indicate that populations of A. boskianus in Iran are distinct from other populations of A. boskianus. Therefore, we describe the Iranian populations as Acanthodactylus zagrosicus sp. nov. The new species is the third endemic species of Acanthodactylus in Iran and the ninth Acanthodactylus species distributed in Iran overall. According to our surveys, this species is distributed widely in the Zagros Mountains including Kermanshah, Lorestan, Ilam, and Khuzestan Provinces.

Lizards increasingly are recognized as suitable contaminant biomonitors in terrestrial ecosystems. Previously, we have shown that Bosk's fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) living close to the Gabès-Ghannouche industrial complex for fertilizer and acid production in southern Tunisia were contaminated by heavy metals. However, the impact of this contamination on lizard health parameters has not been investigated. In this study, we used the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test to assess whether the proximity to the industrial complex was associated with notable changes in lizard cell-mediated immune response (CMI). Our results showed significantly lower CMI in lizards living close to the industrial complex compared to those occurring farther away in a similar coastal habitat. Overall, our findings are consistent with the idea of immunotoxic effects of metal contamination. They also stress the usefulness of the PHA approach as an efficient tool for the evaluation of contaminant-related immunosuppression in lizards.

Background: Despite the fact that Egypt contains a large number of lizard species, yet there is little knowledge recorded regarding the helminth fauna infecting this group of hosts. A parasitological study on gastrointestinal helminths of lizards was carried out during Summer (August) and Autumn (September and October), 2014 and 2015, respectively. Objective: This study aims to update information on helminth parasites that infect lizards in Egypt. Material and Methods: Seven species of lizards, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus Heyden, 1827; Trapelus mutabilis Merrem, 1820 (Agamidae); Tarentola mauritanica mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Phyllodactylidae); Tropiocolotes tripolitanus Peters, 1880 (Gekkonidae); Acanthodactylus boskianus Daudin, 1802 (Lacertidae); Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 (Chamaeleonidae); and Varanus niloticus Linnaeus, 1766 (Varanidae), were collected from several parts of Egypt. These hosts were dissected and examined for gastrointestinal helminth. The collected helminths were fixed in 70% ethanol, stained with carmine and examined by using an Olympus CX31 microscope and a Zeiss Stemi 2000-C microscope. Results: The total prevalence of infection with helminths was 35.9%. The study recorded 16 species of helminths recognised as: six species of digenea [Prosthodendrium obtusum (Looss, 1896) Bhalerao, 1936, Pleurogenoides tener (Olsson, 1876) Travassos, 1921, Anchitrema sanguineum (Sonsino, 1894) Looss, 1899, Cyclorchis varani Price, 1936, Mesostephanus milvi Yamaguti, 1939 and Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) Looss, 1899], four species of cestodes [three adults, Oochostrica mutabili Morsyet al., 2013, Duthiersia fimbriata Diesing, 1854 and one unidentified cestode and one tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp.] and six species of nematodes [Parapharyngodon micipsae Seurat, 1917, Pharyngodon inermicauda Baylis, 1923, Abbreviata leptosome Gervais, 1848, Thubunaea pudica Seurat, 1914, Tanqua tiara (von Linstow, 1879) Blanchard, 1904 and Spinicauda sonsinoi (Linstow, 1894) Travassos, 1920]. Conclusion: This study documents 10 new host and 10 new locality records in Egypt and distinguishes between studied material and reported descriptions. These findings add significantly to the present information on helminths infecting lizards in Egypt.

The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and fine structure of the liver of Acanthodactylus boskianus during the hibernation period, using ten adult specimens captured from sandy areas of Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Specimens of liver were fixed for light and transmission electron microscope to study the hepatic architecture during this period. In addition to haematoxylin and eosin stain, the histochemical and special stains were used. The hepatocytes are arranged in hepatic plates. The radial arrangement of hepatic cords around the central vein is generally not apparent. The several-cell-thick plate type showed with multi-layered of hepatocytes separated by narrow tortuous capillaries networks, sinusoids that are localized in the space between hepatic plates. The hepatic cells of Acanthodactylus boskianus under light and T.E.M. are similar to those of other vertebrates (birds and mammals), except for the presence of melano- macrophages.

