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A total number of 70 herpetofaunistic species organised in 3 orders and 18 families were surveyed during a period of two years (2005– 2007) in southern Jordan. The orders are (1) Ophidia has 7 families: Leptotyphlopidae (1 species), Typhlopidae (2 species), Boidae (1 species), Colubdridae (17 species), Atractaspididae (1 species), Elapidae (1 species) and Viperidae (5 species). (2) Sauria has 7 families: Gekkonidae (12 species), Chamaeleonidae (1 species), Agamidae (8 species), Lacertidae (3 species), Sincidae (8 species), Anguidae (1 species), Varanidae (1 species). (3) Testudines has 4 families: Cheloniidae (2 species), Dermochetylidae (1 species), Emydidae (1 species) and Testudinidae (1 species). The species listed were all resident and were mostly found throughout the year. The diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the study area encouraged the occurrence of the species. The results reinforce the necessity of longterm inventory plannings in order to understand the ecology and the dynamics of herpetofaunistic and other wildlife communities in the study area. The over-increasing of human impact on the existing natural resources in the southern Jordan has threatened the ecology diversity of wildlife species, where the populations of some herpetofaunaistic species (especially frog species) and many reptilian species are declining in diversity status and abundance. The author recommend at the end the improving cooperation of different parties to enhance the public awareness and to implement environmental laws and legislation to conserve the sensitive and rare species of herpetofauna components.

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A total of 70 herpetofauna species from 3 Orders and 18 Families were surveyed during a period of two years (2005-2007) in Southern Jordan. The Ophidia included Leptotyphlopidae, Typhlopidae, Boidae, Colubdridae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae and Viperidae. The Sauria included Gekkonidae, Chamaeleonidae, Agamidae, Lacertidae, Sincidae, Anguidae and Varanidae. Testudines included Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae, Emydidae and Testudinidae. The species listed were all resident and mostly found throughout the year. The diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the study area likely encouraged species presence. The results reinforce the necessity for long-term inventory planning in order to understand the ecology and the dynamics of herpetofauna and other wildlife communities in the study area. The increasing human impact on the existing natural resources in Southern Jordan has threatened the ecology and diversity of wildlife species to such a degree that populations of anurans and many reptiles are declining in diversity, status and abundance. The author recommends improving cooperation of different parties to enhance public awareness and to implement environmental laws and legislation to conserve sensitive and rare species of herpetofauna.

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Algyroides fitzingeri, Algyroides marchi, Algyroides moreoticus, Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta lepida, Lacerta princeps, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta andreanszkyi, Lacerta armeniaca, Lacerta bedriagae, Lacerta brandtii, Lacerta cappadocica, Lacerta caucasica, Lacerta chlorogaster, Lacerta cyanura, Lacerta danfordi, Lacerta derjugini, Lacerta dugesii, Lacerta fraasii, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta horvathi, Lacerta jayakari, Lacerta laevis, Lacerta monticola, Lacerta mosorensis, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta parva, Lacerta perspicillata, Lacerta praticola, Lacerta rudis, Lacerta saxicola, Lacerta vivipara, Gallotia atlantica, Gallotia galloti, Gallotia simonyi, Podarcis erhardii, Podarcis filfolensis, Podarcis hispanica, Podarcis lilfordi, Podarcis melisellensis, Podarcis milensis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis pityusensis, Podarcis sicula, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis tiliguerta, Podarcis wagleriana, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus blanci, Psammodromus hispanicus, Psammodromus microdactylus.

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The basic anatomy of the lacertid hemipenis (intromittent organ) and methods for its investigation are described. In many members of the Lacertidae, the hemipenis has a structure quite unlike that of other squamate reptiles: the distal lobes of the retracted organ are complexly folded and there is a well-defined supporting structure of dense connective tissue, the armature. This incorporates blood sinuses and has an intramuscular portion embedded in the m. retractor penis magnus and two club-shaped bodies, the clavulae, that support the lobes in the erect organ. Unarmatured hemipenes occur in some lacertids and, like those of other squamates, possess sac-like lobes in the retracted state, but they are singular in having the lobes invested by the m. retractor penis magnus. It is argued that many of these apparently primitive hemipenes are in fact secondary derivatives of the armatured type. There is considerable inter-specific variation in hemipenial structure which is described systematically. In some cases this involves differences in size, asymmetry and simplification, which may arise as physical isolating mechanisms and is useful in distinguishing otherwise very similar species, particularly in the genus Mesalina (p. 1253). Other shared derived hemipenial features provide useful information about relationships between species and higher taxa and a summary of the hypotheses that they support is given (p. 1254).

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Estimates of phylogeny may allow historical events to be reconstructed even without a fossil record. The reliability of such interpretations depends not only on the robustness of the phylogeny but also on its topology. Changes in individual features can be traced and general histories of groups developed and compared with each other. Results are ofter surprising, for Instance the sophisticated tail shedding mechanism of lizards turns out to be a primitive feature that has been lost many times. Similarly, ecological analogues may have developed their common characaters in quite different orders. Phylogenies also provide a way of recognizing constraints and the effects of history on present ecological and behavioural patterns. When using anatomical characters the quality of the apparent phylogenies produced may be related to ecological history: expansion of a group along an ecological continuum into increasingly demanding niches ina small geographical area tends to produce a robust phylogeny (for instance in Meroles), while this is often not so for widely distributed groups that occupy a more modest range of niches (such as Pedioplanis and Podarcis). Non-morphological data may not show this tendency, but can have their own problems. Lacertids can be referred to clade with many successive branches in Africa and the Saharo-Eurasian arid zones and a less resolved probably paraphyletic complex of more primitive forms in the Mediterranean and wider Palaearctic areas. The African-Eurasian clade shows a general trend towards ground-dwelling and increasingly arid habitats but is ecologically variied. These animals are important to the study of Mediterranean forms because they provide eco-morphological parallels to them (for instance to Algyroides, Psammodromus and the archaeolacertas) and help form a basis for testing hypotheses about function. Although it is possible to recognise a number of distinct clades among the Mediterranean and Eurasian forms, relationships within and between these are often much less well substantiated. If results are available in time, current work on mitochondrial DNA sequencing will be discussed.

