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

The Kokshaal racerunner, Eremchenko et Panfilov, 1999, together with other central Asian racerunner species, is included in the 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 from Kashgaria) using DNA barcoding.

Phylogenetic relations and range history of jerboas of the Allactaginae subfamily (Dipodidae, Rodentia).

Five-toed jerboas of the subfamily Allactaginae comprise several complex taxa occurring over a wide distribution range covering a large part of the Eurasian arid belt. In this study, we employed current methods of molecular phylogenetics based on 15 nuclear genes and the mitochondrial gene cytb to revise relations and systematics within Allactaginae. We also applied species distribution modelling projected on paleo-environmental data to reconstruct the geographic patterns of speciation in Allactaginae.

Molecular systematics of the species complex: a contribution from historical DNA analysis.

The Tianshan birch mouse is an endemic of the Central Asian mountains and has previously been shown to include several karyomorphs ("Terskey", "Talgar", "Dzungar"); however, the taxonomic status of these forms has remained uncertain. We examined the genetic variation in based on historical DNA samples from museum collections, including the type series. Mitochondrial and nuclear data indicated that the species complex includes two major clades: Northern (N) and Southern (S) ( distance 13%).

On the taxonomic status of three enigmatic Indochinese frog species (Amphibia: Anura) described by L. G. Andersson.

In the first half of the 20th century, four Swedish expeditions to Indochina contributed significantly to the knowledge on the herpetofauna of mainland Southeast Asia. The collected material was examined by L. G.

A little frog leaps a long way: compounded colonizations of the Indian Subcontinent discovered in the tiny Oriental frog genus (Amphibia: Microhylidae).

Frogs of the genus include some of the world's smallest amphibians and represent the largest radiation of Asian microhylids, currently encompassing 50 species, distributed across the Oriental biogeographic region. The genus remains one of the taxonomically most challenging groups of Asian frogs and was found to be paraphyletic with respect to large-sized fossorial . In this study we present a time-calibrated phylogeny for frogs in the genus , and discuss taxonomy, historical biogeography, and morphological evolution of these frogs.

Unusual Pipistrelle: Taxonomic Position of the Malayan Noctule (; Vespertilionidae; Chiroptera).

Despite huge progress in the systematics of bats and, in particular, of the Vespertilionidae family in latest years, the taxonomic position of a number of remarkable bat species has been uncertain until now, partly because of limits in acceptable comparative material. Researchers have previously placed the Malayan noctule, , into , because of similar body shape and proportions, or into , based on karyological analysis. This study reassesses using available collection material and compares it to various members of and , as well as with some other related and similar genera, based on respective morphological and molecular genetic features.

Who are you, Griselda? A replacement name for a new genus of the Asiatic short-tailed shrews (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Soricidae): molecular and morphological analyses with the discussion of tribal affinities.

The first genetic study of the holotype of the Gansu short-tailed shrew, Thomas, 1912, is presented. The mitochondrial analysis demonstrated that the type specimen of is close to several recently collected specimens from southern Gansu, northern Sichuan and Shaanxi, which are highly distinct from the two species of Asiatic short-tailed shrews of southern Sichuan, Yunnan, and Vietnam, and . Our analysis of four nuclear genes supported the placement of as sister to / , with the level of divergence between these two clades corresponding to that among genera of Soricinae.

On the taxonomic position of the enigmatic genus Schileyko, 1992 (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha): the first molecular data.

The taxonomic position of the monotypic Vietnamese genus Schileyko, 1992 (for Schileyko, 1992) has been considered in the light of the first obtained molecular data. Both molecular (28S rRNA) and morphological data support the position of this extraordinary eye-less genus within the family Scolopendridae Leach, 1814, a sighted clade, and thus suggests the polyphyly of blind scolopendromorphs. The species diagnosis has been amended and color images of provided for the first time.

Molecular and morphological differentiation of Secret Toad-headed agama, , with the description of a new subspecies from Iran (Reptilia, Agamidae).

The morphological and genetic variation of a wide-ranging Secret Toad-headed agama, that inhabits sand deserts of south-eastern Europe, Middle East, Middle Asia, and western China is reviewed. Based on the morphological differences and high divergence in COI (mtDNA) gene sequences a new subspecies of is described from Khorasan Razavi Province in Iran. Partial sequences of COI mtDNA gene of 31 specimens of from 17 localities from all major parts of species range were analyzed.

Cenozoic aridization in Central Eurasia shaped diversification of toad-headed agamas (; Agamidae, Reptilia).

We hypothesize the phylogenetic relationships of the agamid genus to assess how past environmental changes shaped the evolutionary and biogeographic history of these lizards and especially the impact of paleogeography and climatic factors. is one of the most diverse and taxonomically confusing lizard genera. As a key element of Palearctic deserts, it serves as a promising model for studies of historical biogeography and formation of arid habitats in Eurasia.