×

In the course of the faunistic inventory in Wadi Ramm Protected Area, a total of 34 species of reptiles representing nine families (Gekkonidae, Chamaeleonidae, Agamidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Leptotyphlopidae, Colubridae, and Viperidae) were recorded from different habitats in Wadi Ramm and its closest vicinity. Three species (Lacerta cf. kulzeri, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, and Ablepharus rueppellii) are considered to represent relicts from earlier, more humid periods. Habitat preferences for collected species are included.

×

A total of 34 species of amphibians and reptiles are reported from Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia. They include one species of amphibian and 33 reptiles belonging to 12 families (cheloniidae, Gekkonidae, Agamidae, chamaeleonidae, lacertidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Trogonophidae, Boidae, colubridae, Viperidae and elapidae). Three species of reptiles are new to the herpetofauna of Saudi Arabia: Hemidactylus mendiae, Pseudotrapelus aqabensis and Phoenicolacerta kulzeri ssp.. Additional distributional data for the reptiles of the Province of Tabuk expand the known distribution for several Arabian species.

×

A total of 46 reptilian species belonging to 9 families (Gekkonidae, Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae, Scincidae, Lacertidae, Varanidae, Boidae, Colubridae and Viperidae) are reported from Southern Jordan. Bunopus tuberculatus, Tropiocolotes steudneri and Phrynocephalus arabicus are new records, while Coluber elegantissimus is reported for the second time. A. population of horned Cerastes cerastes was found at Disah area. Remarks on the distribution of these reptiles are included. Acanthodactylus boskianus, Acanthodactylus tristrami, Acanthodactylus grandis, Acanthodactylus opheodurus, Acanthodactylus pardalis, Ophisops elegans, Mesalina guttulata, Lacerta laevis kulzeri.

×

Archaeolacerta s. l., in the currently utilized sense results to be a polyphyletic taxon, composed of three monophyletic and phylogenetically well differentiated taxa: a)-Archaeolacerta (s. str.) Mertens, 1921, which includes three species: A. bedriagae, A. oxycephala, and A. mosorensis, distributed by the northern part of the Central Mediterranean (Corsica, Sardinia, and west Balcanic Peninsula). His most related genera seem to be Teira (his adelphotaxon in our study), Apathya, and Omanosaura. b)-Iberolacerta gen. nov., with two subgenera: Iberolacerta s. str. and Pyrenesaura subgen. nov. includes six species: I. monticola, I. cyreni, I. bonnali, I. aranica, I. aurelioi, and I. horvathi. They are distributed by the mountains of Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Central and Eastern Alps and the north of the Dinaric Chains). His adelphotaxon are the Caucasian and Near East species of Darevskia gen. nov. c)-The third taxa is Darevskia gen. nov., which includes the species of the `L.` saxicola complex besides `L.` derjugini, `L.` praticola, and `L.` chlorogaster. They are distributed by Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Near East. Other clear relationships among some taxa of the Eurasian Radiation [= `Eurasische linie` from (Mayer and Benyr, 1994)] have been found: Algyroides seems to be the sister group of the species considered of uncertain phylogenetic relationships belonging to the `L.` danfordi-laevis group and of Podarcis. `L.` brandtii seems to be a very primitive species within the Eurasian Radiation. Omanosaura and Apathya appear as sister taxa. `L.` graeca occupies a very basal position in the sister group of Podarcis and relatives (see above). `L.` andreanskyi is the sister species of the Darevskia nov. and Iberolacerta nov. clade. The assimilation of `L.` andreanskyi to Teira is very problematic. Also the `L.` parva group seems to be related to Timon. Some groups of species like `L.` brandtii, `L.` parva-fraasii and `L.` danfordi-laevis probably merit generic rank, but it is necessary a more deep study before to take a decision.

×

In order to resolve the relationships of Lacerta kulzeri, parts of mitochondrial genes for 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA of samples of the following species were sequenced: Gallotia stehlini (as an outgroup), Lacerta trilineata, L. cappadocica, L. fraasii, L. danfordi, L. rudis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, as well as representatives of different populations of L. laevis and L. kulzeri. Sequence analysis clearly shows a close relation between L. laevis and L. kulzeri and no close relation of these species to any other representative of the lizards examined. The other species also show themselves to be representatives of very distinct lacertid groups. The resulting sequence differences within L. kulzeri and L. laevis, respectively, are very high in relation to those between the two species, and they are higher than one would expect for species with small areas.

