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

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Contact zones between two evolutionary lineages are often useful for understanding the process of speciation because the observed genetic pattern reflects the history of differentiation. The Eurasian lacertid lizard Zootoca vivipara is a potentially interesting model for studying the role of reproductive mode in the speciation of squamate reptiles because it has both oviparous (Zootoca vivipara carniolica) and viviparous (Zootoca vivipara vivipara) populations that have recently been shown to be genetically distinct. We studied a newly-discovered syntopic area of these two Zootoca subspecies in the central Italian Alps using genetic markers to investigate the level of introgression between them. Patterns of genetic differentiation in a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytb gene and a set of nuclear microsatellites show that the speciation process is complete in this area, with no evidence of recent introgression. Phylogenetic and genotypic divergence suggests that the two subspecies have experienced long independent evolutionary histories, during which genetic and phenotypic differences evolved. The possible roles of biogeography, reproductive mode, and cytogenetic differentiation in this speciation process are discussed.

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Identification of cryptic species is an essential aim for conservation biologists to avoid premature extinctions of ‘unrecognized’ species. Integrating different types of data can undoubtedly aid in resolving the issue of species delimitation. We studied here two lineages of the common lizard Zootoca vivipara that display different reproductive mode (the viviparous Z. v. vivipara and the oviparous Z. v. carniolica) and that overlap their distributional ranges in the European Alps. With the purpose of delimiting species’ boundaries, we analyzed their ecological, genetic and natural history features. More than 300 samples were collected and analyzed at cytochrome b and 11 microsatellites loci for investigating genetic variation, population structure, individual relatedness and evolutionary histories of the two lineages. Additionally, we compared their ecological niches using eight ecological variables. Genetic data showed contrasting patterns of genetic structure between the two lineages, different demographic dynamics and no hybridization events. Also strong ecological differences (such as temperature) emerged between the two lineages, and niche overlap was limited. Taken together, these results indicate that Z. v. vivipara and Z. v. carniolica should be recognized as two separate species, and particular conservation consideration should be given to the oviparous lineage that tends to live in areas threatened by increasing impact of human activities. However, recent and rapid climate warming might determine an increasing risk for the persistence of the viviparous lineage, being adapted to cold environments.

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Genetic variability, one of the main factors that guarantees species persistence, and species’ conservation status are generally evaluated with indices calculated at the present time. Natural history collections might help compare historical and current genetic diversity so to identify major trends. Here we analysed museum specimens of the lizard Zootoca vivipara carniolica, with a specific and stringent protocol for degraded DNA, in order to contrast its past and current genetic variability, using fragments of one mitochondrial DNA gene. Part of the distributional range of Z. v. carniolica (Po Plain, Italy), heavily impacted by human activities, was investigated. We found two previously unknown haplotypes in populations that are extinct today, suggesting the loss of these haplotypes and thus an overall shrinking of genetic variability. We argue that these results, together with the increasing threats posed by climate and land use changes, suggest that specific conservation measures for the persistence of Z. v. carniolica in Northern Italian lowlands have to be considered.

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Viviparity has evolved from oviparity at least 150 independent times in vertebrates. More than 80% of these transitions have occurred in squamate reptiles, where both reproductive modes are rarely seen in different populations of the same species. This condition (bimodal reproduction) is ideal for studying the physiological and morphological changes underpinning the evolution of reproductive mode, and their genetic determinants. Here we analysed the genomes of Zootoca vivipara populations with either oviparous or viviparous reproduction using a RAD sequencing approach. No signature of interbreeding between oviparous and viviparous individuals was found. We conservatively identified 22 annotated coding sequences in genes potentially associated with parity mode differences. Six of these genes are transcription regulators that are also expressed in reproductive tissues of mammals and reptiles, suggesting that changes in gene expression are important for the evolution of viviparity. Using a more inclusive approach based on contigs mapping in either coding or non-coding regions, 45 genes were identified. Twelve of these candidate genes are transcription regulators and four encode protease enzymes. We propose that the evolution of proteases may support morphological changes to the uterus during pregnancy. This study provides the foundation for further experimental studies of the genetic basis of parity mode in Z. vivipara.

