**Acknowledgements**

*Habitats of the World - Biodiversity and Threats*

species are restricted by different climatic conditions.

factors for suitable habitat.

(89.2%) was dependent on temperature.

understanding biodiversity patterns in Asia.

and near rivers in southeastern Iran.

The suitable habitats for *A. pannonicus* were in Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). In Iran, *A. pannonicus* was present in the majority of habitat types [30] except deserts, showing the effect of barriers on dispersion of the terrestrial species. This lizard inhabited palm groves (Abadan and Mahshahr), Karoon River shore region, and Darvishab River Park of Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran (**Figure 3**). It was absent in the steppes of northwestern Iran, probably, due to competition with *A. bivittatus*. Therefore, *A. grayanus* and *A. pannonicus* prefer different climatic conditions across the Middle East and Central Asia. In addition, our results showed that the distributions of these

The occurrence and the presence of *A. grayanus* are more influenced by precipitation of the driest quarter of the year (24%), mean temperature of the coldest quarter of the year (23.3%), and precipitation of the driest month (18.45%). Therefore, it is more likely to be found in hot regions under the influence of the rainy monsoon. The prevalence of *A. pannonicus* is more impacted by temperature seasonality (27%), slope (19.2%), and mean temperature of the wettest quarter of the year (18.5%). Due to relationship between temperature and humidity, we claim that seasonal temperatures, especially during the spring, are the most effective

The models simulated at the MH distribution of *A. grayanus* were highly influenced by precipitation of the driest quarter of the year (59.7%), isothermality (22.8), and mean temperature of the driest quarter of the year (15.3) which resulted from both African and Asian rainy monsoons. Those established damp environments and stable habitats for *A. grayanus*. Another species was highly (79.6%) dependent on temperature (isothermality, temperature seasonality, mean temperature of the wettest quarter of the year, and temperature annual range) that indicated the importance of temperature in range extension for *A. pannonicus*. The models simulated at the LIG distribution of *A. grayanus* was influenced by precipitation of the driest month and the driest quarter of the year (72.7%). *A. pannonicus*

From the last simulation models (6 and 120 thousand years ago), it is clear that in those times wider distribution ranges and areas that are now part of unsuitable habitat, at that time, due to better climatic and environmental conditions influenced by monsoon rainfall, would have been a favorable habitat. Finally, study of the effective bioclimatic variables in a species' distribution over time provides heuristic methods for the management of important habitat by conservation assessments of current habitats and identification of habitat suitability. According to results obtained based on this study, the minor snake-eyed skink, *A. grayanus*, and the Asian snake-eyed skink, *A. pannonicus*, are good indicators for assessing the effects of climatic changes on distribution range of the species over time and for

It is expected that lizards inhabiting open habitats are more susceptible to a predator attack than those inhabiting forest habitats [44], since bushy habitat may provide suitable refuges for lizards. The Asian snake-eyed skink, *Ablepharus pannonicus* (Fitzinger, 1823), was found in the Zagros Mountains among sparse annual grasses, near thorny bushes, natural parks, and under the dead oak leaves. The minor snake-eyed skink *Ablepharus grayanus* (Stoliczka, 1872) lives in palm groves

**72**

**5. Conclusion**

We are grateful to Steven C. Anderson for checking, editing, and improving the manuscript. We thank Hassan Salehi, Mousa Mahmoodi, Hurmuz Nematzadeh, Ali Gholamifard, Sabzali Rasouli, Hiwa Faizi, Mohsen Takesh, Ehsan Damadi, Morteza Akbarpour, and Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani for assisting us with fieldwork in Iran. Also we are grateful to Razi University (Kermanshah, Iran) authorities for the financial support during the fieldwork.

