THE STUDY OF REPTILES IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SPECIES (BASED ON SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS)

Аннотация

This study focuses on analyzing the reptile species found in Central Asia, their morphological characteristics, and the history of their research. Utilizing scientific collections, morphological differences within reptile populations were identified, and their adaptations to different habitats were evaluated. Geometric morphometric methods were employed, providing insights into species variation through statistical and mathematical shape analysis. The findings offer essential data for reptile conservation and scientific classification. Additionally, this study contributes to addressing urgent issues in ecological monitoring and biodiversity preservation. Keyword: Central Asia, Reptiles, Scientific collections, Morphological analysis, MorpoJ, Eremias velox, Species variation Аннотация: Данное исследование направлено на анализ видов рептилий, обитающих в Центральной Азии, их морфологических характеристик и истории их изучения. Используя научные коллекции, были выявлены морфологические различия в популяциях рептилий, а также оценены их адаптации к различным средам обитания. Для исследования применялись методы геометрической морфометрии, которые обеспечили понимание вариаций между видами через статистический и математический анализ формы. Результаты предоставляют важные данные для сохранения рептилий и их научной классификации. Кроме того, данное исследование вносит вклад в решение актуальных проблем экологического мониторинга и сохранения биоразнообразия. Ключевые слова: Центральная Азия, Рептилии, Научные коллекции, Морфологический анализ, MorphoJ, Eremias velox, Вариации видов Introduction: Reptiles represent a significant component of biodiversity, playing a crucial role in maintaining the stability of various ecosystems. Central Asia serves as a biodiversity hotspot for reptiles, making the study of these 5 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference species both scientifically and ecologically important. This research aims to analyze the morphological characteristics of reptile species in Central Asia and investigate their adaptation mechanisms to diverse habitats. The study utilized geometric morphometric methods based on specimens preserved in scientific collections. These methods provide accurate and reliable data for identifying morphological differences between species. The findings contribute to the scientific classification of species, understanding their ecological roles, and developing important recommendations for biodiversity conservation. The study of morphological variation in organisms has been significantly advanced through the use of geometric morphometric methods, facilitated by tools such as MorphoJ. Developed by Chris Klingenberg, MorphoJ has been instrumental in analyzing biological shapes and understanding their evolutionary, ecological, and developmental dynamics. Klingenberg's work has focused on key areas, including the morphological variation in populations, the dynamics of shape changes during ontogenesis, and evolutionary transformations of shapes [1]. MorphoJ is not only used for evolutionary studies but also extends to other biological disciplines. For instance, Dean C. Adams has employed geometric morphometric techniques, including MorphoJ, to investigate evolutionary changes in size and shape within populations and to analyze biological shapes statistically [2]. In the field of paleontology, Norman MacLeod utilized MorphoJ to analyze the morphological structures of fossils, such as dinosaurs, exploring the mechanisms driving shape changes during evolutionary and ecological processes [3]. Similarly, Julia C. Boughner applied MorphoJ in her studies of skull shapes in humans and primates, linking morphological data to genetic influences [4]. In aquatic systems, Brian Sidlauskas used MorphoJ to examine fish morphology, revealing how their shapes adapt to ecological pressures and genetic variation within populations [5]. In herpetology, Valéria A. Goulart and Emma Sherratt contributed significantly to understanding the morphological variation in reptiles and amphibians. Goulart explored the geographic variability of their shapes and correlated it with ecological data using MorphoJ [6]. Sherratt examined the evolutionary patterns in amphibians and reptiles, focusing on how environmental and spatial factors influence shape changes [7]. The integration of MorphoJ into such diverse studies demonstrates its robustness and versatility, making it a crucial tool for modern biological 6 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference research. This study builds on these foundations, using MorphoJ to analyze morphological variations in reptiles from Central Asia, contributing to their conservation and classification.