Species list and distribution of phrynocephalus and eremias lizards in the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent Alashan Desert (2007-2018)

Based on field surveys in the Tibetan Plateau and the Arid Central Asia from 2007 to 2018, along with strengthened cooperation with domestic and foreign colleagues, the species diversity and distribution database of toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus) and racerunner lizards (Eremias) in the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent Alashan Desert was built. The toad-headed agamas and racerunners are excellent representative genera/species to serve as indicators for climate change in Asian interior arid zone. In order to understand how climate change and geological events infulence the diversfication of species, and how, in turn, lizards adapt to ecological changes, the richness of species and related distributional data were collected. The species diversity and distribution patterns may be analysed based on this dataset. This dataset can be used to evaluate the species diversity and to provide a cornerstone for biodiversity conservation.