Catalogue of the available scientific species-group names for lizards of the genus Phrynocephalus Kaup, 1825 (Reptilia, Sauria, Agamidae)

Abstract

This paper is a review of the specific taxonomy of the lizard genus Phrynocephalus Kaup, 1825. From 1771 to 2002, 140 species were either described as members of this genus, or of other genera but subsequently reffered to this genus. We have tried to review all the available information on the taxonomic status of these 140 names and the status of their name-bearing types. As a result of this review, 114 types are known to be extant, including 22 lectotypes and 5 neotypes designated in the present paper. As a conclusion of this preliminary analysis, we provisionally distribute these 140 names in 37 valid species names in the genus Phrynocephalus, 102 invalid synonyms of the latter names, and 1 nominal species now referred to another genus. The new subgenus Oreosaura subgen. nov. is described to accomodate viviparous species from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.