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The squamates are composed of many taxa, among which there is morphological variation in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). To elucidate the evolution of chemoreception in squamate reptiles, morphological data from the VNO from a variety of squamate species is required. In this study, the morphology of the VNO of the grass lizard Takydromus tachydromoides was examined using light and electron microscopy. The VNO consists of a pair of dome-shaped structures, which communicate with the oral cavity. There are no associated glandular structures. Microvilli are present on the apical surfaces of receptor cells in its sensory epithelium, as well as on supporting cells, and there are centrioles and ciliary precursor bodies on the dendrites. In addition to ciliated cells and basal cells in the non-sensory epithelium, there is a novel type of non-ciliated cell in T. tachydromoides. They have constricted apical cytoplasm and microvilli instead of cilia, and are sparsely distributed in the epithelium. Based on these results, the variation in the morphology of the VNO in scincomorpha, a representative squamate taxon, is discussed.

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Research of fauna and biology of particular species of reptiles in the area of Nature park Papuk were done in the period from February 2009 to September 2009, in 15 locations. The transect method was used in data gathering on reptiles. The sampled units were measured for length or photographed, and during sampling the environmental parametres were measured. The collected data were entered in the database and with the help of GIS technology distribution maps of particular species on the examined area were made. The species Natrix natrix and Lacerta viridis had the largest quantitative structure. The eudominant species were established to be Natrix natrix, Lacerta viridis, Natrix tessellata and Lacerta vivipara, while the recent species are Vipera berus and Ablepharus kitaibelii. The numerousness of species in the researched area as well as their distribution are the result of various conditions in microhabitats, where species find the optimal conditions for survival. Furthermore, seasonal and daily dynamics were analysed. Daily activities, of species and of individuals, show a decrease of value from morning to afternoon, and as far as seasonal dynamics is concerned, the most intensive period of appearance of reptile is in the period from July to September.

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Predation usually selects for visual crypsis, the colour matching between an animal and its background. Geographic co-variation between animal and background colourations is well known, but how crypsis varies along elevational gradients remains unknown. We predict that dorsal colouration in the lizard Psammodromus algirus should covary with the colour of bare soil—where this lizard is mainly found—along a 2200 m elevational gradient in Sierra Nevada (SE Spain). Moreover, we predict that crypsis should decrease with elevation for two reasons: (1) Predation pressure typically decreases with elevation, and (2) at high elevation, dorsal colouration is under conflicting selection for both crypsis and thermoregulation. By means of standardised photographies of the substratum and colourimetric measurements of lizard dorsal skin, we tested the colour matching between lizard dorsum and background. We found that, along the gradient, lizard dorsal colouration covaried with the colouration of bare soil, but not with other background elements where the lizard is rarely detected. Moreover, supporting our prediction, the degree of crypsis against bare soil decreased with elevation. Hence, our findings suggest local adaptation for crypsis in this lizard along an elevational gradient, but this local adaptation would be hindered at high elevations.

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Local adaptation is a dynamic process by which different allele combinations are selected in different populations at different times, and whose genetic signature can be inferred by genome-wide outlier analyses. We combined gene flow estimates with two methods of outlier detection, one of them independent of population coancestry (CIOA) and the other one not (ROA), to identify genetic variants favored when ecology promotes phenotypic convergence. We analyzed genotyping-by-sequencing data from five populations of a lizard distributed over an environmentally heterogeneous range that has been changing since the split of eastern and western lineages ca. 3 mya. Overall, western lizards inhabit forest habitat and are unstriped, whereas eastern ones inhabit shrublands and are striped. However, one population (Lerma) has unstriped phenotype despite its eastern ancestry. The analysis of 73,291 SNPs confirmed the east–west division and identified nonoverlapping sets of outliers (12 identified by ROA and 9 by CIOA). ROA revealed ancestral adaptive variation in the uncovered outliers that were subject to divergent selection and differently fixed for eastern and western populations at the extremes of the environmental gradient. Interestingly, such variation was maintained in Lerma, where we found high levels of heterozygosity for ROA outliers, whereas CIOA uncovered innovative variants that were selected only there. Overall, it seems that both the maintenance of ancestral variation and asymmetric migration have counterbalanced adaptive lineage splitting in our model species. This scenario, which is likely promoted by a changing and heterogeneous environment, could hamper ecological speciation of locally adapted populations despite strong genetic structure between lineages.