Background The present study aimed to illustrate comparative morphological, histological, and functional variations of the hyoid apparatus of Acanthodactylus boskianus and Ptyodactylus guttatus. Result The hyoid apparatuses and musculature of the two investigated species are well-developed. The hyoid apparatuses exhibit high mobility with different articulation sites between their skeletal elements. The degree of ossification of the hyoid apparatus of gecko is more developed than that of the lacertid lizard. In P. guttatus, a well-developed synchondrosis articulation appears between the basihyoid and ceratobranchialis of the hyoid apparatus. Meanwhile, in A. boskianus, the articular ligament which appears between basihyoid and ceratobranchialis is less developed and also appears as a ligament connection between the two parts of hyoid cornua in which ligaments provide more mobility to the hyoid of lacertid lizard. Conclusion The results reflect a phylogenetically informative character about these clad and explain the different functional demands imposed on the hyoid apparatus as well as confirm the important role of hyoid apparatus in the movement of the tongue during the prey transport.

The current observations focused on the ultrastructure comparison between the tongue of two reptile species endemic the Egyptian fauna; Bosc's fringe-toed lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus and Sinai fan-fingered gecko Ptyodactylus guttatus to exhibit the relationship between the lingual epithelium and its function according to their specific feeding strategy. A. boskianus possessed triangular elongated tongue with bifurcated tapering apex and wide base while; the P. guttatus had a triangular flattened tongue with conical shallow bifurcated apex and broad base. The ventral surface of the lingual apex of A. boskianus had transverse while in P. guttatus had two oval pads and median ventral groove. Both surfaces of the tongue of both examined species are covered by stratified squamous epithelium with great variability of degree of keratinization. The dorsal epithelium formed flattened and conical filiform papillae in A. boskianus, while in P. guttatus formed cylindrical papillae, conical, and tall filiform ones. Few taste buds are observed on the fore-tongue but increase on the mid-tongue of A. boskianus, while in P. guttatus, numerous taste buds are distributed on the fore-tongue and mid-tongue. Both surfaces of the laryngeal mound of both examined species provided with numerous of cilia and orifices of laryngeal gland. The present results confirmed that the tongue of A. boskianus acts as a chemoreceptor organ to follow pheromone trails of prey and mates. While in P. guttatus the tongue may play an important role in the feeding mechanism and act as a chemoreceptor organ.

Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the osteological characters of the appendicular skeleton of two Egyptian lizard species, Acanthodactylus boskianus and Ptyodactylus guttatus and clarify the relationship between characteristics of the appendicular skeleton and mode of their locomotion of the two species. A. boskianus is diurnal insectivorous lizard forage in open area and it is a generalized ground-dwelling species and P. guttatus is a diurno-nocturnal omnivorous gecko which is a highly specialized climbing on vertical substrates. Material and methods: in the present study we used Alizarin red and Alcian blue as double skeletal staining to investigate the the bony and cartilaginous pattern of limbs and girdles of A. boskianus and P. guttatus. Results: in P. guttatus, the pectoral girdle was characterized by the presence of the interclavicles was dagger in shape and partially fused with clavicles, while it was cruciform and completely fused with the clavicles in A. boskianus. In P. guttatus, the epicoraoid was well developed, broad bony plates and fused with the interclavicles, while in A. boskianus it was narrow cartilaginous, plates and overlap in the mid-line. Moreover, in P. gutattus two fenestrae were appeared within coracoid and scapula with un-fenestrated cartilaginous sternum, while one fenestra appeared in both coracoid and sternum of A. boskianus. On other hand, the pelvic girdle of P. guttatus had complete fusions between the pubis, ischium and ilium, while in A. boskianus the pubis articulated poster-omedially with the ischium. In both P. gutattus and A. boskianus, the forelimbs posture was in horizontal plane, while the hind limbs were in vertical plane. In P. gutattus both the fore and hind limbs were relatively equal in length, while the fore limb in A. boskianus was greatly shorter than the hind limb. Conclusion: the P. gutattus is considered as a one of climbers species which have stout appendicular skeleton to support the climbing process on the vertical surface with relatively short limbs, while A. Boskianus is ground-dwellers and also good climbers and use their claws to walk and climbing on rocky areas and these abilities of locomotion depend on the flexibility of skeletal elements of its appendicular skeleton.

Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the structure and function of the integumentary system of two reptile''s species (Bosc’s fringe toed-lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus, A. boskianus)and spotted fan-fingered gecko (Ptyodactylus guttatus , P. guttatus) and discussed the influence of different behaviors on their structure (keratinzation and pigmentation, claws, adhesion pads and sensory hairlets). Material and methods: the present study used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structure of skin layers of A. boskianus and P. guttatus. Results: the thin epidermal layer of Acanthodactylus boskianus was covered by hard keratinized horny epidermal scales, while the epidermal layer of Ptyodactylus guttatus was well distinguished and covered by soft keratinized layer. Moreover, in P. guttatus the scales were non-overlapping along the whole length of the body with dome-like shaped on head region, while in A. boskianus the scales were overlapping and articulating with each other by thin hinge. In the present study the dermis of A. boskianus, was the deeper layer of collagenous connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves, while, the dermis of P. guttatus was formed of both collagenous and adipose tissues. Three types of chromatophores (melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores) were distinguished in the skin of both studied species. In A. boskianus, the melanophores were black, large and have dendrites invaginates in the stratum basale of epidermis. The iridophores (reflecting pigments) were scattered in the dermis with large number in the ventral skin than the dorsal one. In P. guttatus, melanphores they were larger, blackish brown and scattered within dermis beneath the iridophores with less number in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Xanthophores (absorbing pigment) were more prominent in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Conclusion: examination of the skin of the two studied reptile species revealed great variations in distributionof chromatophoresthrough the whole bodyreflecting the adaptation of each animal to different modes of life.

Phylogeography has contributed considerably to our understanding of factors influencing population structure and species divergence. We assessed the phylogenetic structure of the widely distributed lacertid lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus, collected for this study from the Fayoum Depression in Egypt, using partial mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA and ND4). We analyzed specimens of A. boskianus from the Fayoum Depression and compared the genetic content to gene bank-retrieved data for the South Sinai Peninsula and Siwa Oasis. The phylogenetic results indicated two isolated geographic lineages. We suggested that the divergence observed in this phylogenetic study was probably due to the geographical and physical barrier represented by the Nile River, which could have been responsible for a vicariant event producing divergent populations east and west of the Nile. Environmental factors were also discussed here.

The Acanthodactylus boskianus species group includes three species (A. boskianus, A. nilsoni, and A. schreiberi) of unclear phylogeny and phylogeographic history. By sequencing fragments of two mtDNA genes and performing phylogenetic, demographic, and chronophylogenetic analyses, we aimed at identifying their phylogenetic relationships while unravelling their biogeographic history. The analyses indicated that A. boskianus is a species complex, while A. s. schreiberi and A. s. ataturi show, both, low intraspecific genetic diversity. From a biogeographic point of view, the ancestor of A. s. schreiberi colonized Cyprus from the Middle East through overseas dispersal during the Pleistocene, whereas A. s. ataturi is considered to be a relict of a previously wider distribution.