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Differences in surface structure (ober- hautchen) of body scales of lacertid lizards involve cell size, shape and surface profile, presence or absence of fine pitting, form of cell margins, and the occurrence of longitudinal ridges and pustular projections. Phylogenetic information indicates that the primitive pattern involved narrow strap-shaped cells, with low posteriorly overlapping edges and relatively smooth surfaces. Deviations from this condition produce a more sculptured surface and have developed many times, although subsequent overt reversals are uncommon. Like variations in scale shape, different patterns of dorsal body microornamentation appear to confer different and conflicting performance advantages. The primitive pattern may reduce friction during locomotion and also enhances dirt shedding, especially in ground-dwelling forms from moist habitats. However, this smooth microornamentation generates shine that may compromise cryptic coloration, especially when scales are large. Many derived features show correlation with such large scales and appear to suppress shine. They occur most frequently in forms from dry habitats or forms that climb in vegetation away from the ground, situations where dirt adhesion is less of a problem. Microornamentation differences involving other parts of the body and other squamate groups tend to corroborate this functional interpretation. Microornamentation features can develop on lineages in different orders and appear to act additively in reducing shine. In some cases different combinations may be optimal solutions in particular environments, but lineage effects, such as limited reversibility and different developmental proclivities, may also be important in their genesis. The fine pits often found on cell surfaces are unconnected with shine reduction, as they are smaller than the wavelengths of most visible light.

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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.

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Es gibt sicherlich verschiedene Möglichkeiten, im Terrarium gehaltene Eidechsen zu überwintern. Der eine schwört auf seinen Keller, der andere auf eine laubgefüllte Grube in seinem Garten. Nun, wem beides nicht zur Verfügung steht, dem kann auch ein Kühlschrank ganz ausgezeichnete Dienste leisten. Freilich ist nicht gemeint, die Eidechsen frei zwischen Wurst und Käse zu betten, vielmehr bedarf es einiger Vorbereitungen. Im wesentlichen stellen sich zur Überwinterung von Eidechsen 4 Fragen: 1. wen? 2. wann? 3. wie? Und 4. wie lange? Auf diese 4 Fragen soll im in diesem Bericht eine Antwort gegeben werden.

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Es gibt sicherlich verschiedene Möglichkeiten, im Terrarium gehaltene Eidechsen zu überwintern. Der eine schwört auf seinen Keller, der andere auf eine laubgefüllte Grube in seinem Garten. Nun, wem beides nicht zur Verfügung steht, dem kann auch ein Kühlschrank ganz ausgezeichnete Dienste leisten. Freilich ist nicht gemeint, die Eidechsen frei zwischen Wurst und Käse zu betten, vielmehr bedarf es einiger Vorbereitungen. Im wesentlichen stellen sich zur Überwinterung von Eidechsen 4 Fragen: 1. wen? 2. wann? 3. wie? Und 4. wie lange? Auf diese 4 Fragen soll im in diesem Bericht eine Antwort gegeben werden.

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The longevity of several lacertid lizard species in captivity is reported. The conditions of keeping, which have been successful throughout many years, are briefly presented.

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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.

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In the years 2010 and 2014, fifty-four samples of Phoenicolacerta laevis from eight localities in Adana (n=6) and Hatay (n=48) were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a results of present study, three species of Digenea, Sonsinotrema tacapense, Prosthodendrium chilostomum, Brachylaima sp. (metacercaria); two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides sp. and four species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Thubunaea sp. and a larva of the Ascaridiidae Ascarididae gen. sp. were reported for lizard samples. We document new host records for all of helminth species reported here. Sonsionotrema tacapense (Digenea), and Thubunaea sp. (Nematoda) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. There are, to our knowledge, no reports of helminths for P. laevis in Turkey and also from its range.

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The distrubution of Lacerta laevis, especially in Turkey is described. Turkish specimens from the southern part of its range tend to show a red ventral colour, in comparison with animals from the northern parts of the Turkish distribution area. These are often characterized by green to greenish-blue throats. Eventually this may point to infraspecific variability. In southern Turkey Lacerta laevis is restricted to moist and semi-shady habitats and shows a discontinous distribution within its range. In this report some of the Turkish habitats are described.

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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.

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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.

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Under uniform laboratory conditions, wild-caught Lacerta laevis laevis Gray (Reptilia: Sauria) that had originated from a warmer environment appeared to live longer than those that had originated from a cooler environment (in both groups, males appeared to live longer than females). In this first discussion of potential factors of longevity in Lacertidae, this observation is considered in relation to literature data from two aspects: (a) direct temperature effects on physiological longevity of ectotherms, especially fish; (b) climatic effects on demography and age structure of lizard populations in the wild.

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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.

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The interspecific relationships among female size, clutch size, egg size, and hatchling size were examined for 64 European lacertids. The eggs of all species increased linearly in both linear dimensions and mass during incubation. Across species initial egg mass was positively correlated with juvenile mass, with an allometric relationship exponent of 0.87. Initial egg mass across species increased proportionally with female mass to the power of 0.57. Moreover, an increase in maternal mass was also accompanied by an increase in clutch size. The number of eggs per clutch across species scaled with female mass to the power of 0.39. Removing the effect of female mass resulted in a negative correlation between egg mass and clutch size. Species for which the average egg size was lower than expected on the basis of female mass, tended to have larger relative clutch size. The total egg mass per clutch was about one third of female mass (exponent 0.94).

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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.

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Oriental Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) is a threatened tree species restricted to Rhodes Island (Greece) and southern Anatolia (Turkey), best known for its rare riparian forests. These small patches of forests are severely fragmented and scattered, and are rarely found in southwestern Turkey. Based on field sampling and data compilation, we performed an assessment of the herpetofauna in these forests in southwestern Turkey during the spring of 2019 and 2021. Sampling was carried out using a line-transect method in 13 forests with various habitats, resulting in data at the community and population levels. Sixteen families, including 26 amphibian and reptile species (four anurans, four turtles, nine lizards, and nine snakes), were recorded from these unique forests, based on 1440 individuals. Twenty-two species were recorded for the first time from these forests; in addition, Emys orbicularis and Elaphe sauromates were recorded for the first time from the region. Richness in the forest patches, habitat use by the recorded species, and interspecific interactions are discussed to explain the conspicuous patterns observed in the species distributions. The unique distribution pattern of Phoenicolacerta laevis among the existing forest patches represents the most prominent finding, with implications for a recent introduction. The fossorial species Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Blanus strauchi, and Eryx jaculus are unlikely to occur in the Oriental Sweetgum forest due to annual flooding. The data obtained during this study will be transferred to the Oriental Sweetgum forest conservation action plan (2019–2024) as part of the biodiversity monitoring tools for use in the long-term conservation of these forests.

