Laudakia stellio

Lachman, Esther, Carmely, Hilla & Werner, Yehudah L., 2006, Subspeciation befogged by the ‘‘ Seligmann effect’ ’: the case of Laudakia stellio (Reptilia: Sauria: Agamidae) in southern Sinai, Egypt, Journal of Natural History 40 (19 - 20), pp. 1259-1284 : 1278-1279

Key to Laudakia stellio from Egypt and Israel’s Negev, and its application

1. Dorsal tubercular scales over the pelvis largely isolated, each surrounded by granules; gular area usually black (or grey) with whitish flecks, at least anteriorly.............. Laudakia stellio vulgaris

– Dorsal enlarged scales over the pelvis juxtaposed in transverse rows, at least middorsally; gular area variously coloured............. 2

2. A mid-ventral longitudinal crest or band of callous or glandular scales (males) 3

– No mid-ventral longitudinal crest or band of callous or glandular scales (females) 4

3. Dorsally, left and right transverse rows of enlarged scales merge medially with a broad continuous vertebral band of fairly similar enlarged scales; subdigitalia usually,8.5 (mean of L and R). Gular coloration usually with light markings. Head width usually.26 PERCRA, head index usually,101, head depth usually.16 PERCRA, complete original tail,144 PERCRA Laudakia stellio brachydactyla

– Dorsally, left and right transverse rows of enlarged scales almost always separated by a narrow continuous vertebral band of small scales; subdigitalia usually.18.5 (mean of L and R). Gular coloration usually uniform or with dark markings. Head width usually,26 PERCRA, head index usually.101, head depth usually,16 PERCRA, complete original tail.144 PERCRA.. Laudakia stellio salehi n. ssp.

4. Dorsally, left and right transverse rows of enlarged scales merge medially with a broad continuous vertebral band of fairly similar enlarged scales; subdigitalia usually,18.5 (mean of L and R). Gular coloration usually with light markings. Forelimb length usually,49 PERCRA, interlimb ratio usually.145, tail length almost always,124 PERCRA....... Laudakia stellio brachydactyla

– Dorsally, left and right transverse rows of enlarged scales may meet, or may be separated by a narrow continuous vertebral band of small scales, along at least part of the back; subdigitalia usually.18.5 (mean of L and R). Gular coloration usually uniform or with dark markings. Forelimb length usually.49 PERCRA, interlimb ratio usually,145, tail length almost always.124 PERCRA.................. Laudakia stellio salehi n. ssp.