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Spontaneous regrowth of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons occurs after optic nerve (ON) transection in the lizard Gallotia galloti. To gain more insight into this event we performed an immunohistochemical study on selected neuron and glial markers, which proved useful for analyzing the axonal regrowth process in different regeneration models. In the control lizards, RGCs were beta‐III tubulin‐ (Tuj1) and HuCD‐positive. The vesicular glutamate transporter‐1 (VGLUT1) preferentially stained RGCs and glial somata rather than synaptic layers. In contrast, SV2 and vesicular GABA/glycine transporter (VGAT) labeling was restricted to both plexiform layers. Strikingly, the strong expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) in both Müller glia processes and macroglial somata revealed a high glutamate metabolism along the visual system. Upregulation of Tuj1 and HuCD in the surviving RGCs was observed at all the timepoints studied (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postlesion). The significant rise of Tuj1 in the optic nerve head and optic tract (OTr) by 1 and 6 months postlesion, respectively, suggests an increase of the beta‐III tubulin transport and incorporation into newly formed axons. Persistent Tuj1+ and SV2+ puncta and swellings were abnormally observed in putative degenerating/dystrophic fibers. Unexpectedly, neuron‐like cells of obscure significance were identified in the control and regenerating ON‐OTr. We conclude that: 1) the persistent upregulation of Tuj1 and HuCD favors the long‐lasting axonal regrowth process; 2) the latter succeeded despite the ectopia and dystrophy of some regrowing fibers; and 3) maintenance of the glutamate‐glutamine cycle contributes to the homeostasis and plasticity of the system.

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We calculated growth rate for the spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) inhabiting coastal eastern Spain from long-term mark-recapture data. Growth curves differ between sexes, with males growing faster than females and achieving larger size maximums. In this population each sex reaches maturity at about 300 days of age, approximately 34% faster than males, and 28% faster than females studied in a population further south and west in Iberia. Our logarithmic growth model has an accuracy of 96.8% and high statistical significance ( r = 0.96 for males and r = 0.97 for females). Although both the exponential curve of “best fit” for growth estimated for males (r = 0.81), and the linear curve of “best fit” estimated for females ( r = 0.77) in a population from Cadiz (Busack & Jaksic, 1982) are also significant. The overlap between growth curves and the general data cloud of the population showed that at the end of the year the proportion of individuals younger than one year was 80% and the proportion of individuals older than one year was 20%. Our data, in agreement with calculated maximum life spans for males (1.9 years) and females (2.1 years) in Cadiz, suggest a life span of approximately two years for both sexes. Females seem to reproduce only in a unique season in their lives, at this locality, as in Cadiz (Busack & Klosterman, 1987) they likely lay only one clutch, whereas females in Morocco (Bons, 1962) may produce two.

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Trophic ecology is one of the most important aspects of a species’ ecology and it is crucial when trying to assess how different species interact in an ecosystem. Showing how the diet intraspecifically changes in different body sizes, sexes or habitats and how trophic resources are shared interspecifically allows to understand how the ecosystem functions. With this objective, we studied the diet and trophic ecology of Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus, which are in syntropy in the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. We collected a total of 485 faecal samples and could identify 18 different prey groups. The main prey groups in A. erythrurus were Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera; in P. algirus, Lepidoptera, Arachnida, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera; and in P. edwardsianus, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Arachnida. Our results show that A. erythrurus seems to be the most specialized species, having the lowest values of trophic niche amplitude and the lowest intraspecific diet variation. Although this species is known to feed mainly on ants, our results indicate that mirmecophagy seems to be especially important in juveniles. Indeed we observed in all three species a niche separation between small and big individuals, indicating that diet changes with age. We could also evidence a resource partitioning between A. erythrurus and P. algirus, presenting a niche overlap of only 51.6%. In conclusion, there are various factors playing together shaping the diet of a species in a certain environment: behavioural, ecological, environmental and physiological factors.

