Summary Conservation Action Plans for Mongolian Reptiles and ...

DATA DEFICIENT
Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773)
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Common names: Stepperunner, racerunner
or arguta (English); tolbot gurvel
(Mongolian)
Subspecies in Mongolia: E. a. potanini
Bedriaga 1912
Synonyms: Lacerta arguta Pallas, 1773;
Podarcis variabilis Wagler, 1830
Description
A study measuring this species took place in the western Govi of Mongolia. Body length
was found to be 35-37mm (36.04±1.17)(n=49) and tail length 40-78mm (59.95±1.64). The
ratio of body length to tail length is 0.8-1.32 (0.98±0.01). There are 47-58 underside scales
(53.04±0.36). On one side of the hind legs are 6-14 femoral pores (8.68±0.14). This is a wide
lizard, with a short thick tail which narrows at the very tip (Terbish, 1989; Terbish et al.,
2006). The body is light or dark brown with large dark brown spots running along both dorsal
sides in two rows; the ventral side is white (Terbish et al., 2006).
Conservation overview
Global status: Not Evaluated
Regional status: Data Defi cient
Legal status: Included as Rare in the ‘Mongolian Red Books’ of 1987 and 1997 (Munkhbayar,
1987; Munkhbayar and Terbish, 1997). Approximately 18% of the species’ range in Mongolia
occurs within protected areas (Terbish et al., 2006; protected area data provided by UNEP-
WCMC, 2006).
Distribution
Global distribution: North-eastern Romania; southern
Ukraine; Turkey (Szczerbak, 1974); south-western
Russian Federation (in the south to the northern
Caucasus, east up to Ural River); eastern Georgia;
southern Moldova; Armenia (Sevan River Basin);
northern Islamic Republic of Iran; northern Azerbaijan;
western and eastern Kazakhstan; Uzbekistan;
Tajikistan; Kyrgyzstan; north-western China (Xinjiang
and Inner Mongolia); south-western Mongolia (Uetz et
al., 2006).
Regional distribution: The species occurs in gravel desert or low sandy hills in Baruun
Khuurai, Davsan Khuurai, Yolkhon, Khonin Us and Takhiin Us Gobies and along river banks
in Bulgan and Uyench in Dzungarian Govi Desert (Terbish and Munkhbayar, 1982; Terbish,
37
Photograph courtesy of Kh. Terbish