Distribution and morphology of lacertilia subordo (reptilia: sauria) in Southeastern Anatolia Region

In this study, the distribution and morphological status of the Lacertilia (Lizards) group from the Squamata (Reptiles) subordos in the Southeastern Anatolia Region were investigated. Although studies in the west of the region have increased recently, studies dealing with the eastern part and the whole of the region are limited. In this study, the distribution deficiencies in the region were tried to be eliminated by focusing on the areas with limited studies. Field studies were carried out in 528 localities between 2015-2021 and a total of 1205 samples were directly observed. Localities observed as examples in field studies were evaluated separately for each species and observation information was given. A minimum number of specimens were taken from the observed specimens for examination, while the others were returned to their habitats after photographing. The samples, which are stated to be distributed in the region in the literature but cannot be observed in the field, were examined in ZMADYU (Adıyaman University Zoology Laboratory). 176 samples, consisting of samples obtained from field studies and museum samples, were examined as morphometric and meristic. 24 of 25 species distributed in the region have been reached. These are Mediodactylus heterocercus, Mediodactylus orientalis, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Stenodactylus grandiceps, Asaccus barani Hemidactylus tursicus, Eublepharis angramainyu, Heremites auratus, Heremites vittatus, Chalcides ocellatus, Eumeces schneiderii, Ablepharus budaki, Ablepharus chernovi, Ophisops elegans, Apathya cappadocica, Timon kurdistanicus, Acanthodactylus harranensis, Acanthodactylus boscianus, Phoenicolacerta ciyanisparsa, Lacerta media, Laudakia stellio, Trapelus ruderatus, Chamaeleo chamaeleon and Varanus griseus. Mesalina microlepis specimen, which is stated to be found in the region in the sources, could not be reached. The danger and protection status of all species distributed in the region according to the criteria of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), BERN (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats) and CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) are evaluated. At the end of the study, many new localities were added to the species distributed in the region and the gaps were tried to be filled and the distribution area of the group in the region was expanded and updated. Keywords: Lacertilia, Distribution, Morphology, Southeastern Anatolia Region