Biochemical and Morphological Differentiation in Spanish and Moroccan Populations of Blanus and the Description of a New Species from Northern Morocco (Reptilia, Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae)

Abstract

Biochemical and morphological divergence between Spanish populations of Blanus from the province of Cadiz and Moroccan populations from north of Rabat demonstrates that these populations are not conspecific. Morphological differences between Moroccan populations inhabiting areas to the north and to the south of Rabat indicate species-level differentiation between these populations as well. Iberian populations are referred to Blanus cinereus, Moroccan populations to the south of Rabat are referred to B. mettetali, and the Moroccan population residing between the Strait of Gibraltar and Rabat is described as new. An evolutionary scenario for Iberian and Moroccan populations, consistent with biochemical and morphological data, is inferred from the physiogeographic history of the region. eia, 19 8(1), p. 10 -109