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National species lists, especially red lists, must account for the latest taxonomic updates in order to best protect newly discovered biodiversity. Here we demonstrate the cryptic presence of a new species for the Swiss herpetofauna: Carnie’s lizard Zootoca carniolica, an oviparous form of the viviparous common lizard Z. vivipara, which was recently elevated to species rank given their complete reproductive isolation. A few years ago, a range-wide phylogeographic study have genetically barcoded this subalpine species in Val Morobbia (Ticino), just a few hundred meters from the Italian border, but this finding has subsequently remained unnoticed. According to fine-scale distribution data, this population is presumably isolated, and the closest populations in Graubünden and northern Ticino all likely correspond to Z. vivipara. Since Val Morobbia is the only swiss record of Z. carniolica, the species rises as the most endangered reptile of the country. We confirmed the persistence of this population as of summer 2021 and call for immediate actions to document the geographic extent and life history of Z. carniolica in Switzerland, in order to implement conservation measures.

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The structure of an oviparous population of lizard Zootoca vivipara carniolica (belonging to OS3 haplotype) from the Orobian Prealps (Central Prealps, Lombardy, Italy), and the morphological differences among individuals, were investigated. This study reports the first biometric data and pholidosis an Italian population of Z. v. carniolica. Further, sexual dimorphism and sex ratio were analyzed. In the studied lizard population inter-sexual differences are similar to those reported on the nominal species, while the sex ratio was skewed towards female individuals.

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Analysis of the distribution, haplotypes and conservation of the viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) and the oviparous subspecies, Zootoca vivipara carniolica (Mayer, Böhme, Tiedemann & Bischoff, 2000) in the Bergamasque Prealps. -- In this study we analysed the distribution of two subspecies of the viviparous, Zootoca vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) in Bergamasque Prealps-Orobic Alps. The project was commissioned by “Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche” (Anfi.Oro.Project 2008/2011); the aim of this project was to further investigate the ecological distributional, conservational and genetic aspects about this lizard. Over the course of the study it emerged that the viviparous subspecies (Zootoca vivipara vivipara) shows a broader distributional range in comparison with the oviparous populations (Zootoca vivipara carniolica, Mayer, Böhme, Tiedemann. & Bischoff, 2000). Z. v. vivipara is present along the watershed between the Brembana Valley and Valtellina, almost entirely throughout the Seriana Valley and it is the only subspecies present in Scalve Valley. Z .v. carniolica is quite common in medium to high areas of the Brembana Valley, it is more localised in the Seriana Valley, and absent in Scalve Valley. An area of sintopy between the two subspecies was documented for the first time in Italy. Genetic analysis revealed five different haplotypes of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, across Orobie Alps; two haplotypes belong to the viviparous subspecies, and three haplotypes belong to oviparous one. Our results underlined that Z. v. vivipara shows a higher capacity to inhabit different types of habitat in a broad altitudinal range, as opposed to Z. v. carniolica which occupies fewer types of habitat over a reduced altitudinal range.The two subspecies appear to be vicariant, since they occupy reasonably differing areas and altitudes.The oviparous subspecies (Z. v. carniolica) might be considered at risk in term of progressive loss of habitat, mainly due to reduction of grazing activities and consequent increase of woodland. Conversely,a considerable overlap of their habitats has also been observed. An analysis of conservational problems has shown that the oviparous subspecies (Z. v. carniolica) might be considered at risk in terms of a progressive loss of habitat,mainly due to reduction of pastures and a consequent increase of wooded areas

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We sampled seven populations of Zootoca vivipara from Central Europe (6 Austrian, 1 German) and found several chromosomal forms inhabiting this region: (1) oviparous Z.v. carniolica, (2) ovoviviparous form from Hungary and southern Austria with the same karyotypic characters, (3) ovoviviparous western form, and (4) ovoviviparous form in the NE Alps including the type locality, which is caryologically similar to the NE Austrian Pannonian lowland populations and the ovoviviparous Russian form. Austria is characterized by high chromosomal diversity in Z. vivipara, housing 3 different ovoviviparous chromosomal forms plus an oviparous one. Together with other data sets, our results corroborate the hypothesis of a multiple origin of viviparity in this species.

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The European common lizard, Zootoca vivipara, is one of the very few reptile species with two reproductive modes, viz. viviparity and oviparity. Oviparity in this otherwise viviparous form has been known since 1927 for the allopatric Z. v. louislantzi. Only with the discovery of a second oviparous form, Z. v. carniolica, a parapatric occurrence of oviparous and viviparous populations became conceivable. In this study, we (1) detect a contact zone where both forms meet, (2) find evidence for natural hybridization between both reproductive strains, and (3) compare the reproductive strategies of egg-layers and live-bearers independent from environmental interference. Thirty-seven gravid females were captured in a supposed contact zone in Carinthia, Austria, and maintained in the laboratory until oviposition or parturition. Clutch size, embryonic mortality and birth weight of the neonates were compared among the reproductively differentiated samples. Hybrids were identified by intermediate reproductive characteristics. Our results provide the first proof of a contact zone between live-bearing and egg-laying Z. vivipara, and of natural hybridization among them. The study further provided evidence that hybrid females of the two strains are at least partially fertile, and that oviparous and viviparous Z. vivipara show clear differences in their reproductive strategies.