Reptiles are a successful group in subtropical arid regions. However, little is known about the drivers that influence the diversity of arid reptile communities. One approach is to investigate the variation in phylogenetic structure of the communities along a broad environmental gradient. In this study, I investigated these patterns in the communities of lacertids at the periphery of the Sahara Desert in Tunisia. The effect of the environment was assessed based on a set of variables describing the climate, topography, substrate and cover of perennial vegetation. The phylogenetic alpha diversity was described using the mean pairwise distance (MPD) and the mean nearest taxon distance (NTD) metrics. The analyses showed that the lacertid species could be clustered into three main ecological groups: mesic (Podarcis vaucheri, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus blanci, Timon pater), xeric (Acanthodactylus blanci, Acanthodactylus boskianus, Acanthodactylus maculatus, Mesalina olivieri, Ophisops occidentalis), and hyperxeric (Acanthodactylus dumerilii, Acanthodactylus longipes, Acanthodactylus scutellatus, Mesalina guttulata). The analyses also indicated that environment had a weak influence on species richness (15.7% of explained variance), but a strong effect on the phylogenetic (76.5% NTD, 89.5% MPD) structure. The lacertid communities tended to be phylogenetically clustered on sandy substrates under arid climate conditions, and overdispersed under more humid climatic conditions.

Acanthodactylus is a genus of lacertid lizard, commonly referred to as fringe-fingered lizards or fringe-toed lizards. The systematics of the genus Acanthodactylus was classically based on external morphological traits, osteological characters and morphology of the hemipenes. In this study, partial sequences of 18S rRNA gene were used to estimate the relationships among three lacertide species from Egypt: Acanthodactylus boskianus, Acanthodactylus scutellatus and Acanthodactylus longipes. These data were used together with morphological information, to evaluate the relationships among these three species. DNA was extracted from the collected specimens, 988 bp fragment of 18S rRNA was amplified using universal primers and sequenced. The obtained sequences were analyzed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results of analysis revealed that A. scutellatus and A. longipes form a very well supported clade with 86% bootstrap. A. boskianus was found to constitute a separate clade. The resultant tree based on DNA sequence data was similar to that produced from a differentially weighted data set of morphological characters. In conclusion, the 18S rRNA gene sequence seems to be a good marker for phylogenetic analysis of Acanthodactylus species.

Cornea is the first optical element in the path of light entering the eye, playing a role in image formation and protection of the eye. The smooth optical surface of the cornea is maintained by a tear film, which adheres to a variety of microprojections. The present study aimed to examine and compare the main features of the corneal epithelial surface of a variety of vertebrate species (Rana ridibunda, Acanthodactylus boskianus, Falco tinnunculus and Gerbillus gerbillus) inhabiting different environments, by scanning electron microscopy. The mean epithelial cell densities of the present species were 3817±423, 5345±1247, 6234±2136 and 1789±216 cells/ mm², respectively. The corneal epithelium of all studied species showed similarity in that the apical cell surfaces possess regular polygonal cells and a variety of microprocesses as microholes, microplicae and microridges. Microvilli are also described. According to the densities of these microprocesses, three polymorphic cell types (light, medium and dark) appeared in R. ridibunda, A. boskianus and F. tinnunculus. However, in G. gerbillus, two cell types only were observed. In conclusion, variation in the structure of the corneal epithelial cells appears to be related to the living environment of each species, such as aerial, terrestrial and aquatic ones, in addition to some phylogenetic trends.

Acanthodactylus is a widespread lacertid genus occurring from the Iberian Peninsula and western North Africa to western India including the Middle East, Cyprus, and the Arabian Peninsula. The genus is in dire need of a taxonomic revision, and the phylogenetic relationships amongst and within its species remain unclear. In particular, the taxonomy and relationship of the allopatric, narrow-ranged Acanthodactylus schreiberi and its close relative, the widespread Acanthodactylus boskianus asper, are poorly understood. We estimated the phylogenetic and phylogeographical structure of A. schreiberi across its distribution range, and evaluated its relationships to A. b. asper, using mitochondrial and nuclear data. The phylogenetic results indicate that both species are paraphyletic, with A. schreiberi nested within A. b. asper, and the subspecies A. schreiberi syriacus nested within a distinct lineage of A. b. asper. We suggest that the group is in need of a taxonomic revision because the identified lineages and genetic diversity are incongruent with the currently recognized taxonomy. We tentatively conclude that A. schreiberi is restricted to Cyprus and Turkey, reduced to a single form, and that the populations in Lebanon and Israel belong to A. b. asper.