×

New informationen concerning systematical questions within the family Lacertidae, which were published during the last one and a half years, are presented.

×

Bericht über die Entdeckungsgeschichte der Eidechsen des Lacerta kulzeri-Komplexes, speziell jener des Djebel Druz in Syrien. Der Lebensraum der Dj. Druz-Eidechsewn sowie einige Freilandbeobachtungen werden mitgeteilt. Bemerkenswert ist, dass die Eidechsen offensichtlich von sich aus das Wasser aufsuchen. Die übrige Herpetofauna des Dj. Druz wird aufgelistet und teilweise kurz kommentiert.

×

Revision of the Levantine Lacerta laevis / kulzeri complex: 2. The wall lizard of Petra, Lacerta kulzeri petraea ssp.n. Lacerta kulzeri petraea ssp.n. is described from the ancient Petra in Jordan. The new subspecies can be differentiated from the other representatives of the L . kulzeri complex by its relatively short skull, the lack of a masseteric shield in most individuals, and a high number of dorsals, supraciliar granules, gulars, and subdigital lamellae. The ground colouration is light showing only a faint reticulation. Next to the morphological data, notes on distribution and ecology are given.

×

During two excursions to Syria (March/April and May 1994) 9 species of lacertid lizards were found (Acanthodactylus grandis, A. orientalis, A. tristrami, Lacerta media wolterstorffi L. cappadocica wolteri, L. l. laevis, L. (cf.) kulzeri, Mesalina brevirostris and Ophisops elegans ssp.). Three of them (A. tristrami, L. cappadocica wolteri and L. (cf.) kulzeri) are reported for the first time for this country. Concerning L. cappadocica, L. laevis, L. (cf.) kulzeri and O. elegans systematical questions are discussed. Ecological data are presented. Further amphibians and reptiles found during the excursions are listed, Coluber najadum is reported for the first time for Syria.

×

Presently, within the lizard populations included in the Lacerta laevis-kulzeri complex, two main groups appear to be well distinguished in terms of morphology, distribution and ecology: Lacerta laevis Gray, 1838 (sensu lato) which is generally distributed in the Mediterranean region to the west of the Rift valley between Central Israel/Palestine and southern Turkey. The species prefers humid habitats in oak forests, gardens and valleys. Despite considerable morphological variation, only one subspecies (troodica from Cyprus) has been acknowledged to date. During our research in the northern mountains to the east of the rift valley (Syria/Turkey), a quite distinct rock lizard was detected living in hills with sparse vegetation; our classification of it under L. laevis s.l. is highly provisional. The second group comprises the often misunderstood rock-lizard Lacerta kulzeri Müller & Wettstein, 1932, described from Bcharré/Lebanon. It is mainly distributed in the continental mountains and hill lands to the east of the Rift valley, from the Anti-Lebanon to Petra/Jordan in the south. Morphologically different and isolated populations occur here and at the eastern side of the Lebanon Mts. and the volcanic Djebel Druz/South Syria. Near Bloudan/Anti-Lebanon and at Djebel Barouk/Lebanon Mts. both groups were found sympatrically.

×

In the herpetological collection of ZFMK 528 scientific species group names are represented by type materi- al. Of these, 304 names are documented by primary type specimens (onomatophores) while for 224 further names sec- ondary type specimens (typoids) are available, ranging chronologically from 1801 to 2010. The list is a shortened pred- ecessor of a comprehensive type catalogue in progress. It lists name bearing types with their catalogue numbers includ- ing information on further type series members also in other institutions, while secondary types are listed only by pres- ence, both in ZFMK and other collections including holotype repositories. Geographic origin and currently valid names are also provided.

×

Courtship behaviour of lizards from Ma`alula (Syria) starts with the usual introductory tail-bite, mainly in the female`s tail base, of 64 ± 31 sec. (42 - 133 sec.) (n = 8). With some snapping movements the male then secures a proper mating bite laterally in the posterior part of the female`s flank. Copulation lasts 42 ± 12 (26 - 62) See, (n = 8). Intromission is terminated by the male pulling his cloaca away a few seconds before he opens his jaws and releases the female. The only report in the literature on this lacertid, which describes a bite in the female`s thigh during courtship, is explained as a misinterpretation under field circumstances.

