Investigating the morphological changes of Hemorrhois ravergieri (Reptilia: Ophidia: Colubridae) in Iran

Hemorrhois ravergieri is one of the nonpoisonous snakes, widely distributed in Iran. Recent studies revealed considerable morphological differences among H. ravergieri in different habitats. In this study, morphological characteristics of H. ravergieri were investigated in different sampling area. To address that, 52 specimens, including 30 male, 16 female and 6 immature were collected from different provinces of Iran. The result of principle component analysis showed 5 separate categories, including (1) Khorasan and Golestan (north and north-east of Alborz), (2) Azarbayjan gharbi, Azarbayjan sharghi and Zanjan (northern Zagros), (3) Alborz, Lorestan, Esfahan and Khuzestan (northern-central Zagros), (4) Chaharmahal and bakhtiari province (central Zagros), (5) Kerman and Fars (Southern Zagros). 7 Metric and 5 meristic characteristics, were analyzed in either gender at different categories. The number of ventral and subcaudal scales was significantly (P=0.026 and P=0.041, respectively) different between mature and immature specimens. There were significant differences in total length as well as snout-vent length among male and female specimens, P=0.034 and P=0.012 respectively. Other statistical analyses were performed for comparison of our data in five different categories to identify the discriminant variable. According to results, the variability of meristic characteristics such as the number of ventral and subcaudal scales can be perceived in different categories