A novel biochemical systematic technique for herpetology based on epidermal keratin

Summary Using green geckos (Phelsuma) the molecular weights and isoelectric points of S-carboxymethylated keratin monomers from fresh and preserved reptile epidermis were investigated. Isoelectric focussing reveals that several of the circa 35 components differ between genera, species and races and that the relative similarity of the SCMK pattern is directly related to evolutionary similarity and is of considerable taxonomic value.We would like to thank the SRC (grant A/8799.9 to R.S. Th.) and the Department of Zoology, Aberdeen for funding this research and Dr Alan Knox for his advice and assistance at the inception of this project. R.S. Th. would like to thank the Bonhote fund, Carnegie Trust and the Joint Research Committee of Aberdeen University for travel expenses related to this research and the Reptile and Amphibian section of the BMNH for the loan of specimens. M. G. would like to thank J.M. Gillespie for communications on keratin biochemistry and Dr Charteris (BDH) for a sample of their molecular weight markers prior to it being marketed.