Paralaudakia sp.

Jablonski, Daniel, Khalili, Faizurrahman & Masroor, Rafaqat, 2023, The herpetofaunal diversity of Takhar Province, Afghanistan, Herpetozoa 36, pp. 73-90 : 73

Paralaudakia sp.

Fig. 5F

Takhar records.

Khilyazi bala Village, 37.4687°N, 69.7584°E, 912 m a.s.l., 13 September 2021, rocky habitat, one adult male (CUHC-PA 214).

Remarks.

The observation of this individual is from the area where we observed P. badakhshana and P. lehmanni . However, the morphology of the specimen does not correspond to that of any of the two mentioned species. Until the species status is confirmed, we keep this record as Paralaudakia sp. It is a speculative explanation now, but this specimen may represent a hybrid between the two species of Paralaudakia distributed in the area. This needs further field investigations and subsequent genetic research.

Figures

Figure 5. A, B. Individuals of Testudo horsfieldii from Bay Yawa (Khagebilendi) of different sex and ages (CUHC-PA 179); C. Adult male of Paralaudakia badakhshana from Khilyazi bala (CUHC-PA 212); D, E. Ventral and dorsal view on the individual of P. badakhshana from Khilyazi bala (CUHC-PA 213); F. Individual of Paralaudakia sp. from Khilyazi bala (CUHC-PA 214); G, H. Adult males (CUHC-PA 216 and 217) of Paralaudakia lehmanni from Khilyazi bala; I. Subadult individual of P. lehmanni from Bay Yawa (CUHC-PA 222).