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In May 2010 in Içmeler a viable population of the Syrian lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis) could be confirmed. In the nearby village of Marmaris the author found a female P. laevis. This is the first time that this lizard species is reported from the Lycian coast in Western Turkey.

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The author describes his herpetological observations in the surroundings of Maramis (and Icmeler) in Turkey in May 2010. Several species were found; Pseudepidalea viridian, Pelophylax ridibundus, Testudo graeca ibera, Mauremys rivulet, Chamaeleo chameleon, Anatololacerta oerzeni palasgiana, Hemidactylus turcicus, Trachylepis auratus, Pseodopus apodus, Typhlops vermicularis, Eirenis modestum, Platyceps najadum.
The author also highlights the discovery of a new lizard species for this area. One phoenicolacerta laevis (female) was seen near the beach of Marmaris. Sixteen other individuals were found in the nearby town of Icmeler. This was the first time that this opportunistic species was found in western Turkey.

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The authors were in Side (Turkey) during a field trip in May 2009 where they studied the Hatay or Syrian lizard (Phoenicolacerta leavis). The present known westernmost border of its natural distribution is in Hatay. This is about 200 km east of Side (Bischoff & Franzen, 1993). Ph. laevis, which most likely is an introduced species, was found on locations already described by Troidl & Troidl (2008a & b). These authors found the lizards in hotel-garden habitats in the western part of Side and in Manavgat. In this paper the presence of this species is confirmed near the centre of Side and the dispersal to the east, in the direction of Titreyen-Göl (Manavgat). The authors are convinced that this is an indication that the Side and Manavgat populations are in fact connected. This needs further confirmation though. About 3 km off the coastline in Side Ph. laevis was found for the first time too. There they inhabit hotel-garden walls. One of the authors ( JB) saw the lizard in Side in 2003 but was then it was not recognized as Ph. laevis. It is suggested that this lizard species arrived in this area some years before 2003. The present field studies indicate that Ph. laevis benefits from the lack of competition by other Lacertidae (Anatololacerta danfordi/ A. oertzeni). This gives Ph. laevis the chance to conquer suitable habitats and niches where it is now very abundant, thus successful. Other reptile species which are living sympatric with Ph. laevis were Laudakia stellio daani and Chalcides ocellatus. Information is given on possible predation by cats and bird species. Also morph metric measurements and colour-pattern features of Phoenicolacerta laevis from the Side region were compared. Finally the internal and external parasites (Mites, possibly Ophionyssus natricis, and Nematodes, possibly Oxyurus) are briefly discussed.

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The sixty-seven specimens collected from the north of Girne-Begparmak Mountain Range on the island of Cyprus and the specimens of Lacertalaevislaevisfrom Anatolia, which have been studied by Budak (1). are examined comparatively for taxonomical features, and the description of the race from Cyprus Island is reviewed. In conclusion, the subspecies of L. I.troodica, which have been described by Werner (2) based on a total of 6 specimens. can not be distinguished from the continental specimens with the diagnostic features given. In distinguishing the two races, we present two different and new characteristics which may point to a difference in species level. The following taxonomic key is proposed for diagnosis: 1. Median gularia number is high (average 25), the scales of gular region very small; parallell `subocular bands` extend below the temporal bands, and below these an orange-red region is present ...........L. I.troodica. - Median gularia number is less (average 20). gular scales larger: the subocular lines below the temporal bands extend up to the mid-trunk level .......... L. I.laevis.

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Life-history traits (e.g. body size, sexual size dimorphism and age) of a Turkish population of the Lebanon lizard Phoenicolacerta laevis were studied using skeletochronology techniques. We measured phalangeal bones (n = 30). The mean snout-vent length (SVL) was slightly different between the sexes. We recorded weakly expressed sexual size dimorphism: the snout-vent-length of the males was slightly bigger (SDI = -0.01). Sexual maturity was attained between the second and the fourth year of life in both sexes. The age ranged from 3 to 11 years in females and from 3 to 12 years in males. The mean SVL was 65.33 ± 3.06 mm in females and 66.59± 3.76 mm in males. The mean age was 6.67 ± 2.63 years in females and 6.47 ± 2.75 years in males. There was no statistically significant difference in mean age between the sexes.

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Twenty-one species of reptiles and amphibians belonging to nine families were recorded in this survey. These species included one amphibian, one tortoise, 12 lizards, and seven snakes. The present study is the fi rst attempt to compare between opportunistic and systematic survey methods in Jordan for reptiles and amphibians. The opportunistic survey is the method of choice when conducting a survey to assess the presence or absence of reptilian species regardless of their abundance. On the other hand, the systematic survey proved to be an excellent method to evaluate the abundance of species, expressed in the total number of observations. Ophisops elegans was by far the most frequently observed species and accounted for 28.94 % and 61.03 % of all observations when employing opportunistic and systematic surveys respectively. Additionally, this lizard was found in all types of habitats studied within the reserve.

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Comparative analyses were carried out about the variability of the pileal shields of different species belonging to the family Lacertidae. The results of the comparisons have been evaluated in respect to the phylogenetical relationships existing between the different genera and species of the family.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Herpetological and other interesting observations in Turkey -- The authors made some observations on reptiles, amphibians and arthropods during a trip in May 2004, near Kiris. Close to the coast there are a lot of developments aimed at tourism, like the construction of luxury hotels. However within walking-distance there are still more natural areas to be found, for instance mountainous areas with pine-forests and shrubs. Observations were made in the hills near Kiris, at de mountains near Kuzdere, at Olympos, Chimaera, Myra and Phaselis. Spring proved to be a good time to look for animals. In the annexed table can be seen which animals were observed at which location.

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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.

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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.

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A photographic evidence of Phoenicolacerta laevis inAnaklia, Georgia.

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Climatic conditions changing over time and space shape the evolution of organisms at multiple levels, including temperate lizards in the family Lacertidae. Here we reconstruct a dated phylogenetic tree of 262 lacertid species based on a supermatrix relying on novel phylogenomic datasets and fossil calibrations. Diversification of lacertids was accompanied by an increasing disparity among occupied bioclimatic niches, especially in the last 10 Ma, during a period of progressive global cooling. Temperate species also underwent a genome- wide slowdown in molecular substitution rates compared to tropical and desert-adapted lacertids. Evaporative water loss and preferred temperature are correlated with bioclimatic parameters, indicating physiological adaptations to climate. Tropical, but also some popu- lations of cool-adapted species experience maximum temperatures close to their preferred temperatures. We hypothesize these species-specific physiological preferences may con- stitute a handicap to prevail under rapid global warming, and contribute to explaining local lizard extinctions in cool and humid climates.