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Although lizards are important hosts for hard ticks (Ixodidae), very few studies have been conducted in South Korea. To determine whether or not hard ticks can infest lizards endemic to South Korea, we examined 77 lizards of four species (Eremias argus, Sincella vandenburghi, Takydromus amurensis, and Takydromus wolteri) that were collected at 22 different sites between April and October 2010. We confirmed that all four lizard species can be infested by Ixodes nipponensis larvae or nymphs. Of the 62 E. argus examined, we found an average of 12.5 larvae on two lizards and an average of one nymph on one lizard. We found seven nymphs on one S. vandenburghi. We found an average of two nymphs on two of the five T. amurensis and an average of one nymph on four of the nine T. wolteri. Ixodes nipponensis larvae and nymphs were found most frequently on the foreleg axillae (87.8%), followed by the forelegs (7.3%), the eyelids (2.4%), and the ears (2.4%) of the lizards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of I. nipponensis infestations of lizards endemic to South Korea.

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There are many factors affecting population dynamics, both abiotic and biotic. One of the most important biotic factors affecting different ecological aspects of a species is competition. But there is relatively little research focussing on the effect of competition on population dynamics. Thus, we studied population dynamics of three insectivorous lizard species (Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus) which cohabit in our study area. We carried out periodic censuses and samplings during 2015 and 2017. Our results seem to confirm that a high level of competition can alter some aspects of population dynamics. Also body size seems to play a role, as most adjustments we detected were related to small size classes and the most affected species was P. edwardsianus. Some possible responses to competition we detected were an advance of the reproduction period, increased growth rates and biasing the sex ratio notably towards males (as higher testosterone levels lead to more aggression and this improves success rates in interspecific encounters). However, our study area is highly anthropized and further research is needed to discern if these adjustments are really exclusively related to competition or if human disturbance also plays a role.

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Mechanisms affecting consistent interindividual behavioral variation (i.e., animal personality) are of wide scientific interest. In poikilotherms, ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors with a direct link to a variety of fitnessrelated traits. Recent empirical evidence suggests that individual differences in boldness are linked to behavioral thermoregulation strategy in heliothermic species, as individuals are regularly exposed to predators during basking. Here, we tested for links between behavioral thermoregulation strategy, boldness, and individual state in adult males of the high-mountain Carpetan rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni). Principal component analysis revealed the following latent links in our data: (i) a positive relationship of activity with relative limb length and color brightness (PC1, 23% variation explained), (ii) a negative relationship of thermoregulatory precision with parasite load and risk-taking (PC2, 20.98% variation explained), and (iii) a negative relationship between preferred body temperature and relative limb length (PC3, 19.23% variation explained). We conclude that differences in boldness and behavioral thermoregulatory strategy could be explained by both stable and labile state variables. The moderate link between behavioral thermoregulatory strategy and risk-taking personality in our system is plausibly the result of differences in reproductive state of individuals or variation in ecological conditions during the breeding season.

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“Extinction. An exhibition, a genetic data base and a survey on collections of extinct or endangered vertebrates located in Italian Natural History Museums” originated in 2014 as a joint project of the University of Padua, the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin (MRSN), the MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, and FEM2-Ambiente s.r.l. (University of Milan-Bicocca). The project idea was based on the collaboration between different institutions (universities, museums of local authorities, university spin-off), in order to start a catalogue of specimens and species of vertebrates under threat of extinction and housed in the collections of Italian natural history museums, with the aim of conducting genetic research on preserved specimens and enhancing its conservationist importance. This was possible thanks to the contribution of the Ministry of Education, University and Research, which allowed to: i) activate the census of the collections; ii) support the investigations on the DNA of a critically endangered species, the Aeolian lizard Podarcis raffonei; iii) carry out three ostensive activities dedicated to the extinction phenomena of vertebrates, carried out at the MUSE in Trento, at the Biodiversity Garden of Padua University and in Turin in spaces of Regione Piemonte

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Acute oxygen consumption determ inations for both adults and sub-adults of L. vivipara were made over the temperature range 5-30°C during summer and winter. D uring winter dormancy, both adults and sub-adults were found to have a m etabolic rate l ower than t h e metabolic rate of s u m m er animals at each experim ental temperature. This reduction of oxygen consumption in winter lizards can be interpreted as an `inverse compensation` ( Precht`s Type ) pattern of response). It is concluded that this adj ustment can reduce energy costs during the winter period and is a pre-requisite for survival during winte r dormancy.

