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Circum‐Sicilian and Maltese herpetofauna includes 22 species occurring with steady populations, andsome of them (Pelophylax bedriagae, Trachemys scripta, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Hemorrhois algirus and perhapsTelescopus fallax) were introduced during the last two centuries, while for other 7 at least one introduction withinthe study islands was documented during the same span of time; furthermore, temporary occurrences were alsodetected for other 16 species (3 amphibians and 13 reptiles), some of which (Hyla sp., Graptemys pseudogeo‐graphica, Centrochelys sulcata, Pantherophis guttatus and Lampropeltis getula) have not been previously recordedfor these islands. Accidental or intentional introductions have gradually increased in recent decades and have asignificant influence in shaping these herpetofunal assemblages. On the contrary, extinction seems to be less fre‐quent and involved especially amphibians. The updated faunal inventory for 65 islands includes several new recordsand the results of the first herpetological investigations on the islets Faraglione di terra di Cala Fico, Colombaia,Vittoria Garcia (circum‐Sicilian), Pigeon Rock and Cheirolopus Rock (Maltese).

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The monophyletic species subgroup of Podarcis tauricus is distributed in the western and southern parts of the Balkans, and includes four species with unresolved and unstudied inter- and intra-specific phylogenetic relationships. Using sequence data from two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes and applying several phylogenetic methods and species delimitation approaches to an extensive dataset, we have reconstructed the phylogeny of the Podarcis wall lizards in the Balkans, and re-investigated the taxonomic status of the P. tauricus species subgroup. Multilocus analyses revealed that the aforementioned subgroup consists of five major clades, with P. melisellensis as its most basal taxon. Monophyly of P. tauricus sensu stricto is not supported, with one of the subspecies (P. t. ionicus) displaying great genetic diversity (hidden diversity or cryptic species). It comprises five, geographically distinct, subclades with genetic distances on the species level. Species delimitation approaches revealed nine species within the P. tauricus species subgroup (P. melisellensis, P. gaigeae, P. milensis, and six in the P. tauricus complex), underlining the necessity of taxonomic re-evaluation. We thus synonymize some previously recognized subspecies in this subgroup, elevate P. t. tauricus and P. g. gaigeae to the species level and suggest a distinct Albanian-Greek clade, provisionally named as the P. ionicus species complex. The latter clade comprises five unconfirmed candidate species that call for comprehensive studies in the future.

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Podarcis filfolensis is an endemic lizard from the Maltese archipelago. There is evidence of human-mediated decline and even extirpation of some insular populations of this species. However, information about the intraspecific genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns of this species is limited. Here we analyze genetic markers from a multi-locus dataset (mtDNA, 2,533 bp; nuclear c-mos gene, 353 bp; 11 microsatellites) for individuals from extant populations of P. filfolensis. Despite generally low genetic variability, two main mitochondrial groupings were clearly identified. In general, individuals from the main island of Malta were genetically distinct from those from Gozo, Comino, Cominotto and Small Blue Lagoon Rock, and also from Linosa and Lampione individuals. Three genetic clusters were detected based on microsatellite data: one was found at higher frequency on Malta, while the other two included samples from the remaining islands, showing some concordance with the mtDNA pattern. A time-calibrated Bayesian tree for the principal mitochondrial lineages indicated strong statistical support for two P. filfolensis lineages that originated in the Pleistocene (105.4–869 Ka). We show that these lineages largely meet the criteria for recognition as evolutionary significant units despite some recent admixture (possibly due to recent translocations between islands). Human disturbance, low genetic variability, evidence of bottlenecks and extirpation on one island indicate that a thorough review of the current conservation status of P. filfolensis would be timely.