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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.

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DNA sequences from parts of the 12S, 16S and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes, which totalled 1049 aligned base pairs, were used to estimate the relationships of 49 species of Lacertidae, including representatives of 19 out of the 23 recognized genera and 23 species of the paraphyletic genus Lacerta. These data were used, together with morphological information, to estimate the relationships within the family. Molecular evidence corroborates the monophyletic status of many genera and species groups originally based on morphology. It indicates that Psammodromus forms a clade with Gallotia, which is the sister taxon of all other lacertids. These comprise three units: the primarily Afrotropical armatured group; the largely Oriental Takydromus; and the west Palaearctic Lacerta and its derivatives, Podarcis and Algyroides. Morphology also supports the first three assemblages, but suggests that they are derived from a paraphyletic Lacerta. Within Lacerta and its allies, DNA sequence analysis corroborates the affinity of some members of each of the subgenera Lacerta s. str. and Timon, and of the L. saxicola group. It also supports the relationship of L. monticola, L. bonnali and L. horvathi, and suggests that the L. parva–L. fraasi clade and L. brandti are not related to Psammodromus–Gallotia, as morphology indicates, but instead are associated respectively with the L. danfordi and L. saxicola groups. DNA sequence data provide additional evidence that the eastern Arabian `Lacerta` jayakari and `L.` cyanura are members of the armatured clade and also sister species. Our analysis supports an origin for present lacertids in west Eurasia. The armatured clade invaded Africa, probably in the mid-Miocene, spreading widely and evolving increasingly xeric-adapted forms, one lineage of which later moved back into the Palaearctic. `Lacerta` jayakari and `L.` cyanura are assigned to Omanosaura, Lutz and Mayer 1986. The name Gallotiinae Cano, Baez, Lopez-Jurado and Ortega, 1984 is available for the Gallotia–Psammodromus clade, Eremiainae Shcherbak 1975 for the armatured clade and Lacertinae for Lacerta, Podarcis and Algyroides. Two new subgenera of Lacerta are proposed here: Caucasilacerta for L. saxicola and its allies, and Parvilacerta for L. parva and L. fraasi.

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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.

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Background: Although current molecular clock methods offer greater flexibility in modelling evolutionary events, calibration of the clock with dates from the fossil record is still problematic for many groups. Here we implement several new approaches in molecular dating to estimate the evolutionary ages of Lacertidae, an Old World family of lizards with a poor fossil record and uncertain phylogeny. Four different models of rate variation are tested in a new program for Bayesian phylogenetic analysis called TreeTime, based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. We incorporate paleontological uncertainty into divergence estimates by expressing multiple calibration dates as a range of probabilistic distributions. We also test the reliability of our proposed calibrations by exploring effects of individual priors on posterior estimates. Results: According to the most reliable model, as indicated by Bayes factor comparison, modern lacertids arose shortly after the K/T transition and entered Africa about 45 million years ago, with the majority of their African radiation occurring in the Eocene and Oligocene. Our findings indicate much earlier origins for these clades than previously reported, and we discuss our results in light of paleogeographic trends during the Cenozoic. Conclusion: This study represents the first attempt to estimate evolutionary ages of a specific group of reptiles exhibiting uncertain phylogenetic relationships, molecular rate variation and a poor fossil record. Our results emphasize the sensitivity of molecular divergence dates to fossil calibrations, and support the use of combined molecular data sets and multiple, well-spaced dates from the fossil record as minimum node constraints. The bioinformatics program used here, TreeTime, is publicly available, and we recommend its use for molecular dating of taxa faced with similar challenges.

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L`étude histologique du tractus urogénital des mâles de Lacerta laevis à haute altitude nous a permis de mettre en évidence les caractères suivants: - Les animaux sont adultes après leur première hibernation, soit à l`âge de 8-10 mois. - L`hibernation dure environ 4 à 5 mois. - Tous les mâles sont au repos sexuel pour une courte durée durant les mois les plus chauds de l`année, à partir de la deuxième quinzaine de juillet jusqu`à la fin du mois d`août. - La spermiogenèse est très active en automne, depuis le début d`octobre jusqu`à l`entrée en hibernation, et au printemps après la sortie de l`hibernation. Elle se ralentit en juin et s`arrête à la fin de la première quinzaine de juillet. - Les caractères sexuels secondaires (épididyme et segment, sexuel du rein) sont développés en automne et au printemps, et présentent une activité secrétoire. Ils sont en régression en été pour une courte durée.

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Le cycle sexuel des femelles de Lacerta laevis à 1800 m d`alt. (Mont-Liban) à été étudié chez 82 specimens adultes. La longueur du corps, mesurée de l`extrémité du museau à la fente cloacale varie entre 55 et 75 mm. 3 à 4 pontes ont été observées pendant la saison de reproduction. Les femelles sortent de l`hibernation en mars. La vitellogenèse commence au début de novembre, mais les accouplements ont lieu au printemps, une ou deux semaines avant chacune des ovulations successives. Le nombre d`oeufs varie entre 4 et 8. Les jeunes nouvellement éclos ont été observés vers le début de juillet.

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Le cycle de reproduction des femelles de Lacerta Laevis de plaine (Jounieh) a ete etudie chez 80 femelles adultes. Des follicules en vitellogenese sont observes des le debut de decembre. Les premieres femelles gravides sont observees des le debut du mois de mars et les dernieres le 13 aout. Certains individus peuvent fournir 4 pontes successives. Le nombre d` oeufs par ponte varie entre 3 et 8. Les premiers jeunes eclos sont observes a partir du debut de Juin. Un accouplement est necessaire avant chaque ovulation.

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Une étude comparative du cycle sexuel de deux populations d`un Lacertidae du Liban, Lacerta laevis vivant l`une en montagne, l`autre sur la côte montre: La spermiogenèse devient très active à partir de la deuxième quinzaine d`octobre pour la population de la côte. Elle apparait 2 à 4 semaines plus tard que dans la population de la montagne. Elle dure 2 à 4 semaines de plus. L`involution des tubes séminifères se fait dès le début d`août pour la population côtière, 2 à 4 semaines plus tard que pour la population de la montagne. L`hypertrophie des caractères sexuels secondaires de la population côtière s`étend du 15 novembre jusqu`à la fin de juillet. Elle apparait 2 semaines après celle de la montagne et reste 1 mois de plus.

