Key to the species of Eirenis in Iran
An updated key to the one proposed by Fathinia et al. (2019).
1 15 scales at mid-body (Subgenus Eirenis (Collaria))......................................................... 2
- 17 scales at mid-body (Subgenus Eirenis ( Eirenis))......................................................... 11
2 More than 186 ventral scales, loreal scale mostly absent...................................................... 3
- Less than 186 ventral scales, loreal scale present............................................................ 6
3 Dorsal body pattern consists of distinct dark and light bars across body and tail........................ E. nigrofasciatus
- Dorsal body unicolor, without dark spots on the bases of anterior dorsal scales..................................... 4
4 Fewer than 60 subcaudal scales............................................................... E. occidentalis
- Mostly more than 60 subcaudal scales.................................................................... 5
5 Up to 214 ventrals, 54–83 subcaudals............................................................. E. persicus
- More than 214 ventrals, 80–104 subcaudals......................................................... E. walteri
6 6 upper-labial scales...................................................................... E. kermanensis
- 7 upper-labial scales.................................................................................. 7
7 A black crown on head.................................................................... E. coronelloides
- Head without black crown.............................................................................. 8
8 Ventrals 152–177, subcaudals 50–63, dorsum unicolor............................................... E. collaris
- Ventrals 129–167, subcaudals 37–59, dorsum not unicolor with transverse or longitudinal bars....................... 9
9 Subcaudals 51–59, loreal in contact with first upper labial........................................... E. rechingeri
- Subcaudals 37–58, loreal not in contact with first upper labial................................................ 10
10 Subcaudals 37–45, ventral surface whitish-yellow with brown dots.................................... E. coronella
- Subcaudals 42–58, ventral surface white without dots................................................. E. medus
11 Posterior chin shields in contact........................................................................ 12
- Posterior chin shields not in contact..................................................................... 14
12 Dorsal of body and head unicolor, without dots, blotches, transverse bars or stripes....................... E. yassujicus
- Dorsal of body and head not unicolor.................................................................... 13
13 Longitudinal stripes on dorsal body and neck, subcaudals 64–85, ventrals 159–180, ventral of body uniformly creamy............................................................................................ E. decemlineata
- Dorsal body with dots or blotches, subcaudals 62–86, ventrals 150–181, ventral surface yellowish creamy................................................................................................... E. punctatolineatus
14 Both transverse band and longitudinal stripes on the dorsal body, neck with transverse bands, posterior chin shields triangular in shape............................................................................ E. rafsanjanicus sp. n.
- Dorsal patterns are only present on the head and neck, dorsal body without transverse or longitudinal stripes or bands................................................................................................ E. modestus