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In view of the import of allochthonous clades of the Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis into Germany, the Mainz Basin presents an interesting situation. Rhineland-Palatinate and Hessen have the indigenous subspecies brongniardii, Eastern France clade. It is restricted to the hill areas. On the south bank of the Rhine in the Mainz Basin it has its southernmost locality at Bingen-Gaulsheim. On the north bank its distribution in the Mainz Basin becomes spottier towards the East, because the south-facing slopes of the Rheingau get less and less steep; along the Rhine the contingent distribution area ends near Oestrich-Winkel. Some 30 km east of Gaulsheim, the Mainz-Budenheim quarry and its vicinity harbour the subspecies brongniardii, Western France clade. This is due to a relocation in 2007-2009 from the “llmenauer Aue”, a railway track habitat in central Mainz along the lower Gonsbach creek. The Ilmenauer Aue and the adjacent industrial park near the freight harbour have been under substantial construction, but some lizards can still be found in the area. The wall lizards of the south embankment of the harbour peninsula near the harbour entry have a yellow brown basic dorsal colouration, which may have given rise to the buckskin type of colouration and pattern which may be observed in the Budenheim quarry. East of the quarry and its vicinity, the lizards are found at Budenheim in the gardens of Kreuzer Hof, a small settlement on the Rhine. As some lizards of the relocation effort may not have arrived in the quarry, they may have been released in supposedly suitable habitats. This rather than rafting with the Rhine currents may explain their suspected mixing with the indigenous clade on the opposite, northern bank of the Rhine in two locations: - the wall along the towing path between Eltville and Walluf (east of Oestrich-Winkel), where they form a large population, which is basically tied to the wall, and has expanded neither into the city of Eltville nor into the Rheingau hills of the hinterland nor into the eastern part of Walluf; - the Rhine embankment of Mainz-Kastel (near Theodor-Heuss bridge), where they drive the Eastern France clade into the shadier areas, particularly those on the edge of the distribution area; the Western France clade has spread to the nearby railway tracks, southeast at least to Mainz-Kastel railway station. While the protected meadowlands of the Schierstein water works on the Rhine east of Walluf are without lizards, a small population of wall lizards exists at Schierstein harbour entry and the eastern end of the harbour. Predominantly these lizards show the characters of the indigenous Eastern France clade, but sporadic Western France clade influence cannot be excluded. In the southeast of Wiesbaden, in the lower portion of a south-facing slope of a former, now long abandoned vineyard, there is the Cyperus population of wall lizards. It stems from imports mainly from Northern Italy before, during and shortly after WW I. It is said to have extended to the Dyckerhoff quarries in the northwest, to the Erbenheim cemetary and its vicinity in the north where it is now extinct due to the harsher uphill climate and a lack of unshaded vertical structures, and to the allotment gardens in the east while elsewise being surrounded by impenetrable fields and woods. This population is dominated by the subspecies maculiventris, Southern Alps clade. In the main population the green dorsum, which characteristic of the subspecies nigriventris, has been reduced to yellow spots; this is explained by the eutrophy in the main new habitat. However, the green colour still exists in some rare individuals and especially in the Hessler farm subpopulation Most other locality reports for wall lizards at least in the Wiesbaden area are erroneous; they are based on juvenile sand lizards; the sand lizard Lacerta a. agilis is common in the Mainz Basin. The morphology and behaviour of the three main wall lizard clades in the Mainz basin (ssp. brongniadii, Eastern Facne clade and Western France clade, as well as ssp. maculiventris) are compared in order to facilitate recognition in the field and to substantiate the lack of substantial threat for the indigenous lizard fauna. The special temperature and habitat requirements as well as the lack of inherited specific threat avoidance techniques (beyond avoiding the flood-prone areas) of the southern clades of the Common Wall Lizard restrict them to a spotty distribution in Germany.

