Taxonomic Diversity of Agamid Lizards(Reptilia, Sauria, Acrodonta, Agamidae) from China: A Comparative Analysis

Results of the analysis of taxonomic diversity and representation of different evolutionary lineages of agamid lizards(Reptilia, Sauria, Agamidae) are provided in this article. For comparison with the fauna of China, the following territories were selected: North Eurasia, Iran and different countries of South and Southeast Asia. There are 49 agamid species in China, comprising 12 genera and 4 subfamilies. Annotated check-list and identification keys to genera are provided. Among the 49 species of agamids present in China, the percent of endemic species is relatively high(22 species; 45%). Endemic species refer to 4 genera with the genus Japalura having the most, 10 of 14 species, proceeded by members of Tibetan Plateau lineage of Phrynocephalus, 8 of 12 species, and Calotes with 1 species and Laudakia with 3.

Differences in Thermal Preference and Tolerance among Three Phrynocephalus Lizards (Agamidae) with Different Body Sizes and Habitat Use

We acclimated adults of two viviparous （Phrynocephalus guinanens＆ and P. vlangalii） and one oviparous （P. versicolor） species of toad-headed lizards （Agamidae） to 28 ℃, 33 ℃ and 38 ℃ to examine whether thermal preference （preferred body temperature, Tp） and thermal tolerance （critical thermal minimum, CTMin; critical thermal maximum, CTMax） were affected by acclimation temperature, and correlate with body size and habitat use. Both Tp and CTMax were highest in P. versicolor and lowest in P. vlangalii, with P. guinanensis in between. The two viviparous species did not differ in CTMin and thermal tolerance range, and they both were more resistant to low temperatures and had a wider range of thermal tolerance than the oviparous species. Both CTMin and CTMax shifted upward as acclimation temperature increased in all the three species. Tp was higher in the lizards acclimated to 33 ℃ than in those to 28 ℃ or 38 ℃. The range of thermal tolerance was wider in the lizards acclimated to 28 ℃ than in those to 33 ℃ or 38 ℃. The data showed that： 1） thermal preference and tolerance were affected by acclimation temperature, and differed among the three species of Phrynocephalus lizards with different body sizes and habitat uses; 2） both Tp and CTMax were higher in the species exchanging heat more rapidly with the environment, and CTMin was higher in the species using warmer habitats during the active season; and 3） thermal preference and tolerance might correlat with body size and habitat use in Phrynocephalus lizards.

Differences in Incubation Length and Hatchling Morphology among Five Species of Oviparous Phrynocephalus Lizards (Agamidae) from China

We incubated eggs of five Phrynocephalus species （P. albolineatus, P. axillaries, P. grumgrzimailoi, P. helioscopus and P. przewalskii） at three constant temperatures （24℃, 28℃ and 32℃） to examine differences in incubation length and hatchling morphology among species and among temperature treatments. We combined data from this study with those reported previously for P. frontalis and P. versicolor to examine whether embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor for interspecific variation in incubation length, and whether the phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is consistent with the relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Mean values for incubation length differed among the five species studied herein and, in all these five species, incubation length decreased at a decreasing rate as temperature increased. In none of the five species did hatchling size （snout-vent length and body mass） and other morphological variables differ among the three temperature treatments. The seven oviparous Phrynocephalus lizards found in China differ from each other in hatchling morphology, and embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor of inter- and intra-specific variation in incubation length. The phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is not always consistent with the currently known relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Data from this study and those reported previously allow the conclusion that any Phrynocephalus species may have its unique position along the axis defined by hatchling morphology.

Environmental Suitability and Distribution of the Caucasian Rock Agama,Paralaudakia caucasia (Sauria:Agamidae) in Western and Central Asia

Predictive potential distribution modeling is crucial in outlining habitat usage and establishing conservation management priorities. In this paper we provide detailed data on the distribution of the Caucasian rock agama Para- laudakia caucasia, and use species distribution models （MAXENT） to evaluate environmental suitability and potential distribution at a broad spatial scale. Locality data on the distribution of P. caucasia have been gathered over nearly its entire range by various authors from field surveys. The distribution model ofP caucasia showed good performance （AUC = 0.887）, and predicted high suitability in regions mainly located in Tajikistan, north Pakistan, Afghanistan, southeast Turkmenistan, northeast Iran along the Elburz mountains, Transcaueasus （Azerbajan, Armenia, Georgia）, northeastern Turkey and northward along the Caspian Sea coast in Daghestan, Russia. The identification of suitable areas for this species will help to assess conservation status of the species, and to set up management programs.

Distribution and Environmental Suitability of the Smallscaled Rock Agama, Paralaudakia microlepis(Sauria: Agamidae) in the Iranian Plateau

Predictive potential distribution modeling is of increasing importance in modern herpetological studies and determination of environmental and conservation priorities. In this article we provided results of analysis and forecasts of the potential distribution of smallscaled rock agama Paralaudakia microlepis （Blanford, 1874） using the distribution models through Maxent （www.cs.princeton.edu/- schapire / maxent）. We made an attempt for comparison of input of bioclimatic factors and characteristics of biotope distribution for three species of genus Paralaudalda. Constructed model identified dissemination of Paralaudakia microlepis enough performance （AUC = 0.972 with dispersion 0.003）. According to the map constructed, the most suitable habitats of smallscaled rock agama Paralaudakia microlepis are located in southern and eastern Iran, the west of central Pakistan and southeastern Afghanistan.

A New Species of Japalura(Squamata, Agamidae) from the Nu River Valley in Southern Hengduan Mountains, Yunnan, China

A population of Japalura from Yunnan Province, China, previously assigned to Japalura splendida, is described as a new species. The new species has been recorded between 1 138–2 500 m in the Nu River drainage between the towns of Liuku and Binzhongluo, and on the lower western slopes of the Nushan and eastern slopes of the Goaligongshan. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Japalura, except J. dymondi, by the following combination of characters： exposed tympani, prominent dorso-lateral stripes, and small gular scales. It is very similar with but differs from J. dymondi by having smooth or feebly keeled dorsal head scales, three relatively enlarged spines on either side of the post-occiput area, strongly keeled and mucronate scales on occiput area and within the lateral stripes, back of arm and leg green, higher number of dorsal-ridge scales（DS） and fourth toe subdigital scales（T4S）. A principal component analysis of body measurements of adult male specimens of the new species and J. dymondi showed principal component 1 loading highest for upper arm length, fourth toe length and snout to eye length and principal component 2 loading highest for head width, head length and fourth toe length.

A New Species of Japalura(Agamidae: Lacertilia: Reptilia) from Central Highland,Vietnam

A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described based on three specimens from southern part of Central Vietnam. It is distinguished from remaining congeners by the following combination of characters： adult size （SVL females 68-69 mm）, tail length/SVL ratio 226%-239%, HW/SVL ratio 17%-18%; FLL/SVL ratio 41%43%; HLL/SVL ratio 72%-73%; 7-9 supralabials, 7-9 infralabials, 54-56 middorsal scales, 20-22 lamellae under finger IV, 24-26 lamellae under toe IV, 1 scale between nasal and supralabials; tympanum concealed; absence of transverse gular fold. The geographical distribution of Japalura genus in general and of a new species in particular is discussed.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Laudakia FROM XIZANG (TIBET)

This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril is situated in center of elliptic nasal,directing outwards and rearwards;②one supranasal;③superciliary ridge poorly developed,blunt and not everting upwards;④dorsum and flanks with many small,light colored spots,the large,conic scales scattered on flanks are not situated in those spots.