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We discovered egg-laying populations of the Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara (JACQUIN, 1887) in Slovenia and Carinthia. Besides preliminary comparisons of egg membrane characteristics and embryonic stages at the time of egg deposition, we present a phylogenetic analysis of this species based on mitochondrial DNA sequences of several samples from Lower Austria, Carinthia, Slovenia, Italy (Friuli) and Spain. The results suggest an evolutionary divergence within this species comparable to that found in allopatric (semi)species. This leads us to recognise the south-eastern Central European oviparous lineage as a distinct subspecies Zootoca vivipara carniolica ssp. nov.

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The egg-laying subspecies of viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara carniolica was first described in Slovenia was thought to be the only subspecies present in the area. However, none of previous studies explored populations above 1200 m a.s.l. In this thesis we searched for the presence of viviparous subspecies Zootoca vivipara vivipara in Slovenia and for the morphological tratis that would warrant identification of subspecies in the field. We studied five regions, and confirmed the presence of the nominal subspecies Z. v. vivipara on Pohorje in NE part of Slovenia. In the same region, albeit on lower altitudes, lives also egg-laying subspecies Z. v. carniolica. We assume that the region presents a contact zone between both subspecies. We found no reliable morphological characteristics for suspsecies identification; potentially useful is the coloration of female belly, yellow, orange or pale in nominal and only pale in egg laying subspecies.

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Improving the knowledge about the distribution of threatened species is a fundamental step forward for implementing effective measures for species conservation. Distribution maps of herpetological species are often inferred from morphological identification but, in some cases, morphology alone is not reliable for assessing the distribution of look-alike species. The common lizard Zootoca vivipara includes several lineages which, to date, cannot be distinguished by any conventional morphological traits. Therefore, a reliable taxonomic identification for the main Zootoca lineages is only feasible with genetic data. In this study, we identify a morphological trait that can be used to distinguish individuals of the parapatric Z. v. vivipara and Z. carniolica, without the support of molecular analyses. This method may provide a cost-effective tool to better depict the distribution of the threatened Z. carniolica and therefore prioritize the conservation of the locations where the oviparous Alpine lineage is found.

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The first records of Zootoca vivipara carniolica in South Tyrol (the Italian autonomous province of Bolzano, Antholzer Tal, affluent to the river Rienz in the Pustertal) and the northeastern most finding of Podarcis muralis maculiventris in South Tyrol (from above Olang-water reservoir in the Pustertal, an important Alpine geological cross-drain separating the central- and southern Alps) are reported.

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This paper represents an update of the list of Italian amphibians and reptiles published 15 years ago by Razzetti et al. (2006) and of the checklist published in 1993 by the late Benedetto Lanza. At present, the Italian herpetofauna includes 100 species (41 amphibians and 59 reptiles) and an amphibian taxon of hybrid origin. Seven species and one subspecies are allochthonous and became naturalized within the last century. Since the last published list, a new species has been described (Vipera walser), five taxa have been raised to species rank (Salamandrina perspicillata, Speleomantes sarrabusensis, Zootoca carniolica, Malpolon insignitus and Natrix helvetica) while three taxa have been downgraded to subspecies. All the relevant taxonomic changes based upon new research have been discussed, including tentative revisions and controversial taxa. Nine species reported or listed dubitatively in Lanza’s 1993 list are excluded here.

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The lizard Zootoca vivipara has both oviparous and viviparous populations which belong to distinct clades. This study aims to elucidate the geographic distribution, phylogeography and conservation priority of the oviparous subspecies, Zootoca vivipara carniolica, that has recently been identified in Slovenia. We studied seven Slovenian populations, two northeastern Italian populations and five northwestern Italian populations. The seven cytochrome b haplotypes that we identified from the Slovenian and Italian oviparous populations form a monophyletic basal clade. The high homogeneity of the Slovenian and northeastern Italian populations (nucleotide diversity
=0.06%) is a striking contrast with the pattern observed in northwest Italy where each of the five populations studied presents a private haplotype (
=1.03%). The results obtained suggest that all the extant lineages of Z. v. carniolica have originated in an Italian refuge. The reproductive and phylogenetic distinctiveness of Z. v. carniolica clearly justifies conservation of its populations, especially in Italy where the highest genetic diversity and the most ancestral haplotype were observed.