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Some important differences were observed in the reproductive cycles, which are seasonal and are O the mixed type, in the two sympatric lizards Lacerta media and L. laevis. In Lacerta media, spermatocytogenesis begins at the end of summer. Spermiogenesis and mating occur in spring, after ibernation, which lasts four to five montns. Secondary sexual characters (epididymis and sexual segment of kidney) also develop in spring. A period of sexual inactivity is observed during the warmest months of the year uly and August). In Lacerta laevis, males undergo a period of sexual inactivity from mid-July to end- August. Spermiogenesis is very active in the autumn from the beginning of October, start of ibernation, and in the spring following post-hibernation activity. Secondary sexual characters showing secretory activity are well developed in both autumn and spring. Mating occurs in spring.

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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.

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During field work in western Anatolia, 4 specimens (one adult male, two subadult males and one subadult female) of Phoenicolacerta laevis from Dalaman, Muğla province were collected in November 2014. The results including meristic pholidolial, metric measurements and color-pattern features of specimens are compared with the data given in the previous literature. The occurrence of P. laevis in southern and western Anatolia is discussed.

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A new locality record for the Hatay Lizard Phoenicolacerta laevis from Özdere (Menderes, İzmir) is presented based on our fieldwork in coastal Aegean Sea Region in July 2013. Our record is north westernmost locality and represents a considerable range extension for both species and genus, around 165 km air distances to the northwest from nearest known locality (Marmaris, Muğla).

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Agriculture poses a threat upon wildlife worldwide and particularly to reptiles. However, the effects of many crop types on reptile diversity remain unknown. In this field study, we examined the local effects of two understudied common crop types in Mediterranean regions, intensively cultivated vineyards and intensified-traditional olive plantations, on reptile diversity patterns. We compared measurements of diversity among an array of study plots representing each crop as well as plots in adjacent patches of natural habitat. We developed a new index, the Average Specialization Index, in order to compare the degree of habitat-specialization of the species in the different habitats. Among the habitat types examined, the natural patches were the most structurally heterogeneous and contained the greatest species richness and diversity. In contrast, the intensive vineyards were structurally homogeneous and were uninhabitable areas for reptiles. The more-traditionally cultivated olive plantations were intermediately heterogeneous and provided a unique habitat occupied by a community with a high proportion of reptile species considered to be habitat specialists. Despite showing high abundance and eveness, the reptile community within the olive plantations still contained a lower species richness and diversity compared to natural patches. In light of our results, we recommend implementing a more wildlife-friendly management strategy in landscapes converted to agricultural cultivation.

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An overview of the cases of introduction (both accidental and intentional) of amphibians and reptiles in the Caucasus and Crimea is provided. The introduction cases are systemized in accordance with the goals and ways of introduction and with regards to the expected scale of the impact and its nature. No negative consequences of the introduction of amphibian and reptile species in the Crimea and Caucasus are currently observed on any of the known examples. No cases of species naturalization, which the “invasion” term can be applied to, have been revealed. The importance of allochthonous populations as experimental sites to study microevolutionary processes and ecological adaptations of the species in new environmental conditions is discussed.

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Turkey is biogeographically diverse and consequently has a rich herpetofauna. As a result of active herpetological research, the number of species has steadily increased in recent years. I present here a new checklist of amphibian and reptile species distributed in Turkey, revising the nomenclature to reflect the latest taxonomic knowledge. In addition, information about the systematics of many species is also given. In total 35 (19.4%) amphibian and 145 (80.6%) reptile species comprise the Turkish herpetofauna. Among amphibians, 16 (45.7%) anurans and 19 urodelans (54.3%) are present. Among reptiles, 11 (7.6%) testudines, 71 (49%) saurians, 3 (2.1%) amphisbaenians and 60 (41.3%) ophidians are considered part of the herpetofauna. The endemism rate in Turkey is considered relatively high with a total of 34 species (12 amphibian species – 34.3% and 22 reptile species – 15.2%) endemic to Turkey, yielding a total herpetofaunal endemism of 18.9%. While 38 species have not been threat-assessed by the IUCN, 92 of the 180 Turkish herpetofaunal species are of Least Concern (LC), 13 are Near Threatened (NT), 10 are Vulnerable (VU), 14 are Endangered (EN), and 7 are Critically Endangered (CR). In addition, 6 species are in the DD (Data Deficient) category.

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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.

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NOTES ON LACERTA LAEVIS I.:acerta laevis was observed on Cyprus in the last week of March. It was found from sea-level up to 1200 m altitude. In midsummer tempera- tures on the island force the lizards afsea-level to aestivate, which might explain why L /aevis was considered erroneously to be strictly a mountain-species by some authors. The lizards show a seasonal vertical change in habitat prefe- rence: in warmer regions they live near water, or places were recently has been water. It seemes to live in colonies. In colder times, the species was found in pairs and a definite preference for water was not so clear. The lizards were obser- ved basking only in colder regions. Individuals of Lacerta laevis from Jerusalem. Israel, were kept in captivity. One part of the lizards were kept in a frost-proof greenhouse during winter and in an outdoor terrarium during the rest of the year. One female laid eight eggs, which hatched in 50 days at 29 ·c. The juveniles were born the 4th of September. Kept at 20-25 ·cat day and 10-18 ·cat night, and fed waxmoth-caterpillars and locusts, they were halfgrown at the beginning of December and fullgrown mid-Februari. In an indoor terrarium, a male and several fema- les were housed. Here they were hibernated at 10 ·c for three months. At the start of March, temperature and daylength were increased; ma- ting started mid-March, egglaying mid-April. In this terrarium many eggs were unfertilized. mannetje zodanig, dat deze zich ging Males of smaller Podarcis-species dominate those of L laevis when kept together.

