Genetic Variability of mtDNA Cytochrome Gene of the Amur Grass Lizard Peters, 1881 in the Southern Russian Far East

The Amur Grass lizard, found in the southern Russian Far East, is a one of two species of the endemic Asian genus of grass lizards (long-tailed lizard). The analysis of the variability of the cytochrome gene region of mitochondrial DNA was carried out in amurensis for the first time. Our results indicate a low level of nucleotide diversity (0.00905 ± 0.0009) in the species, which is inconsistent with previously published data. The subdivision level of the coastal population "Pri" from Korean "Kor" and Chinese "Hei" and "Lia" is shown to be reliable. It has been suggested that a refugium for the Amur Grass lizard may have existed in the south of Sikhote-Alin in the past.