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Background To date, the only estimate of the heritability of telomere length in wild populations comes from humans. Thus, there is a need for analysis of natural populations with respect to how telomeres evolve. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we show that telomere length is heritable in free-ranging sand lizards, Lacerta agilis. More importantly, heritability estimates analysed within, and contrasted between, the sexes are markedly different; son-sire heritability is much higher relative to daughter-dam heritability. We assess the effect of paternal age on Telomere Length (TL) and show that in this species, paternal age at conception is the best predictor of TL in sons. Neither paternal age per se at blood sampling for telomere screening, nor corresponding age in sons impact TL in sons. Processes maintaining telomere length are also associated with negative fitness effects, most notably by increasing the risk of cancer and show variation across different categories of individuals (e.g. males vs. females). We therefore tested whether TL influences offspring survival in their first year of life. Indeed such effects were present and independent of sex-biased offspring mortality and offspring malformations. Conclusions/Significance TL show differences in sex-specific heritability with implications for differences between the sexes with respect to ongoing telomere selection. Paternal age influences the length of telomeres in sons and longer telomeres enhance offspring survival.

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Die Vorliegende Studie belegt das Vorkommen von Mesalina brevirostris BLANFORD, 1874 in der Türkei. Neun Exemplare (fünf Männchen, vier Weibchen) wurden in Akçakale (Sanliurfa) nahe der türkisch-syrischen Grenze am 6 und 7. Mai 2002 gefangen. Die Pholidosemerkmale der neun Exemplare aus Akçakale ähneln denen, wie sie mehrere Autoren für syrische Tiere angeben. Die Anzahl der Dorsalia-Querreihen ist bei den Exemplaren von Akçakale (49,0 - 57,0; Mittelwert 53,2) deutlich größer als bei Tieren aus dem östlichen und zentralen Syrien (36,0 - 47,0; Mittelwert 40,3). Nach metrischen, meristischen und Farbmuster-Merkmalen sind die neun Exemplare von Südost-Anatolien der typischen Form Mesalina brevirostris brevirostris zuzuordnen.

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Background: Identifying the factors that contribute to divergence among populations in mate preferences is important for understanding of the manner in which premating reproductive isolation might arise and how this isolation may in turn contribute to the evolutionary process of population divergence. Here, we offered female northern grass lizards (Takydromus septentrionalis) a choice of males between their own population and another four populations to test whether the preferences that females display in the mating trials correlate with phenotypic adaptation to local environments, or to the neutral genetic distance measured by divergence of mitochondrial DANN sequence loci. Results: Females showed a strong preference for native over foreign males. Females that mated with native versus foreign males did not differ from each other in mating latency, or copulation duration. From results of the structural equation modelling we knew that: 1) geographical distance directly contributed to genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity; 2) genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity indirectly contributed to female mate preference, largely through their effects on morphological divergence; and 3) females judged mates by body shape (appearance) and discriminated more strongly against morphologically less familiar allopatric males. Conclusions: Local adaptation rather than neutral genetic distance influences female mate preference in T. Septentrionali. The tendency to avoid mating with foreign males may indicate that, in T. septentrionalis, local adaptations are more valuable than genetic novelties. Our results highlight the importance of comprehensive studies integrating ecological, molecular and behavioral approaches to understand population divergence in female mate preferences as the consequence of local adaptations.

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The disappearance of native seed dispersers due to anthropogenic activities is often accompanied by the introduction of alien species, which may to some extent replace the ecological service provided by the extinct ones. Yet, little empirical evidence exists demonstrating the evolutionary consequences of such alien “replacement.” Here, we document the conflicting selection exerted on seed size by two native lizards (Podarcis lilfordi and P. pityusensis) and an alien mammal species (Martes martes), all acting as legitimate seed dispersers of the Mediterranean relict Cneorum tricoccon. While lizards mostly exerted a negative directional selection on seed diameter, especially P. pityusensis, the much larger pine marten exerted positive selection on seed size. Our findings suggest that this among‐disperser variation in the selection regimes, together with the occurrence of spatial variation in the presence of each seed disperser, help to create the geographical variation observed for seed size of C. tricoccon. To our knowledge, this is the first empirical evidence showing opposing selective pressures between native and alien species in the seed dispersal process in an invaded ecosystem.

