Saara is a genus of lizards in the subfamily Uromasticinae of the family Agamidae. The genus is endemic to Asia.
Taxonomy Until 2009, the member species of the genus Saara were generally included in the genus Uromastyx., , , , (2009). "On the phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Uromastyx Merrem, 1820 (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae: Uromastycinae) - resurrection of the genus Saara Gray, 1845". Bonner zoologische Beiträge 56 (1/2): 55–99. PDF
Geographic range and habitat Saara species are native to dry habitats in southwestern Asia, ranging from Iran to northwestern India.
Species Image Scientific name Common name Distribution Saara asmussi Iranian mastigure, Persian spiny-tailed lizard Afghanistan, southern Iran, and Pakistan. Saara hardwickii Hardwicke's spiny-tailed lizard, Indian spiny-tailed lizard India and Pakistan. Saara loricata Iraqi mastigure, Iraqi spiny-tailed lizard Iraq and Iran
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Saara.
References
Further reading Gray JE (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxviii + 289 pp. (Saara, new genus, p. 262).