Verification of the Minor Snake-eyed Skink, Ablepharus grayanus (Stoliczka, 1872) (Sauria: Scincidae), from Iran

The rediscovery of the Minor Snake-eyed Skink, Ablepharus grayanus, from two different localities in Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman Provinces, southeastern Iran is reported. A total of 24 specimens was examined based on morphometrics, colour pattern and pholidotic characters. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) based on morphometric measurements revealed significant differences in terms of the snoutvent length (SVL) and fore- and hind limb distances (GA) between eastern and western populations of Ablepharus pannonicus. The most distinguishing characters of Ablepharus grayanus are morphological features, especially ear opening status and scales around the midbody (18-20 versus 20-22). Based on morphological grounds, Ablepharus grayanus is clearly distinguished from A. pannonicus occurring in the eastern and western regions of the Iranian Plateau.