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A witness reports the release of 100 Western Green Lizards Lacerta bilineata, originating from the canton of Ticino, Switzerland in the early 1950ies. The place of release is a residence area with garden-surrounded houses at Hasenberg Mountain within the city limits of Stuttgart, Germany. A permanent population established itself, remained undetected until 1996 and is meanwhile observed by the public. The area was formerly inhabited by Sand Lizards Lacerta agilis who vanished ca. 1970. The present accompanying reptile fauna consists of Slow Worms Anguis fragilis and Smooth Snakes Coronella austriaca. Since 2017 Common Wall Lizards are observed, phenotypically assigned to Podarcis muralis maculiventris of the Southern Alps lineage.

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The author reports on the food and the analysis of faecal pellets of Gallotia atlantica on Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain). The results show that this lizard is omnivorous, but feeds predominantly on insects. It uses a wide range of food, especially Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera (Formicidae), and adapts quickly to natural changes in food resources. After rainfall and the emergency of new growing vegetation, insect laevae (especially caterpillars) are increasingly eaten by the lizards. Finally, in one of the faecal samples little bones and scales were found and revealed a case of cannibalism in this species.

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The authors report on a herpetological excursion from April 22 to May 7 to northwestern Iran. The route led from Tehran via Esfahan, Chelgerd, Kuhdasht, Kermanshah, Marivan, Täbriz, Zanjan and Manjil back to Tehran. The first part of the article deals with reptiles and amphibians found in the Zagros Mountains.

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A brief report on the longevity in captivity of Podarcis pityusensis and Podarcis lilfordi.

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This is a review of fifty-one non-native species, subspecies, intergrades or hybrids of amphibians and reptiles recorded as living wild in the London Area. Of these fifty-one taxa, referred to here as ‘types’, around twenty-one are amphibians of which fourteen have bred successfully and thirty are reptiles of which just two have been proven to breed. Other types may have bred unrecorded. A rapid increase in the number of types of terrapin in the wild has been observed since trade restrictions on red-eared terrapin importation in 1997. Many new species, mostly North American, but including those from Africa and Australia, can now be found in the wild. The traditional split of Water Frogs into two species and a hybrid has now diversified to include many more types that may interbreed when mixed. The distribution and spread of Water Frogs over the last two hundred years in this part of southeast England is described for the first time. Brief descriptions and identification notes are provided and zoogeographic and historical aspects of colonization are considered. Part 1 refers to distribution and aspects of impacts from the species’ role in the food chain of the communities where they have colonized. The trade in herpetofauna and nature conservation and welfare issues are considered. Aspects of disease impacts and philosophical considerations are described in Part 2.

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Understanding the evolution of thermal tolerance in ectotherms is particularly important given the current period of rapid change in the environment and thermal climate. Specifically, introduced species have the potential to evolve different thermal tolerances than native populations due to rapid evolution and novel selection pressures. Our study examined critical thermal tolerance in two introduced lizard species, the European wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) in Ohio and Kentucky, and the Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) from Texas through Alabama. We tested the hypotheses that critical thermal maximum, minimum, and breadth varies among introduced populations of P. muralis and H. turcicus, and that critical thermal tolerance broadens when moving away from the introduction site, because dispersal across novel environments may remove dispersers with narrow thermal tolerances. We found that among P. muralis populations, CTmin and thermal breadth were significantly different. Specifically, when moving away from the introduction site, lizards exhibited increased cold tolerance and broader thermal breadth. Variability in thermal parameters were also lowest at the site closest to the introduction point in P. muralis. In contrast, H. turcicus had no significant differences in critical thermal minimum, maximum, or breadth among sites, or with respect to distance from introduction point. However, we did find little variability in thermal maximum, compared to greater variability in overall tolerance and critical thermal minimums. Thus, this study shows that selection on thermal tolerance and dispersal characteristics occur in novel climatic environments. Understanding how thermal tolerance changes over time can aid in predicting establishment and movement of introduced species, with applications for native species during a time of global climatic change.