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The Expansion-Contraction (EC) model predicts demographic and range contraction of temperate species during Pleistocene glaciations as a consequence of climate-related habitat changes, and provides a paradigm for explaining the high intraspecific diversity found in refugia in terms of long-term demographic stability. However, recent evidence has revealed a weak predictive power of this model for terrestrial species in insular and coastal settings. We investigated the Pleistocene EC dynamics and their evolutionary consequences on temperate species using the Maltese archipelago and its endemic lizard Podarcis filfolensis as a model system. The evolutionary and demographic history of P. filfolensis as inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequences data does not conform to the EC model predictions, supporting (i) demographic and spatial stability or expansion, rather than contraction, of the northern and southern lineages during the last glacial period, and (ii) a major role for allopatric differentiation primed by sea-level dynamics, rather than prolonged demographic stability, in the formation of the observed genetic diversity. When combined with evidence from other Mediterranean refugia, this study shows how the incorporation of Pleistocene sea-level variations in the EC model accounts for a reverse demographic and range response of insular and coastal temperate biotas relative to continental ones. Furthermore, this cross-archipelago pattern in which allopatric diversity is formed and shaped by EC cycles resembles that seen between isolated populations within mainland refugia and suggests that the EC model, originally developed to explain population fluctuations into and out-of refugia, may be appropriate for describing the demographic and evolutionary dynamics driving the high genetic diversity observed in these areas.

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We investigated the phylogeography and historical demography of the Maltese wall lizard Podarcis filfolensis using both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. We included samples from all the main islands of the Maltese and Pelagian archipelagos and from every islet and offshore rock where this species occurs. The phylogenetic analyses show two main mitochondrial phylogroups, one occurring in the island of Malta and the islet of Filfla (Maltese lineage) and the other one mainly distributed on Gozo and Comino islands and their surrounding islets, and on the Pelagian islands (Gozitan lineage). We discuss what demographic dynamics and microevolutionary processes have been involved in shaping the pattern of genetic diversity and distribution of P. filfolensis within the general framework of Pleistocene biogeography of temperate biota in coastal areas.

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The Maltese-Pelagian area is characterised by an endemic species of Wall Lizard - Podarcis filfolensis. This has differentiated into various subspecies on the various islands and rocks of the region including ssp. filfolensis on Filfola, laurentiimuelleri of Lampione and Linosa, generalensis of Fungus Rock, kieselbachi of St. Paul`s Islands, maltensis of Malta and Gozo and possibly Comino, and an unnamed form from Cominotto. The taxonomical status of the species and its possible origins from Podarcis sicula are reviewed in the light of the geological movements which occurred in the Central Mediterranean during the Pleistocene. The colour differences between the various subspecies are reviewed and four degrees of melanism are proposed.

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The Maltese Wall Lizard, Podarcis filfolensis, exists in a number of isolated populations, some of which have been given formal scientific names as subspecies. Special attention was given to the population of P.filfolensis kieselbachi, which is endemic to Selmunett Island due to the fact of its rapid decrease. The prime suspect for this matter is Rattus sp. Through the literature read it was noted that between the late 80`s to early 90`s, the population of P.filfolensis kieselbachi was very dense all over the island. Since the present author started visiting the island in late 1997, there was still quite a good stable population that scarcely could be found in all over the island. During these studies since 1999 the author divided the island in several sections in order to organise my observations. Today, lizards inhabit approximately only 1/10 of the island and they are all located in one particular section of the smaller islet that the author have designated as Area C. Here the maximum population is of the order of 30 to 35 lizards. This very small population is a matter of concern and some kind of action has to be taken to reverse this decline.

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The Mediterranean chameleon Chamaleo chamaleon is one of nine terrestrial reptile species that occur in the Maltese islands. Because it is an introduced species very few studies have been conducted inMalta and much of the available knowledge is derived from research made abroad in a different environment. This study tackles some of data in circulation and the discovery of this reptile on the islet of Cominotto, and endeavours to investigate its potential impact on the local population of Podarcis filfolensis.

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Reported in this short note are some observations on the introduced avifauna of Comino Island and observed interactions with local herpetofauna.

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The islet’s recent discovery by the authors hold quite a rich biota compared to its size. In this work topography is re- described adding one species of flora to the already known six (SCIBERRAS & SCIBERRAS 2010, SCIBERRAS et al. 2012) and 32 new species of fauna to the two recorded (LO CASCIO & SCIBERRAS 2020, AGUIS & SCIBERRAS 2022) with a complete description of the endemic lacertid, Podarcis filfolensis, in situ.

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Different behavior in populations of Podarcis filflolensis on the Maltese and Pelagian islands are described and discussed.

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Auctor scrutatur- 1273 lacertas e paeninsula et insulis Italiciis (praetermissis insulis Etruscis, de quarum lacertis iam antea disseruerat), in quibus undecim subspecies ante ignotas invenit; de nonnullarum distributione disputat; et singulas species et subspecies accurate describit, rationem quamdam dicotomicam etiam tradens, qua facilius recognosci possint.