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The family Lacertidae encompasses more than 250 species distributed in the Palearctis, Ethiopis and Orientalis. Lacertids have been subjected in the past to several morphological and molecular studies to establish their phylogeny. However, the problems of convergent adaptation in morphology and of excessively variable molecular markers have hampered the establishment of well supported deeper phylogenetic relationships. Particularly the adaptations to xeric environments have often been used to establish a scenario for the origin and radiation of major lineages within lacertids. Here we present a molecular phylogenetic study based on two nuclear marker genes and representatives of 37 lacertid genera and distinct species groups (as in the case of the collective genus Lacerta). Roughly 1600 bp of the nuclear rag1 and c-mos genes were sequenced and analyzed. While the results provide good support to the hitherto suggested main subfamilies of Gallotiinae (Gallotia and Psammodromus), Eremiainae and Lacertinae [Harris, D.J., Arnold, E.N., Thomas, R.H., 1998. Relationships of lacertid lizards (Reptilia: Lacertidae) estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphology. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 265, 1939–1948], they also suggest unexpected relationships. In particular, the oriental genus Takydromus, previously considered the sister-group to the three subfamilies, is nested within Lacertinae. Moreover, the genera within the Eremiainae are further divided into two groups, roughly corresponding to their respective geographical distributions in the Ethiopian and the Saharo-Eurasian ranges. The results support an independent origin of adaptations to xeric conditions in different subfamilies. The relationships within the subfamily Lacertinae could not be resolved with the markers used. The species groups of the collective genus Lacerta show a bush-like topology in the inferred Bayesian tree, suggesting rapid radiation. The composition of the subfamilies Eremiainae and Lacertinae as well as their phylogeography are discussed.

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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.

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Aim Temperature influences most components of animal ecology and life history – but what kind of temperature? Physiologists usually examine the influence of body temperatures, while biogeographers and macroecologists tend to focus on environmental temperatures. We aim to examine the relationship between these two measures, to determine the factors that affect lizard body temperatures and to test the effect of both temperature measures on lizard life history. Location World-wide. Methods We used a large (861 species) global dataset of lizard body temperatures, and the mean annual temperatures across their geographic ranges to examine the relationships between body and mean annual temperatures.We then examined factors influencing body temperatures, and tested for the influence of both on ecological and life-history traits while accounting for the influence of shared ancestry. Results Body temperatures and mean annual temperatures are uncorrelated. However, accounting for activity time (nocturnal species have low body temperatures), use of space (fossorial and semi-aquatic species are ‘colder’), insularity (mainland species are ‘hotter’) and phylogeny, the two temperatures are positively correlated. High body temperatures are only associated with larger hatchlings and increased rates of biomass production. Annual temperatures are positively correlated with clutch frequency and annual longevity, and negatively correlated with clutch size, age at first reproduction and longevity. Main conclusions Lizards with low body temperatures do not seem to have ‘slower’ life-history attributes than species with high body temperatures. The longer seasons prevalent in warm regions, and physiological processes that operate while lizards are inactive (but warm enough), make environmental temperatures better predictors of lizard life-history variation than body temperatures. This surprisingly greater effect of environmental temperatures on lizard life histories hints that global warming may have a profound influence on lizard ecology and evolution.

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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.

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This study aimed to check the erythrocyte and nucleus sizes of six species of reptiles, one species of Agamidae (Laudakia stellio), one species of Testudinidae (Testudo graeca), one species of Chamaeleonidae (Chamaeleo chamaeleon recticrista), and three species of Lacertidae (Ophisops elegans, Lacerta media, Phoenicolacerta laevis) from Coastal region in Syria using blood smears stained with Wright’s stain. The longest, widest and largest erythrocytes and the widest nuclei were found in T. graeca. The shortest and narrowest erythrocytes and nuclei were found in O. elegans. The longest, largest nuclei were found in C. chameleon. The shortest and narrowest nuclei were found in P. laevis.

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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.

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In this study, the feeding behaviours of the new hatched eggs which were laid to the terrarium by one of the 18 Lacerta laevis samples collected from Mersin (Findikpinari) were observed and the development of these eggs over 103 days period were investigated. In conclusion the number of the eggs laid by one of the lizards were six, the mean size of eggs were 8.03 x 12.25 mm. and the mean body length of the young, that were hatched after 47 days, was 77.77 mm. at the first day and was 89.14 mm. at the end of 56 th day.

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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.

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Many animals display complex colour patterns that comprise several adjacent, often contrasting colour patches. Combining patches of complementary colours increases the overall conspicuousness of the complex pattern, enhancing signal detection. Therefore, selection for conspicuousness may act not only on the design of single colour patches, but also on their combination. Contrasting long- and short-wavelength colour patches are located on the ventral and lateral surfaces of many lacertid lizards. As the combination of long- and short-wavelength-based colours generates local chromatic contrast, we hypothesized that selection may favour the co-occurrence of lateral and ventral contrasting patches, resulting in complex colour patterns that maximize the overall conspicuousness of the signal. To test this hypothesis we performed a comparative phylogenetic study using a categorical colour classification based on spectral data and descriptive information on lacertid coloration collected from the literature. Our results demonstrate that conspicuous ventral (long wavelength-based) and lateral (short wavelength-based) colour patches co-occur throughout the lacertid phylogeny more often than expected by chance, especially in the subfamily Lacertini. These results suggest that selection promotes the evolution of the complex pattern rather than the acquisition of a single conspicuous colour patch, possibly due to the increased conspicuousness caused by the combination of colours with contrasting spectral properties.

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Foraging strategy was observed in five species of Israeli lacertid lizards in the field. Acanthodactylus scutellatus is a sit-and-wait strategist, whereas A. boskianus, A. schreiberi, Lacerta laevis and Mesalina guttulata forage widely. However, the actual values differed from those reported by Huey and Pianka (1981) for Kalahari lacertids, possibly indicating the existence of a continuum of foraging modes. Foraging intensity (proportion of time spent moving or frequency of moves) is positively correlated to relative tail length, and negatively correlated to relative clutch mass. Additional possible correlates are discussed, and some cautionary remarks added.

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Fieldherpetological observations in Lebanon in December 2003 and June 2004 -- During December 2003 and June 2004 the author made herpetological observations in Lebanon, mainly in Deir al-Qarnar (altitude approx. 900 m) just southeast of Beirut. In December 2003 a few Lacerta laevis were observed in Deir al Qarnar and Beirut. In June 2004 it was the most abundant reptile spe cies in Deir al-Qamar. In this urban environment it inhabited wails, open ground, vegetation and sometimes even climbing trees. One male which was readily recognised by its regenerated tail, was observed on the terrace of a house, having a territory of 100-150 m2. On 11 June two males were seen fighting. One Ophisops elegans and one Mabuya vittata were recorded in Deir al-Qamar on 11 June. Laudakia stellio was only found during the summer visit. It proved abundant in Anjar but more scattered in ruins in Ba’albek. In the morning specimens were usually dark coloured, enabling them to ab sorb additional heat (fig. 5). Hyla savignyi was seen daily in the house where the author lived in Deir al-Qamnar, however, only during the summer visit. There was a population in the garden pond and 1-4 adults were always noticed on the papyrus plants during the day (fig. 6). They were active at night. One adult Salamandra infraimmaculata at approx. 20-21 cm total length was found dead on the road at Deir al-Qamar on 6 December (fig. 7). It had probably been killed by a predator.