The infection rates of coccidian blood parasites in the common lizards (Gekkonidae: Ptyodactylus hasselquistii, Tarentola annularis, Hemidactylus turcicus; Scincidae: Chalcides ocellatus, Chalcides sepsoides, Mabuya quinquetaeniata; Varanidae: Varanus niloticus and Lacertidae: Acanthodactylus boskianus) in Qena (Egypt) were investigated; 67 lizards (42%) out of 161 lizards were infected. The infection rate was 49% among males and 37% among females. The highest infection rate was found in the Gekkonidae P. hasselquistii (100%) and T. annularis (74%). However, 17% of H. turcicus, were parasitized. Meanwhile, in the Scincidae C. ocellatus, C. sepsoides and M. quinquetaeniata the percentage of the infection was 23%, 17% and 14%, respectively. Only one V. niloticus (Varanidae) was infected. None of A. boskianus (Lacertidae) were parasitized. Seasonal variations of infection rates seem to occur in T. annularis, in which high rates were found in summer (100%) and winter (77.8%). All P. hasselquistii were infected with Karyolysus sp., and 56% contained a mixed infection with Plasmodium sp., resulting in parasitaemia up to 14%. About 30% of T. annularis infections were due to Lankesterella sp., the others were due to Haemogregarina sp., both together infecting up to 6%. Lankesterella species was found in 0.02% of H. turcicus. The parasitaemia in Scincidae were 75% in C. ocellatus and 0.02% in C. sepsoides. In M. quinquetaeniata, up to 12% of blood cells possessed Hepatozoon sp. and in V. niloticus up to 0.5% was infected with Haemogregarina sp.

The evolutionary phenomena associated with divergence in chemical signals between populations of the same species help to understand the process of speciation. Animals detect and react to semiochemicals and pheromones used in communication. Comparison between populations of the same species that are geographically isolated from one another allows us to determine the genetic or environmental factors responsible for chemical differentiation. Acanthodactylus boskianus from the east and west of Egypt were used as an example to compare the geographical diversity in chemical fingerprints of this species' femoral gland secretions and its phylogeography. Chemical analysis via GC-MS showed that the two geographically distinct populations' odor fingerprints are quantitatively different despite sharing the same components of the secretions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the eastern and western Egyptian populations are genetically distinct and that chemical divergence of these lizards' odor profiles may be an example of signal evolution.

Acanthodactylus boskianus are reproductively active in Israel from March to June. Mean clutch size was 3.2 ± 0.20, range 3–4. Males reach maturity at 50 mm snoutvent length, and females at 48 mm SVL respectively. The mean SVL of males was significantly larger than that of females. There was no evidence that females produce multiple clutches.

Hyalomma franchinii is a three-host tick with one life cycle per year under natural conditions. The immature stages of Hy. franchinii parasitize lizards and, less commonly, rodents. Adult hosts are camels, cattle, sheep and donkeys. Immature stages are found on lizards all year around, having been recorded on Acanthodactylus boskianus, Acanthodactylus schreiberi, Acanthodactylus scutellatus and Agama mutabilis according to data summarised by Apanaskevich et al. (2008). Adults appear to be most common during the cooler months of the year. Observations in Egypt (July and August) mentioned a duration of egg development of about 25 days, and a duration of larval moult of about 14–16 days (recorded in September–October).

