Shape variation in head scales of species of the genus Ophiomorus DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1839 in Iran, a geometric morphometrics approach

Twelve species of the genus Ophiomorus DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1839 have been identified and introduced so far seven this found in Iran which include four endemic three nonendemic species. Although geometric morphometry is a powerful tool to analyze morphological changes, discovery identification these long relied on traditional morphometric analysis. In study, analyses were used determine morphometrics different Iran. The Multi Focus technique was obtain best image dorsal surface head. Two types Landmarks 1 3 information from scales To two-dimensional coordinates, landmarks digitized using tpsDig. For all landmarks, Procrustes Landmark or GPA analysis performed PAST software. Also, analyzed by PCA Principal Components software based variance-covariance matrix between groups OTUs. results showed that most changes occurred head O. persicus maranjabensis. nuchalis populations, an OTU1 scales, being no overlap wireframe graph. This population (OTU 1) distributed central regions Iranian plateau phylogenetic studies are needed confirm it as new