×

With temperatures around 30°C the Lacerta cf. kulzeri in Petra (Jordan) showed a bimodal activity rhythm in April. The lizards clearly preferred the vertical sandstone faces with a further predilection for the horizontal cracks. A female in gestation and probable territorial behaviour indicate that the reproductive season had already started. The somewhat Iusher vegetation in the lizard`s habitat suggests a selection of a slightly more humid niche in the region, which is nevertheless much drier than where the supposedly related, and often with L. cf. kulzeri confused, Lacerta laevis occurs elsewhere in the Middle East. The saxicolous life-style could - at least partly - be a response to competition from the ground dwelling Acanthodactylus boskianus.

×

I observed and caught the local form of Lacerta cf. kulzeri at the beginning of June 1998 in the Mt. Hermon range at 1600-2000 m altitude. Apparently this lizard is restricted to dolomite, probably because the water retaining properties of this type of rock causes a slightly more humid microhabitat than the surroundings. The animals, not particularly shy, are active from at least 9:00- 17:00, altthough they seem to avoid the hotter hours. They appeared to live individually in territories of several Square meters in area. The main category of prey remains found in the faecal pellets was Staphylinidae (Coleoptera). Male L. cf. kulzeri that I caught measured 58-61 + 128 - 134 mm (HB + T) and weighed 6.5 g, females were 52 - 58 + 100 - 111 mm and weighed 4.5 - 5.3 g. The ventral colouration was off-white to somewhat pinkish or yellowish. Some females already carried eggs in June. One female deposited three eggs (6.5 x 12.5 mm, 0.25 g) in a terrarium at the beginning of July, but unfortunately these did not develop. In 1999 both females each produced two clutches of 3 - 5 eggs in April and May. The eggs measured 7.7 ± 0.6 x 14,4 ± 1.4 mm (n = 12) and weighed 0.53 ± 0,08 (0.43 - 0.70) g (n = 12). Only one egg developed, it grew to 1.38 g and 12.3 x 15.5 mm, and hatched after 60 days at 25 °C. The juvenile measured 28 + 52 mm (HB + T) and 0.50 g. Except for the turquoise tail and a slightly more pronounced pattern on the flanks, the young resembles its parents. The ventral colouration cream to slightly rose. The poor hatching results could have been caused by transports and blood punctures for DNA research.

×

A synonymy of the presently known forms of the Lacerta kulzeri group is presented, and pertinent literature is analyzed.

×

The first observations on reproduction and behaviour in captivity are reported for three lizards from the Near East (Lacerta kulzeri group). The animals were caught in Petra (Jordan), in the Anti Lebanon mountain range near Ma`lula (Syria), and in die Lebanon mountain range near Aineta, Hadet and Faraya (Lebanon). All three forms produce at least two clutches yearly, each consisting of on average three eggs. Hatchlings were obtained from all three forms. These are described below. The taxonomie relations between the three lizard-forms presented here, as well as their relationships to Lacerta laevis and Lacerta danfordi, are discussed in brief.

×

Karyological (standard and C, Ag-NOR and Alu-I banding methods) and mtDNA analyses (cytochrome b and 12S rRNA) were conducted on specimens from eight allopatric populations of the Lacerta kulzeri complex. Parallel analyses were performed for comparison on Lacerta laevis specimens. Karyological and molecular studies support the morphological and ethological evidence indicating the specific separation between Lacerta laevis and Lacerta kulzeri In the Lacerta kulzeri complex, chromosomal analysis substantiated an interpopulation differentiation roughly along a north–south trend, mainly regarding the sex chromosome morphology and heterochromatin.The cytochrome b and 12S rRNA gene analyses showed minor genetic differences that were considerably smaller than those commonly found in genetically isolated populations. The L. kulzeri populations from Barouk, Druze and Hermon show a mean genetic distance that, in other saurians, characterises subspecies. The conditions found in L. laevis and L. kulzeri are reminiscent of King`s model of chromosomal primary allopatry and support the hypothesis that in these lacertid lizards chromosome variations can become fixed before the accumulation of the genetic mutations.

