Taxonomic status of sand boas of the genus Eryx (Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes: Boidae) in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Al-Najaf Province, Iraq

Abstract

Five metric and 10 meristic characters were studied in 30 specimens of Eryx (Daudin, 1803) in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Al-Najaf Province – Iraq. According to the results, and considering the principle of priority, we concluded that the populations of E. jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the study area should be classified into E. jaculus jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758) and E. jaculus familiaris Echwald, 1831. In addition, ten specimens belonging to a population of Eryx in the area were found to differ from all other E. jaculus in that their second upper labial being lower than the third one. These specimens, which are tentatively regarded as Eryx cf.miliaris (Pallas, 1773), need more comprehensive study to clarify their taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationship using more morphological traits, ecology, and molecular studies.