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A survey on the vertebrates of Wadi Al-Quff Protected Area (WAQPA) was conducted as part of a management plan preparation. Nineteen mammal species were recorded and all but one (Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna listed as vulnerable species) are of “least concern” by the IUCN. The pipistelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus was a notable finding as its most southern range of distribution so far in Palestine. Three amphibians were recorded. Among 21 reptile species recorded, three species of geckos were noted including Kotschy`s Gecko, Mediodactylys (Cyrtodactylus) kotschyi, representing the southern-most record for this species. Other reptiles recorded include the starred agama Stellagama stellio (most common reptile in WAQPA), seven species of lizards, and seven species of snakes. The Spur-thighed Tortoise (Tesudo graeca) and Gunther’s Skink (Chalcides guntheri) are considered vulnerable species according to the IUCN Red List.

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In this study, it is aimed to determine the amphibians and reptiles species of Adana province. This study was conducted in September and October 2013 and February, March, May, April, and June 2014. As a results of the study, 4 anuran species belonging to three families, 2 urodelian species belonging to one family, 6 tortoise species belonging to five families, 16 lizards species belonging to 6 families, one worm lizard, 19 snakes species belonging to 4 families, with a total of 48 different species of amphibians and reptiles, showing distribution in Adana, were identified. However, the species of Neurergus strauchii, Pelobates syriacus, Anatololacerta pelasgiana, Darevskia valentini, Eirenis decemlineatus, E. eiselti, E. lineomaculatus, Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus, which were recorded in the literature previously, could not be found. With the field survey and literature records, 56 amphibian and reptile species belonging to 21 families were determined in Adana province. In addition, chorotype information of the species and distribution localities in Adana were given in detail.

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In this paper, the evolution and ecology of directional asymmetry (DA) during the developmental trajectory (DT) is compared with that of its product, morphological DA (MDA). DT and MDA are calculated for two bilateral morphological scale characters of lizards, the number of subdigital lamellae beneath the fourth toe in 10 agamid and 28 lacertid taxa, and the number of rows of ventral scales in 12 lacertid taxa. MDA, the subtraction between left and right sides (classical measure of DA), is functional in adult animals. Results confirm the hypodiesis that, in DT, the regression parameters a (constant) and b (regression slope) of counts on the right side with those on the left describe a developmental process. No phylogenetic or environmental effects were observed on a and b, but analyses considering both a and b together show non-random phyletic patterns. Independent analyses deduced the same ancestral DT in Agamidae and Lacertidae. In Lacertidae, distance between pairs of taxa in a + b (standardized values) correlates positively with die phylogenetic distance between taxa. Phyletic trends in MDA are indirect, and due to the link of MDA with a + b. The MDA of species is more dissimilar in sympatry than in allopatry. The phyletic trends suggest evolution of DT, while die association of MDA witii sympatry suggests that ecological pressures shape MDA in adult animals. Evolution of DT is independent from tiiat of its product, MDA–adaptive determinism defines the result of, but not the mechanistic process of, development. Deterministic environmental processes define MDA, and deterministic evolutionary processes define the interactive result of a and b, but not each separately. According to circumstances, different DTs produce similar or different MDA, and a particular DT can produce different MDAs.

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The Lebanon Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis) occurs on the Levantine coast and scattered populations are found in isolated coastal habitats along the southern and south-western coast of Turkey. We found an isolated but dense population of this species at and around the castle of Anaklia on Georgia’s Black Sea Coast, near the mouth of the river Enguri. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence suggests closeness of this population to the populations in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Içel in southern Turkey, rather than to those in Lebanon and Israel. It is thought that the species was introduced from a Turkish region to Anaklia, which was an important trade location at the eastern Black Sea coast until the late 18th century. This is the first established location of this species outside the eastern Mediterranean area. Climate and competition with rock lizards of the genus Darevskia are the most likely reasons preventing expansion of the species into the neighboring areas of Western Georgia.

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A total of 51 specimens of Lacerta laevis (25 ♂, 26 ♀) from the area of Mersin and Hatay (southern Anatolia) were investigated morphologically, and of these 24 specimens (12 ♂, 12 ♀) were analyzed from the viewpoint of their blood-serum proteins. The populations were found to show great intra- and interpopulation variation in their pattern and colour characteristics and in their serological analyses, while their morphometric characteristics were found to be similar. It is thus concluded that, for the present, it is not possible to separate them into different subspecies.

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The present study compares the blood serum proteins of populations of the Lacerta laevis complex from northern Cyprus and southern Turkey (Adana) by polyacrylamide-disc electrophoresis. There are discernible differences between the electropherograms of blood serum proteins of the two populations. In the light of these differences, it would be appropriate to accept the northern Cyprus population as a distinct species, Lacerta troodica, as suggested previously by BUDAK & GÖÇMEN (1995).

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Während eines zweiwöchigen Aufenthaltes in Side und Manavgat (türkische Südküste) konnte Phoenicolacerta laevis an drei Fundorten nachgewiesen werden. Wir fanden diese Art etwa 3 km westlich von Side sowie südlich der Stadt Manavgat und am Ostufer des Titreyen-Göl, einem kleinen See im Mündungsbereich des Manavgat Çay.

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During a holiday trip in March 2011 we found the Lebanon Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis) along the Lycian Coast between Tekirova and Beldibi. These lizards as well as those from the regions of Side and Manavgat prefer habitats in close proximity to human settlements, hotel complexes and agricultural areas.

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In this study the terrestrial Herpetological fauna of the Ancient City of Phaselis and in its Territorium were evaluated. Also in this study the general properties of some of the species observed in the field are given together with a photograph. In consequence of the field studies conducted during 2014‐2015: 36 species of amphibians and reptiles were identified. Considering the conservation status of these species; the IUCN status for the herpetofauna: 1 species located in category CR, 1 species located in category EN, 3 species located in category NT, 1 species located in category VU, 29 located in category LC and 1 species is in an undefined category, the Bern Convention status for the herptils: 25 species located in Appendix II (Strictly Protected Fauna Species) category, 9 Species located in Appendix III (Protected Fauna Species) category. The current situation recorded during the course of this study, the number of the species and some features of the fauna, will vary through the wider range of future studies examining the fauna and their environmental situation.

