A Comparative Study of Intra- and Inter-Population Variation in Two Sympatric Lizards, Lacerta agilis boemica and L. strigata in Daghestan

Evgeny S. Roytberg

Abstract


Using methods of statistical analysis, the extent of morphological inter- and intra-population variation in two sympatric lizard species (Lacerta agilis boemica and L. strigata) from the North Caucasus (Daghestan) was compared. 1042 specimens from 7 localities of lowland and foothill Daghestan were scored for 8 pholidotic features and 22 characters of head scutellation. The occurrence of evident differences in the extent of the interpopulation variation was revealed: the latter is higher in L. agilis as compared with L. strigata from the same localities. Two factors are proposed to be responsible for this difference: a) gene flow among populations which seems to be more intense in L. strigata and b) developmental homeostasis which seems to be higher in L. strigata if compared with L. agilis.

Keywords


lacertids, pholidosis, head scutellation, variability

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-1994-1-1-77-85

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