SHEREMETYEVA I.N.
Amurian zoological journal 2026; XVIII(1): 235–249
The genetic diversity distribution in species of the genus Takydromus Daudin, 1802 (Lacertidae), a group of reptiles widespread in East and Southeast Asia, has been assessed for the first time. It was shown that forest species exhibit a lower level of genetic variability compared to grassland species, reflecting an evolutionary characteristic of the former. Both forest and grassland species inhabiting northern latitudes on the mainland part of the genus range lost a significant portion of their genetic diversity during the Pleistocene, due to range contraction resulting from the degradation of suitable habitats into isolated small refugia. In contrast to the mainland, forest species living on islands did not show a reduction in genetic diversity. Despite significant anthropogenic pressure, the islands of the Japanese archipelago and Taiwan continue to retain most of the genetic diversity of forest species.
