Karin Tamar, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University

My study aims to resolve some of the more pressing taxonomic and phylogenetic problems by carrying out a thorough and comprehensive revision of Israeli reptiles using a combination of morphological, behavioural and molecular analyses, including aspects of biogeography and phylogeography. This project combines fieldwork, common-garden experiments, laboratory work and natural history museum study. The genetic analysis aims to reconstruct the species-level and sub-specific relationships (phylogeographic) of Israeli reptiles, and track historical biogeography and phylogeography processes. The behavioural analysis includes controlled breeding experiments for taxa that are suspected as either over- or under-split; these will be used as evidence of reproductive isolation against species rank according to the biological species concept. The morphological analysis aims to resolve relationships by combining traditional and modern morphological taxonomic methods as a way to achieve comprehensive and accurate descriptions and classifications of the reptile species.