Sexual dimorphism in Trachylepis aurata transcaucasica Chernov, 1926 (Reptilia: Scincidae) in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran

Forty-nine preserved specimens (31 male and 18 female) of Trachylepis aurata transcaucsasica were examined with respect to metric and meristic features and dry skull anatomy to assess sexual dimorphism. Thirty-one morphological characters and 36 anatomical characters in dry skulls were examined. Subdigital lamellae under the forth toe, neck length, neck length/snout vent length, and six skull characters (skull length, condylobasal length, anterior rostrum width, eye width, and ratios of maxilla length to skull length and pterygoid length to skull length) were significantly different in males and females (P < 0.05). Other observed differences were in the base of the tail, which was thicker in males than in females, and in the structure of the anus. The sexes did not show dimorphism in color or pattern.

Keywords:

Skull , Morphology , Characters , Principal Component Analysis , Geographic variation