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Telomere length is restored primarily through the action of the reverse transcriptase telomerase, which may contribute to a prolonged lifespan in some but not all species and may result in longer telomeres in one sex than the other. To what extent this is an effect of proximate mechanisms (e.g. higher stress in males, higher oestradiol/oestrogen levels in females), or is an evolved adaptation (stronger selection for telomere length in one sex), usually remains unknown. Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) females have longer telomeres than males and better maintain telomere length through life than males do. We also show that telomere length more strongly contributes to life span and lifetime reproductive success in females than males and that telomere length is under sexually diversifying selection in the wild. Finally, we performed a selection analysis with number of recruited offspring into the adult population as a response variable with telomere length, life span and body size as predictor variables. This showed significant differences in selection pressures between the sexes with strong ongoing selection in females, with these three predictors explaining 63% of the variation in recruitment. Thus, the sexually dimorphic telomere dynamics with longer telomeres in females is a result of past and ongoing selection in sand lizards. Finally, we compared the results from our selection analyses based on Telometric-derived data to the results based on data generated by the software ImageJ. ImageJ resulted in shorter average telomere length, but this difference had virtually no qualitative effect on the patterns of ongoing selection.

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Although most plants depend on different animals for pollination and seed dispersal, sometimes the same animal species provides both functions, being thus involved in what has been termed a ‘double mutualism’. Very little is known on the effectiveness of such species as both pollinators and seed dispersers, and even less on the intraspecific level differences at the contribution of an animal mutualist to plant fitness. In this study, we focused on the interaction between a Mediterranean shrub Cneorum tricoccon (Rutaceae) and the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi (Lacertidae) in order to assess: 1) the role of this lizard as a legitimate pollinator of the plant (previously thought to be exclusively insect‐pollinated), and 2) the intraspecific variation in the use of flowers and fruits by lizard individuals, comparing males, females and juveniles. We further evaluated whether lizards show different fruit size selection depending on sex and age, with potential consequences for seed germination. Lizards visited more flowers and selected more hermaphrodite flowers than insects did, leading to relative increases in both fruit and seed set. Interestingly, female and juvenile lizards were the main flower visitors, whereas males were the main fruit consumers. Males selected the largest fruits (bearing the largest seeds) though this did not increase seed germination, which was only ca 15%. We concluded that P. lilfordi acts as a legitimate pollinator of C. tricoccon and, thus, confirm that this system constitutes a new case of double mutualism, especially common in island compared to mainland systems. Moreover, our findings show a large variation among conspecific individuals in their role as either pollinators or seed dispersers, with potential implications for plant reproductive success. Our study, therefore, highlights the importance of evaluating plant–animal interactions at the intraspecific level, and calls for more in‐depth studies on the consequences of such intraspecific variation.

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Anthropogenic activity often results in habitat fragmentation that can negatively impact biodiversity by destroying viable habitat and reducing the connectivity of the landscape. Anthropogenic features (such as rail ways) can also have the opposite effect, facilitating the expansion of certain species. Here we demonstrate such a case, wherein anthropogenic activity and structures facilitate the dispersal of a species whose capacity for territorial expansion is limited in the natural environment. Using habitat suitability and connectivity models, we show that the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) most likely prefers railways as a means to disperse into new habitats and/or maintain population connectivity across a fragmented habitat (i.e. from their southern populations, moving north along rail way tracks to colonize new suitable habitats). Furthermore, we predict the route and location of future colonization events based on availability of viable habitats and corridors to them. The potential impact of this invasion is estimated to be relatively low.

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For the study purposes, in 1971., five pairs of Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, were transfered from their native island Pod Kopište onto Pod Mrčara island. After 36 years scientists discovered that translocated lizard species wiped out the indigenous lizard species (Podarcis melisellensis) and rapid adaptive evolution occured. They found differences in morphology, anatomy, physiology and bihavioural changes between individuals on this two islands. Our aim was to determine differences in aggression between populations and between gender within and between this two island populations. The research was carried out on 42 individuals of P. siculus from Pod Mrčara and 50 individuals from Pod Kopište. Prior to the experimental procedure, individuals passed the three-day habituation period followed by open field testing in which we investigated three main behavioral categories related to interacting with another lizars (tolerance, aggression and retreat) and time spent in the central arena zone as an indicator of dominance. The research have shown that both males and females from Pod Kopište are more aggressive then both males and females from Pod Mrčara, and that in general the population from Pod Kopište is more aggressive and dominant. Furthermore, the results have shown that aggression and retreat are related, so the more aggressive population from Pod Kopište is retreating more.