×

We investigate whether at a low taxonomic level an analysis of courtship provides useful phylogenetic information in lacertids. This leads to an understanding of the evolutionary development of courtship behaviour. In a concise general description of lacertid courtship behaviour, four phases are distinguished : introduction, copulation, post-copulatory bite, and the period immediately after physical separation. The composing elements are described. Observations on courtship displays of seven closely related putative species of lacertid lizards, Lacerta cf. kulzeri, are summarised in 38 behavioural traits, resulting in a data matrix analysed by PAUP. One most parsimonious cladogram (MPC) with 61 steps (corrected Consistency Index = 0.62) is found. The study demonstrates that at a low taxonomic level (putative species) in lacertids, a behavioural analysis provides useful phylogenetic information, from which a reconstruetion of the evolutionary development of courtship behaviour results. In the L. cf. kulzeri complex, courtship seems to evolve towards a lengthening of the total duration. This trend is possibly correlated with an increased preference for a progressively more vegetated, horizontal microhabitat, after coming from a similar ancestral environment in lowland areas and going through an evolution in a more open, drier ecosystem of rocky outcrops at higher elevations. The character sets on the internal nodes of the cladogram do not seem to represent a coherent evolutionary pathway. These stages of evolutionary development appear to be interchangeable. Moreover, behavioural syndromes can hardly be recognised in this phylogenetic context. Our cladogram is strictly based on apomorphic similarities, and all relationships among taxa are based on recency of common ancestry. The only other diagram for this group available from the literature is based on overall morphological similarity. This dendrogram is considerably longer (69 steps) when the behavioural characters are mapped onto it. Parsimony mapping of behavioural characters on an as yet unpublished preliminary cladogram based on 12S rDNA data results in 65 steps. Consequently, we favour the behavioural cladogram.

×

Systematics, distribution and ecology of 4 lizards of Jordan were studied: Uromastyx aegyptius microlepis, Lacerta laevis kulzeri, Lacerta trilineata israelica and Chalcides guentheri. All these species are new for Jordan. A revised list of the lizards of Jordan is given as an appendix.

×

Zoogeographically, the Jordanian herpetofauna is heterogeneous, originating from four biogeographical regions (Oriental, Palearctic, Saharo-Sindian, and Afrotropical) and occupying four different ecozones. Ninetythree species and subspecies of amphibians and reptiles are recorded from Jordan, showing different distribution patterns. The Mediterranean ecozone harbours the highest number (35) of recorded species, followed by the Sudanian Tropical penetration zone (16), and the Badyiah ecozone (12), respectively. Jordan is not separated by natural boundaries from the surrounding countries, which prevents the operation of isolation mechanisms, and seems to result in the absence of endemism. There are, however, three areas of endemism within the Eastern Mediterranean region taken as one whole unit: the Badyiah shared by Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the northern part of the Mediterranean ecozone shared by Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Jordan, and southwest Jordan, Israel and Sinai. Some Palearctic species such as Coluber schmidti and C. ravergieri are relicts of the postglacial period and continue to survive in refugal enclaves with delicate ecological patterns. The distribution of some species, such as Bufo viridis, Mauremys caspica rivulata, Natrix tessellata, Coluber ventromaculatus, C. jugularis asianus, Walterinnesia aegyptia, and Vipera palaestinae, has been greatly influenced by climatic as well as anthropogenic changes.

×

The lizard fauna of Jordan is very diverse and forms 55.5% of the terrestrial herpetofauna of the country. Lizard species of Arabian origin form the highest percentage (43%) of the lizards, followed by Saharo-Sindian (35%), Palaearctic (20%) and only 2% with Afrotropical affinities. 69.1% of the lizard species inhabit two ecozones: Badia (Eastern Desert); and Wadi Araba and Wadi Rum. The Badia may form the focal point for the evolution of certain Acanthodactylus species. Jordan forms the southernmost limit of the distribution of some Palaearctic species (i.e. Lacerta media, L. laevis, Pseudopus apodus) and they inhabit the Mediterranean ecozone. The presence of diverse habitats in Jordan allowed certain allopatric congeneric species of the genus Ptyodactylus to live in isolation from one another. Southern Jordan and Wadi Rum are part of the Levantine land bridge and act as a “biogeographical filter”. Most of the species found in Wadi Rum are of Arabian affinities and their distribution does not extend towards the west.

