Comparative Morphology on Populations of Werner Leaf-toed Gecko, Asaccus elisae (Werner, 1895) in Iran

The genus Asaccus is one of the most unknown members of the Phyllodactylidae family. The earliest described species within the genus is Werner’s Leaf-toed gecko, Asaccus elisae. However, little information is still available on the distribution, phylogeny, speciation processes, gene flow, ecological relationships, and potential and actual threats to its populations in Iran. This study was conducted to investigate the morphological diversity of different populations of this species in Iran. To do so, traditional morphological studies with the use of 15 morphometric and 10 meristic characters and geometrics morphometric studies have been used. A total of 60 specimens were caught with the permission of the Environmental Protection Organization from April to September 2018 in 9 stations in the western to southern regions of Iran. The morphometric and meristic characters of the samples have been measured using a Vernier caliper. All samples, after sex determination and photography in the sampling area, were released in their habitat immediately. The results showed that males and females had significant differences in morphological variables, so morphological analyses were performed separately for males and females. Also, the results showed that there is a significant difference between different populations based on morphometric and meristic variables.