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In this study, Herpetofauna of the eastern region of t he Amanos mountains in Turkey was investigated. A total of 319 samples were collected and 27 species from 17 amphibian and reptile families were described. Two of these species are urodeles, three are anurans, two are turtles, eleven are lizards and eight are snakes.

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In this study, comparison of a life history traits (e.g. body size, age at maturity, longevity) of two populations of Phoenicolacerta laevis from different altitudes is being carried out (Anamur, 22 m a.s.l.; Andirin, 1.083 m a.s.l.) for the first time. We applied phalangeal skeletochrono¬ogy to obtain the age of juveniles and adults. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in cross¬sections. Males in both populations were the larger of the two sexes and a male biased sexual dimorphism was determined for both populations. Body size (SVL) was similar in both sexes and populations. Age of maturity was calculated to be 3 years of age for males and females in both populations. The average age of males and females was calculated as 6.62 ± 0.37 (Mean±SE) and 6.11 ± 0.26 years in Anamur, and 6.15 ± 0.51 and 5.26 ± 0.24 years in Andirin. There was statistically significant variation between sexes, but no significant difference in populations was found in relation to age. For both populations, a significant positive correlation was found between age and SVL in males and females.

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Evolutionary changes in foraging style are often believed to require concurrent changes in a complex suite of morphological, physiological, behavioural and life-history traits. In lizards, species from families with a predominantly sit-and-wait foraging style tend to be more stocky and robust, with larger heads and mouths than species belonging to actively foraging families. Here, we test whether morphology and foraging behaviour show similar patterns of association within the family Lacertidae. We also examine the association of bite force abilities with morphology and foraging behaviour. Lacertid lizards exhibit considerable interspecific variation in foraging indices, and we found some evidence for a covariation between foraging style and body shape. However, the observed relationships are not always in line with the predictions. Also, the significance of the relationships varies with the evolutionary model used. Our results challenge the idea that foraging style is evolutionarily conservative and invariably associated with particular morphologies. It appears that the flexibility of foraging mode and its morphological correlates varies among lizard taxa.

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A close relationship between habitat and external morphology is widespread among many animals, including reptiles. Here, I studied the relationship between abiotic environmental conditions and body size of four lacertid species (Phoenicolacerta laevis, Ophisops elegans, Acanthodactylus boskianus, and Mesalina guttulata) occurring in Israel. I examined the effect of average annual temperature and average annual precipitation on body and limb dimensions, using linear statistical models. Temperatureand precipitation-related geographic clines in body size showed the same trend among all species. Females displayed stronger phenotypic response to temperature gradient than conspecific males, suggesting a sex-specific effect of natural selection. Snoutvent length (SVL) was negatively correlated with temperature, supporting Bergmann’s rule in O. elegans and in female P. laevis and A. boskianus, butnot inM. guttulata. Precipitationwas positively related to SVL in O. elegans and M. guttulata, andinfemale P. laevis and A. boskianus. The relative extremity lengths, especially hind limb segments, generally increase towards hot and dry locations, following Allen’s rule. Among the Mediterranean region species (P. laevis, O. elegans) the morphological-environmental link with temperature was stronger than in desert dwellers (A. boskianus, M. guttulata), for which precipitation was the major determinant of spatial variation.

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In this study, it was aimed to determine the amphibian and reptile species distributed in Kahramanmaraş province. Between the years 2016-2018, a total of 52 species (6 amphibians, 4 turtles, 21 lizards and 21 snakes species) belonging to 20 families were determined in Kahramanmaraş province during field surveys conducted at 451 localities. The records and their locations are presented in a map and a table. However, Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758), Darevskia valentini (Boettger, 1892), Ablepharus chernovi Darevsky, 1953, Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758), Parvilacerta parva (Boulenger, 1887), Anatololacerta pelasgiana (Mertens, 1959), Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1811) and Rhynchocalamus satunini (Nikolsky, 1899) were recorded for the first time from Kahramanmaraş.

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Knowledge on the spatial distribution of taxa is crucial for the decision-making processes in conservation and management of biodiversity that rely on precise distribution data. We present an annotated list for a total of 37 amphibian (20 caudatans and 17 anurans) and 141 reptile species (11 chelonians, 70 lizards, 3 amphisbaenians and 57 snakes) in Turkey, using both available scientific literature up to December 2020 and our own fieldwork data from 1987 to 2020. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of Turkish amphibians and reptiles. The herpetofauna list will be particularly useful for establishing national conservation priorities as well as for placing Turkish fauna into phylogenetic and biogeographic contexts. We compiled information published in books, journals and various web sources and added our personal data. We projected the data in the WGS84 coordinate system and created an overlay grid with cells of 50x50 km2. The database comprises more than 500 grid cells and 11,913 records. As a result, the distribution of Turkish amphibians and reptiles has been extensively mapped with geographical information systems and a database has been created. The obtained data will be useful in planning future studies on taxonomy, ecology and conservation of Turkish amphibians and reptiles.

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The adult skeletons of lacertid lizards Phoenicolacerta laevis and P. cyanisparsa are described based on cleared-and-stained specimens. In comparison with each lacertid species, there are remarkable differences in both cranial and postcranial bones. These are the shape of some cranial bones such as the premaxilla, nasal, quadrate, squamosal, jugal and dentary and the shape of the ischium and ischio-pubis opening and the number of the last presacral vertebrae with small ribs for the postcranial skeletal elements. These detailed descriptions provide as a model to compare lacertid lizards and contribute to understand squamate osteology for further studies.

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In this research, it is intended to determine amphibian and reptile species distributed in Hatay province (East Mediterranean region, Turkey). For this aim, it is realized herpetological trip to al region of the province of Hatay in March, April, May, July, September and October in 2016 and in March and May in 2017. As a result of this study, it is recorded five anuran, two urodela species belong to five families, six chelonian belong to 5 families, and 17 lizard belong to seven families and 22 snake species belong to four families in the province Hatay (7 amphibians and 45 reptiles in total). As a result of this project; Trapelus lessonae (De filippi, 1865), and Eirenis barani Schmidtler, 1988 were recorded for in the province of Hatay in first. We report the most updated information regarding the herpetofauna of Hatay province.