×

Zoogeographically, the Syrian herpetofauna is heterogeneous, originating from four biogeographical regions (Oriental, Palearctic, Saharo-Sindian and Afrotropical) and is characterized by the presence of five ecozones. 50% of the terrestrial herpetofaunal species are of palaearetic affinity while 32.3%, 14.6% and 3.1% are of Saharo-Sindian, Arabian and Afrotropical affinities, respectively. Five records of reptiles are new to the Syrian fauna: Emys orbicularis, Acanthodactylus opheodurus, Acanthodactylus schreiben syriacus, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, and Lepto- typhlops macrorhynchus; Coluber rogersi is reported for the second time. An updated list of the herpetofauna of Syria is given.

×

Während zweier Aufenthalte von sechseinhalb bzw. acht Monaten im syrisch-libanesisch-islraelischen Grenzgebiet hatte ich Gelegenheit, die dortige Herpetofauna zu studieren. Besonders intensiv untersuchte ich Südwest-Syrien, nämlich die östlichen Golanhöhen und den Hermon. 6 Amphibien-und 33 Reptilienarten konnten nachgewiesen werden, die mit Angaben ihrer Fundorte, Nahrungsgewohnheiten, Habitate und hinweisungswürdigen Anmerkungen aufgelistet werden.

×

Herpetological trip to Israel in 2016 A combination of a long lasting wish to visit the Middle East and motivated by a book of Bar & Haimovitch (2012) we undertook a trip to Israel in the period April 11- 21 2016. The field guide mentions 92 reptile and amphibian species occurring in Israel. Besides that you can find a lot of other animals in Israel, amongst which specific birds, mammals and eighteen species of scorpions (Stockmann & Ythier, 2010). We had five accommodations (two days each) from the most northern part (the Golan Heights to the most southern part of Israel (Eilat). In the table you can see what kind of reptiles and scorpions we discovered in specific regions of Israel. We thank Aviad, Aviv and Ilian for their enthusiastic support and hospitality and Gert-Jan for his support to organize this trip.

×

In recent years there has been an exponential increase in the amount of published DNA sequences, as it has become one of the most popular sources of data for reconstructing phylogenies. A number of studies have attempted to resolve the relationships of groups of lacertids using mitochondrial DNA sequence data, in particular Podarcis and Gallotia (e.g. THORPE et al., 1994; 1996; GONZALEZ et al., 1996; FU et al., 1997; HARRIS, 1997; HARRIS et al., 1998a; 1999; CASTILLA et al., 1999a,b). Reassessment of these data suggest some alternative phylogenies to those previously published, and also highlight possible problems. Two studies have attempted to unravel the phylogeny of the whole family using mitochondrial DNA sequences (FU, 1998; HARRIS et al., 1998b). By combining these essentially congruent data sets, and reanalysing levels of support for the phylogenies produced, a more complete estimate of relationships across the family is produced. This is then compared to alternative sources of evidence, primarily morphological (ARNOLD, 1989), biochemical (MAYER & BENYR, 1994) and karyological (OLMO et al., 1993). Reasons for discrepencies are discussed, as are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of phylogenetic inference.

×

The evolutionary diversification of many terrestrial vertebrate groups is strongly linked to climatic events in the Cenozoic, the period from 65 Million years ago to today when modern animals first appeared. I investigated the effects of Cenozoic climate change on the taxonomic and morphological diversification of the Old World lizard family Lacertidae, with particular emphasis on the African radiation. African lacertids exhibit an unusual pattern of diversification, in which their highest species richness occurs in deserts north and south of the equator, despite being spread throughout the continent. This disparity is particularly surprising given that desert lacertids are thought to be evolutionarily younger than their mesic-dwelling relatives, suggesting increased diversification rates in arid habitats. To identify the evolutionary factors underlying this pattern, I use a combination of phylogenetic, morphological and ecological techniques. In Chapter 1, I apply Bayesian methods and fossil-based calibrations to molecular sequence data to construct a time-calibrated phylogeny for Lacertidae. I estimate that the family arose in the early Cenozoic, with the majority of their African radiation occurring in the Eocene and Oligocene. In Chapter 2, I describe changes in lacertid body shape across biomes and substrates, and find widespread morphological convergence in similar habitat types. I suggest that in addition to foraging demands, fluctuating and extreme climatic conditions, largely driven by precipitation and temperature, contribute to morphological convergence across independent arid-dwelling clades. Finally, I test if ancestral transitions in ecology, morphology, and rates of diversification temporally coincide with paleoclimatic events in the Cenozoic. I use High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography to characterize changes in the skull related to life in arid habitats, and apply maximum likelihood methods to test if the origins of those traits temporally coincide with significant shifts in habitat, diversification rates and climatic changes. My results show that African lacertids experienced three major peaks in diversification, accompanied by the evolution of suites of arid-adapted morphological traits. These changes coincide with climatic shifts in Africa, including the transition from closed forests to open grasslands and savanna in the late Oligocene, prior to the peak temperatures of the mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, and following the formation of the Benguela current leading to hyper-aridity in southern Africa. I conclude that deserts are important centers for reptile evolution, but that expected changes in climate due to global warming may outpace the ability of arid-dwelling species to adapt and persist in the future.