Femoral gland secretions are believed to play an important role in chemical communication and social organization of lizards. In spite of this, few studies have investigated the chemical composition and the behavioural roles of these secretions. The lacertid lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus is a good example, having these well-developed glands in both sexes. We used GC–MS chemical analysis of gland secretions and y-maze choice test bioassays to investigate the ability of the lizards to detect and respond to different synthetic blends made from compounds identified in the gland secretions. Based upon the GC–MS quantification data, we selected representatives of the main chemical groups (steroids, alcohols, acids, alkanes) detected in the lizard secretions and used these in a behavioural bioassay against controls. Males showed significant avoidance behaviour for cholesterol and alcohol blends, combined with agonistic behaviour towards these stimuli. Females did not show any significant selection to particular odour combinations. The data support the hypotheses that lizards can potentially use femoral gland secretions in chemical odour trails and utilize scent to mark territories and potentially also to establish dominance hierarchies. Cholesterol and long chain alcohols are suggested as potential candidates functioning as scent marking pheromones in A. boskianus.

Recent arguments in the literature prompted us to compare methods for assessing sexual dimorphism in body proportions of lacertid lizards, using Acanthodactylus boskianus. Although expressing body-part measurements as proportional to head length was the most effective method, we recommend using trunk length for the baseline as a general method for lizards. We also argue that, when aiming to assess sexual dimorphism in body proportions of lizards, if the context is ecological, all available adults should be included. However, for morphology and taxonomy, small sub-samples of the largest individuals that maximally express their genetic morphological potential should be used. In A. boskianus, the sexual dimorphism of mensural characters in adults was typical: males were larger, with relatively larger head and appendages. However, the ontogeny of this dimorphism was unusual in that the differences existed already in youth and thereafter persisted isometrically. The sexual dimorphism of meristic characters was male-biased in numbers of femoral pores and of caudal vertebrae, and female-biased in numbers of ventral plates along the trunk and of precaudal vertebrae. Size dimorphism may conceivably play a role in sex recognition because two potential visual cues (i.e. size dimorphism and dichromatism) appear to complement each other. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 2009, 97, 275–288.

Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802) HOLOTYPE. MNHN 2762; Syntypes BMNH 1946.8.4.83–90 (A. b. euphraticus). TYPE LOCALITY. “L’Ile Saint-Dominigue”, in error according to Anderson (1999), who considers Mediterranean Egypt more probable. DISTRIBUTION. An extensive range from Western Sahara and Mauritania through all North African countries to the Levant, S Turkey, Iraq, the whole Arabian Peninsula, and marginally W Iran. DISTRIBUTION IN IRAN. Fig. 71. Kermanshah, Ilam, Lorestan, Khuzestan Prov. HABITAT. The first specimens reported from Iran were collected on sandy hills covered by Astragalus (RastegarPouyani 1999c). Hosseinian Yousefkhani et al. (2012b) reports habitat composed of gypsum and limestone deposits with deep crevices and holes. Associated with annual grasses, Amygdalus and Graminaceae (Nazarov et al 2011). REMARKS. The only available phylogenetic study which compared A. boskianus specimens from a larger part of its immense range suggests that the species is formed by several isolated evolutionary lineages (Harris & Arnold 2000). The subspecies A. b. euphraticus Boulenger (type locality Ramadieh [= Ramadi, Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq]) occurs in Iran. REFERENCES. Salvador (1982); Arnold (1983); Anderson (1999); Rastegar-Pouyani (1999c); Harris & Arnold (2000); Wilms & Hulbert (2003); Nazarov et al. (2011); Gharzi et al. (2012)., Published as part of Šmíd, Jiří, Moravec, Jiří, Kodym, Petr, Kratochvíl, Lukáš, Yousefkhani, Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian, Rastegar-Pouyani, Eskandar & Frynta, Daniel, 2014, Annotated checklist and distribution of the lizards of Iran, pp. 1-97 in Zootaxa 3855 (1) on page 28, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3855.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4929701, {"references":["Daudin, F. M. (1802) Histoire Naturelle, generale et particulieredes reptiles; ouvrage faisant suite, a l'Histoiure Naturelle generale et particuliere, composee par Leclerc De Buffon, et redigee par C. S. Sonnini. Vol. 3. De L'imprimerie de F. Dufart, Paris, 486 pp.","Anderson, S. C. (1999) The lizards of Iran. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio, 442 pp.","Hosseinian Yousefkhani, S. S., Rastegar-Pouyani, N. & Hosseinzadeh, M. S. (2012 b) The conservation status and serious threat to Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802) (Sauria: Lacertidae) in Harsin, Kermanshah, Iran. Available from: http: // www. lacerta. de / AS / Artikel. php? Article = 153 (accessed 8 July 2014)","Nazarov, R., Rajabizadeh, M., Heidari, N. & Faizi, H. (2011) Geographic distribution: Acanthodactylus boskianus (Bosc's Fringe-toed Lizard). Herpetological Review, 42, 567.","Harris, D. J. & Arnold, E. N. (2000) Elucidation of the relationships of spiny-footed lizards, Acanthodactylus spp. (Reptilia: Lacertidae) using mitochondrial DNA sequence, with comments on their biogeography and evolution. Journal of Zoology, 252, 351 - 362. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1469 - 7998.2000. tb 00630. x","Salvador, A. (1982) A revision of the lizards genus Acanthodactylus (Sauria: Lacertidae). Bonner zoologischen Monographien, 16, 1 - 167.","Arnold, E. N. (1983) Osteology, genitalia and the relationships of Acanthodactylus (Reptilia: Lacertidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Zoology), 44, 291 - 339.","Rastegar-Pouyani, N. (1999 c) First record of the lacertid Acanthodactylus boskianus (Sauria: Lacertidae) for Iran. Asiatic Herpetological Research, 8, 85 - 89.","Wilms, T. & Hulbert, F. (2003) Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802). Sauria, 25, 597 - 602.","Gharzi, A., Yari, A. & Rastegar-Pouyani, N. (2012) Morphology and Histology of Ovary's Genninal Beds in the Lacertid Lizard, Acantodactylus boskianus (Sauria; Lacertidae). Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 6, 8 - 11. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.3923 / rjnasci. 2012.8.11"]}

