A New Distribution Record of Eirenis walteri (Boettger, 1888) (Ophidia: Colubridae), in Yazd province, Central Iran.

Abstract

Eirenis is a species of snake belonging to the Colubridae family native to Iran. The species is characterised by a small size, with a maximum recorded body length of 90 cm. The snakes of this family are closely related to those of the genera Dolicophis and Hierophis. This is due to the fact that the snakes of these two species are of a considerable size. It can therefore be surmised that these genera share a common ancestor, and thus that pygmy snakes evolved from larger snakes. One of the species belonging to this family is Eirenis walteri (Boettger, 1888). The specimen was collected through field investigation and, following identification, was included in the list of snakes native to the Yazd province for the first time. In accordance with the findings of this study, the specimen in question has been included in the checklist of snakes in Yazd province. In light of the difficulties associated with mapping the distribution of the genus Eirenis in Iran, the inclusion of new reports of its species distribution can facilitate the creation of an accurate map of the genus's distribution. The distribution of Eirenis walteri encompasses eastern Iran. This study presents the first record of Eirenis walteri in the Bafaq Mountain Protected Area, Qatrum village (Bafaq city), Yazd province, Iran. Consequently, a distribution map of Eirenis walteri can be prepared using data collected through direct observation. An examination of the distribution and population of Eirenis walteri enables a distinction to be made between them. It is now evident that this taxon has a vast distribution in the central and eastern regions of Iran.