×

This paper reports more than 400 original data on the Lebanese herpetofauna (covering 5 amphibians and 44 reptiles), deriving from museum collections and recent field observations. The most interesting data concern: (a) Cyrtopodion amictopholis, a species known only from Mt. Hermon, reported for the first time from Mt. Lebanon Range; (b) Lacerta fraasi, previously con- sidered endemic to the Mount Lebanon Range, also recorded from Antilebanon; (c) the occur- rence of Macrovipera lebetina is confirmed with certainty from two localities in the north. New records are given for many species known in Lebanon only on the basis of very few and often old reports.

×

We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) using Illumina technology and additional Sanger sequencing. The assembled 17 086 bp mitogenome had a GC content of 40.32% and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one control region (CR), with a gene order identical to the chordate consensus. In addition, we re-sequenced the mitogenome of the closely related Eastern green lizard L. viridis using the same techniques as for L. bilineata. The mitogenomes of L. bilineata and L. viridis showed a sequence identity of 94.4% and 99.9%, respectively, relative to the previously published L. viridis mitogenome. The phylogenetic reconstruction based on 17 Lacertinae mitogenomes using Anolis carolinensis as the outgroup supported L. bilineata and its sister species L. viridis as distinct lineages.

×

Anhand der Ergebnisse einer Sammelreise des Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC) im April 1999 werden neue Ergebnisse zur Herpetofauna Syriens vorgestellt. Wir sammelten an 30 Lokalitäten insgesamt 391 Exemplare in 43 Arten. Die Ergebnisse erweitern unser Wissen über die Verbreitung mehrerer Arten. Die systematische Stellung von vier Arten (Rana bedriagae, Ptyodactylus sp., Lacerta kultzeri, Mabuya aurata) wird im Lichte neuerer Revisionen der syrischen Herpetofauna diskutiert.

×

Aim Body size is instrumental in influencing animal physiology, morphology, ecology and evolution, as well as extinction risk. I examine several hypotheses regarding the influence of body size on lizard evolution and extinction risk, assessing whether body size influences, or is influenced by, species richness, herbivory, island dwelling and extinction risk. Location World-wide. Methods I used literature data and measurements of museum and live specimens to estimate lizard body size distributions. Results I obtained body size data for 99% of the world`s lizard species. The body size–frequency distribution is highly modal and right skewed and similar distributions characterize most lizard families and lizard assemblages across biogeographical realms. There is a strong negative correlation between mean body size within families and species richness. Herbivorous lizards are larger than omnivorous and carnivorous ones, and aquatic lizards are larger than non-aquatic species. Diurnal activity is associated with small body size. Insular lizards tend towards both extremes of the size spectrum. Extinction risk increases with body size of species for which risk has been assessed. Main conclusions Small size seems to promote fast diversification of disparate body plans. The absence of mammalian predators allows insular lizards to attain larger body sizes by means of release from predation and allows them to evolve into the top predator niche. Island living also promotes a high frequency of herbivory, which is also associated with large size. Aquatic and nocturnal lizards probably evolve large size because of thermal constraints. The association between large size and high extinction risk, however, probably reflects a bias in the species in which risk has been studied.

×

Faunal lists are important tools in ecology, biogeography, and conservation planning. Such lists can identify gaps in our knowledge of the distribution and taxonomy of regional faunas, and highlight issues needing further study. We present an up to date list of all land vertebrates occurring in Israel. We identify 786 species, of which 551 are birds, 130 are mammals, 97 are reptiles and eight are amphibians. Of these 369 species breed in Israel (including reintroductions), 199 (mostly birds) are regular visitors and 182 are accidental. Fourteen other species are invasive, and 22 species are extinct. We identify issues with the taxonomy and status of several species, and note recent developments in our understanding the Israeli land vertebrate fauna.