Environmental demands that require intensive search for mates, food and nest sites are correlated with efficient spatial memory in many mammalian and avian species. This convergence of evidence has led to the view that spatial memory, and the neurological structures associated with it, have been selected in niches that require memory for the location of goal objects. Whether such evolutionary demands are also correlated with nonspatial abilities that require flexible use of associations similar to those required for spatial memory has not been well studied. In addition, correlations between niche types and the use of spatial or nonspatial memory have not been investigated in nonmammalian, nonavian taxa. In this study, we investigated the relationship between foraging strategies and performance on two tasks, one spatial and the other nonspatial, in congeneric lizard species: Acanthodactylus boskianus, an active forager that collects clumped sedentary prey, Acanthodactylus scutellatus, a sit-and-wait predator that collects distributed mobile prey. The two species did not differ in their performance of a spatial memory task, but A. boskianus, the active forager, performed better on the reversal of a visual discrimination, a nonspatial task. These findings question the generality of the spatial adaptation model for vertebrates. We present the pliancy hypothesis, which we developed to account for these results. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Using skeletochronology, the age structure of a breeding population portion of Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802) from the southeast of Turkey was studied for the first time. A total of 21 preserved (9 male male, 8 female female, and 4 juveniles) specimens were used in this study. According to the analysis of the age structure based on counting lines of arrested growth, ages ranged from 6 to 9 years (mean: 7.44 +/- 0.34 years) in males and from 5 to 7 years (mean: 6.13 +/- 0.30 years) in females. Juveniles were from 3 to 4 years old. Age at maturity was estimated to be 4-5 years and the adult survival rates were estimated to be 0.62 for males and 0.56 for females. The mean snout-vent length was calculated as 79.09 +/- 1.16 mm in males, 65.90 +/- 2.02 in females, and 43.55 +/- 2.02 mm in juveniles. The sexual dimorphism index was calculated as -0.20. The difference between the sexes in age and size was statistically significant.

