The assessment of Podarcis muralis based on morphology and molecular features

In this study, Podarcis muralis specimens obtained from different location of Turkey were compared based on morphology and mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytB gene sequences. Podarcis muralis kefkenensis are different from nominate subspecies based on two characters. These are preoccipital scale and two pieces of preocular scale. Although some morphologic differences were observed in P. m. kefkenensis, there was no precise distinction based on results of molecular analysis. Conversely, Zonguldak and Sinop specimens were separated as a different monophyletic group. In addition, Zonguldak and Sinop specimens were separated other populations in their morphology. These characters are central preanal scale and scales located between masseteric and tympanic scale. It was found that genetic distances between Sinop-Zonguldak and the other populations were less than % 3. Consequently, genetic distances between these population (Sinop-Zonguldak and the others) is not enough to evaluate as a new species but it is enough to consider these populations as the representatives of a new subspecies. It was seen that P. m. kefkenensis has not definite differences from nominate subspecies based on the molecular analysis and it is suggested that Podarcis muralis in Turkey separated two lineage as Zonguldak-Sinop and the others. Zonguldak-Sinop lineages were suggested to be a new subspecies.