×

A new lacertid, the Wadi Ramm Rock Lizard, Phoenicolacerta kulzeri khazaliensis ssp. n. from Wadi Ramm, southern Jordan, is described. Its morphological features are discussed in comparison with other populations of P. kulzeri, all known data on its biology are presented.

×

Jordan has a very diversified morphology, which is reflected also in the diversity of its herpetofauna. A total 90 amphibian and reptilian species is known to inhabit Jordan. Of those three are amphibians, with the fourth species most probably already extinct, 47 are lizard species, 35 are snake species and five turtle species. The amphibians are represented by three different families, lizards and snakes both by seven families and turtles by four families. The distribution, ecology and systematics for most species are given.

×

During a four week journey to Jordan in summer of 1994 the following five species of the lizard family Lacertidae were observed: Acanthodactylus boskianus asper, A. opheodurus, A. schmidti, Ophisops elegans ehrenbergii, and Lacerta cf. kulzeri.

×

During a journey to Jordan in July/August 1994, 19 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded. Some ecological observations were made in their habitats. The find of giant tadpoles of Rana ridibunda and the problematic, unclear systematic status of Ophisops elegans ehrenbergi in Jordan are emphasized

×

In July 1994, five specimens of the Lacerta-laevis-complex (sensu BISCHOFF & SCHMIDTLER 1994) were collected at Petra/Jordan. Their habitat and some ecological observations are described. The external morphological characters are discussed in relation to Lacerta l. laevis and L. kulzeri. The lizards of Petra do not belong to L. laevis, but have closer relationships to L. kulzeri frorn the Libanon mountains. It is suggested to name thern preliminarily as Lacerta cf. kulzeri. Beside this species, also Lacerta l. laevis exists in Jordan.

×

The analysis of a 581 bp section of the nuclear gene c-mos revealed multiple copies of putative functional sequences as well as pseudogenes in three closely related lacertid species Lacerta laevis, L. kulzeri and L. cyanisparsa. A phylogenetic analysis of c-mos in comparison with a molecular phylogeny based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene supports our findings. The study also provides new insights into the phylogenetic relationships of L. cyanisparsa and L. laevis. Pseudogenes of the three species share 11 single-nucleotide substitutions, a 1 bp deletion and a premature stop codon but differ by group-specific mutations. This result suggests that the c-mos gene has become duplicated and subsequently silenced already in the common ancestor of the three species. Sequence divergence suggests that the duplication and the loss of function occurred in the late Miocene/early Pliocene, i.e., about 5 million years ago. Indications of gene conversion are discussed. We suggest that future studies using c-mos for phylogenetic studies should provide evidence for the orthology of the sequences compared.

×

Lacertinae is one of the three lacertid lizard subfamilies with a geographical distribution confined to the Palaearctic. Several past attempts to reconstruct its phylogeny resulted in unresolved bush-like topologies. We address the question of whether the lack of resolution is due to insufficient data or whether this lack reflects a rapid succession of speciation events. We analyzed four partial and one complete gene sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, totalling roughly 3600 bp. We included 29 species representing all 19 genera suggested in recent revision of Lacertinae [Arnold, E.N., Arribas, O., Carranza, S., 2007. Systematics of the palaearctic and oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa 1430, 1–86]. The resulting phylogeny, first, corroborates monophyly at the genus level for the suggested genera, as well as the finding that Atlantolacerta andreanskyi, until recently part of Lacertinae, belongs to the subfamily Eremiadinae. Second, we find that increasing the sequence length and combining multiple nuclear and mitochondrial sequences did not resolve the polytomy, suggesting that the inferred topology indicates a multiple cladogenesis within a short geological period, rather than a methodical artefact. Divergence time estimates, based on previous estimates of several node ages, range from 13.9 to 14.9 million years for the radiation event, however with very broad confidence interval. To associate the radiation with a narrower geological time we consider palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic data, assuming that the Lacertinae probably evolved in Central Europe andWAsia after the collision of Africa and Eurasia. We suggest that this radiation may date to the late Langhian (ca. 14–13.5 million years) when geological events caused abrupt changes in regional water–land distribution and climate, offering a window of distinct conditions.