A close relationship between habitat and external morphology is widespread among many animals, including reptiles. Here, I studied the relationship between abiotic environmental conditions and body size of four lacertid species (Phoenicolacerta laevis, Ophisops elegans, Acanthodactylus boskianus,andMesalina guttulata) occurring in Israel. I examined the effect of average annual temperature and average annual precipitation on body and limb dimensions, using linear statistical models. Temperature- and precipitation-related geographic clines in body size showed the same trend among all species. Females displayed stronger phenotypic response to temperature gradient than conspecific males, suggesting a sex-specific effect of natural selection. Snout-vent length (SVL) was negatively correlated with temperature, supporting Bergmann’s rule inO. elegansand in femaleP. laevisandA. boskianus, but not inM. guttulata.Precipitation was positively related to SVL inO. elegansandM. guttulata, and in femaleP. laevisandA. boskianus.The relative extremity lengths, especially hind limb segments, generally increase towards hot and dry locations, following Allen’s rule. Among the Mediterranean region species (P. laevis, O. elegans) the morphological-environmental link with temperature was stronger than in desert dwellers (A. boskianus, M. guttulata), for which precipitation was the major determinant of spatial variation.

Lizards were censused in the Ramon erosion cirque (Central Negev, Israel) in 1994 on 24 one-ha plots. Fifteen quantitative habitat variables, describing soil and vegetation structure, were measured at 25 points of each plot. Data were analysed to examine a classification of habitat types based on lizard species composition and the sets of environment variables influencing density of each lizard species. Three hundred and fifty three individuals of 14 lizard species were recorded on the sampling plots. Of these species, only one (Acanthodactylus boskianus) was abundant, eight (Ptyodactylus guttatus, Stenodactylus sthenodactylus, Mesalina guttulata, M. olivieri, Ophisops elegans, Ablepharus kitaibellii, Chalcides ocellatus, Eumesces schneiderii) were common, and five (Laudakia stellio, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus, Trapelus pallidus, Hemidactylus turcicus, Tropiocolotes steudneri) were rare. Four main habitat types and two sub-types were distinguished: wadis among loess hills (I); rock outcrops among loess hills (II); rock outcrops among gravel plains (III); wadis among gravel plains (IVa); open gravel plains (IVb), and sand dunes (IVc). Lizard density and biomass were greatest (15-19 ind. /ha; about 200 g/ha) in IVb, and IVc, and least (3. 7 ind. /ha; 38 g/ha) in III. Lizard species richness and diversity were low (three species) in IVc and higher and similar (6-10 species) in all other habitat types. Among common and abundant species, densities of three (A. boskianus, O. elegans, A. kitaibellii) were highly (30-60% of density dispersion) affected by habitat variables and densities of six (P. guttatus, S. sthenodactylus, M. guttulata, M. olivieri, C. ocellatus, E. schneiderii) were weakly (13-30% of dispersion) affected. Densities of S. sthenodactylus, A. boskianus, and M. guttulata were determined mainly by soil structure, of M. olivieri and O. elegans mainly by structure of annual vegetation, and of C. ocellatus, A. kitaibellii, and E. schneiderii mainly by the structure of shrub vegetation. Density of P. guttatus was determined by both soil and annual vegetation structure.

Sperm head differentiation in Mabuya quinquetaeniata agrees in the main features with that of Agama adramitana, Agama blandfordi, and Acanthodactylus boskianus. The development of subacrosomal lateral canals, the disappearance of translucent medulla, and the existence of unilateral dense acrosome are new findings of the present investigation.

1. 1. The standard metabolic rate (SMR) of Acanthodactylus boskianus was determined at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C during winter and summer acclimatization, using constant pressure manometric respirometers. 2. 2. Values for the exponent b of body mass in relation to metabolic rate ranged from 0.50 to 0.63. 3. 3. Winter-acclimatized lizards of various body sizes had significantly higher SMRs than summer-acclimatized lizards at tested temperatures. 4. 4. The seasonal differences in metabolic rate may represent a useful adaptation, enabling A. boskianus to maintain activity during the moderate winter, and to conserve energy and possibly also water during the hot summer.