Molecular phylogeny of the genus Eumeces Wiegmann, 1834 (Reptilia: Scincidae) in Iran, inferred from 16s mitochondrial DNA

Phylogenetic relationships among the Eumeces schneiderii princeps and Eumeces schneiderii pavimentatus investigated using 509 bp partial sequences of 16S mitochondrial gene. Analyses were done by maximum-likelihood (RAxML) criteria on 52 specimens from over 20 geographically distinct localities. Our molecular results proposed two well-supported major clades by their phylogenetic positions, genetic differences and unique characterizations in their morphology and habitats including: (1) Eumeces schneiderii princeps Eumeces schneiderii pavimentatus (2) Eurylepis (3) Scincus and (4) Scincopus. However, the phylogenetic affinities of Eumeces sp. in the Scincus clade were not resolved. Phylogenetic analyses of the genus did not grouped Eurylepis with Eumeces and clustered it in a completely separate group . In addition, phylogenetic resultsrevealed a monophyletic status for Eumeces schneider.