×

Complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes were sequenced from representatives of three lacertid lizards: Podarcis siculus, Podarcis muralis and Phoenicolacerta kulzeri. In all three genomes the arrangement of the 22 tRNAs, the two rRNAs and the 13 protein-coding genes conforms to the common vertebrate arrangement. The phylogenetic position of Lacertidae within the order Squamata was determined through sequence analyses based on large sections of complete mt genomes. The number of nucleotide sites used for tree construction was 9234 when outgroup taxa were included, and 10 499 when only Squamata were compared. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed the sister group relationship between Lacertidae and Amphisbaenia as previously proposed on the basis of molecular data. Additionally, Bayesian analysis revealed a well supported clade comprising (Gekkonidae (Lacertidae + Amphisbaenia)), which is not in accordance with the traditional morphological view and most of the previous molecular studies. It confirms, however, the close relationship between Gekkonidae and Amphisbaenia as revealed in a recent study based on complete mt genomes from a smaller number of taxa. Intra- and intergeneric sequence comparisons of six commonly used marker genes showed rather high levels of divergence within the Lacertidae. In the intrageneric comparison the control region proved to be considerably more conserved than the protein coding genes.

×

The reproduction cycle of male Kulzer`s Rock Lizard, Phoenicolacerta kulzeri, was studied in a mountain population living at 2000 m a.s.l. on Mount Sannine, Lebanon. Males showed active spermiogenesis in spring, following the renewal of the post hibernation activity, and in autumn, from September until they enter into hibernation in November. About 40% of males exhibited a short testicular regression period during the hottest months, in July and August. Relative testicular volume was correlated with male body size and varied seasonally. Males of P. kulzeri showed a more distinct reproductive pattern than the common reproductive pattern of most lacertid lizards in the Mediterranean region.

×

The two endangered Lebanese lacertid lizards Phoencilacerta kulzeri and Parvilacerta fraasii are sympatric with the skink Trachylepis vittata in regions of high altitude, between 1900 and 2100m. Field studies were conducted on their habitat use, microhabitat preferences and diet. The results show habitat differences between the three species in terms of physical structure and types of vegetation associated with these habitats. P. kulzeri is mostly scansorial in rocky habitats while T. vittata and P. fraasi are mostly ground-dwelling. The habitats of P. kulzeri is more fragmented than that of the other two species. Trachylepis vittata, which is slightly larger than the two lacertids, tends to eat larger prey but the diet of P. kulzeri is the least diverse. The lacertids continue to be active as long as the weather permits, sometimes until late November but T. vittata virtually disappears as of early October.

×

Aim: Deserts are generally perceived as areas of low diversity, and hence receive little attention from researchers and conservationists. Squamates are the dominant group of vertebrates in arid regions, and as such represent an ideal model to study biodiversity patterns in these areas. We examine spatial patterns of diversity, evolutionary history and endemism of terrestrial squamates of the Arabian Peninsula and test hypotheses on the role of topography and history of isolation so as to identify possible environmental drivers of diversification. Location: The Arabian Peninsula. Taxon: Squamate reptiles (Squamata; lizards and snakes). Methods: We generated distribution maps for all Arabian squamate species (including yet undescribed) and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using existing and newly produced genetic data for nearly all the species. We assessed patterns of the distribution of species richness, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic en demism across the peninsula to identify areas that could be considered evolutionary or endemicity hotspots for squamates. We evaluated community turnover across the peninsula and assessed the possible environmental drivers affecting the diversity of Arabian squamates in a regression framework. Results: The main hotspots of Arabian squamate diversity are mostly along the mountains that rim the peninsula while the most arid, central regions support a low diversity of species. The distribution of the phylogenetic diversity mirrors that of the species richness. Phylogenetic endemism is also highest in the mountains, especially when only endemic species are analysed. The deserts of northern Arabia are poor in terms of species richness and they show low connectivity to the peninsular communities. Topographic heterogeneity is the strongest predictor for Arabian squamates, followed by elevation. There is no correlation between richness and temperature. Main conclusions: The mountains of Arabia support rich and unique squamate communities that are dominated by local radiations of closely related and narrow-ranging species. In particular, the Asir Mountains of SW Arabia, Dhofar Province of Oman and the Hajar Mountains of northern Oman and UAE show unprecedented levels of squamate endemism and phylogenetic endemism. While many generalist species range across Arabia, a low number of species is shared between the peninsula and mainland Asia, indicating an effective isolation of the Arabian fauna. Squamate richness is highest in heterogeneous, topographically complex habitats.