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Age variations by linear size and body proportions have been studied in population of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758). It has been established, that not only linear body size increases, but also body proportions have a lot of changes. It is shown that four stages of maturity (juvenis, subadultus, adultus, adultus-senex) are well-defined by linear size, body proportions and reproductive organs in postembryonic development of this species.

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The use of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) as a measure of developmental instability and its relationship to stress and fitness is highly controversial. We examined whether the selection of different FA indices and traits influences the results of FA analysis. We chose four meristic traits and three FA indices (two single-trait and two multiple-trait indices) to assess FA levels in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) from three different habitat types (urban, suburban and natural). Urbanization has already been linked to developmental instability in P. muralis. We therefore expected to detect different FA levels among the habitats. However, we also wanted to see whether we obtained the same patterns using different indices and traits. Our results showed that different traits can yield different FA patterns between habitats. The only statistically significant difference between habitats was detected for the FA2 index in femoral pores. The highest level of FA was detected in the urban population, while the lowest level was in the natural population. It is clear that caution must be exerted when deciding on which traits and indices are to be used for FA analysis

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Labelled testosterone- and oestradiol-binding molecules have been found in the cytosol and nuclei of lizard testes. DNA-cellulose affinity chromatography was used to separate putative sex-steroid-binding receptors (adhering molecules) and nonreceptor components (nonadhering molecules). A putative androgen receptor (Kd: 10(-10) mol l-1; 3-9 fmol g-1 tissue) was found mainly in the nuclei of testicular cells when actively undergoing spermatogenesis. This suggests that, as in higher vertebrates, testosterone is implicated in spermatogenetic step regulation (meiosis and spermiogenesis) in lizard testis. In the cytosol, testosterone-binding molecules (Kd: 10(-9) mol l-1; 384-784 fmol g-1 tissue) with several properties of androgen-binding proteins are present from autumn to spring. The behaviour of these molecules is consistent with the role assigned to androgen-binding proteins as androgen reservoir. A putative oestrogen receptor is present throughout the sexual cycle, except during the culmination phase (breeding). The putative oestrogen receptor may be involved in the regulation of the first spermatogenetic step (spermatogonia multiplication) and in the induction of post-reproductive refractoriness. This phase is present in temperate-zone lizards. These studies show that the evaluation of sex-steroid-binding molecules is useful in considering the relationships between sex hormones and spermatogenetic activity in the testes of lizards

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Podarcis muralis was identified on Moldova Veche Island (Romania), although naturallythe island lacks the species` appropriate habitats. P. muralis occurs in artificial habitats represented by stony piers. Probably, some individuals were brought by chance to the island together with the stones used for the pier. P. muralis is limited to this artificial habitat, without any possibility of further distribution.

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The island syndrome is a phenomenon in which high density island populations exhibit reduced aggression, decreased sexual dimorphism and decreased energy allocation to reproduction. The reversed island syndrome was observed in a fluctuating density, blue coloured population of Podarcis siculus klemmeri, which had higher levels of aggressivity and sexual dimorphism. The aim of this seminar paper was to compare the behavioral traits of tolerance, aggressivity and retreat in island and mainland population of Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) by analyzing video-recordings of conducted behavioral trials in an open-type arena. The island population consisted of 5 pairs of males from the Pijavica island and the mainland population of 5 pairs of males from Kaštela. Males of high density population of the Pijavica island are normally coloured, while those of the land population have blue and yellow coloration of the ventral part of the body and head. During the analysis, all encounters were recorded and assigned to a predefined type and category of behavior. Males from the island population had 100 % tolerant encounters, while 3 pairs of land population showed encounters of aggressivity and retreat. Former characteristics of the island population correspond to the definition of island syndrome, which can be explained by reduced predation pressure and decreased interspecific competition.

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Urbanization is predominantly linked with negative effects on wildlife. Indeed, numerous human-induced environmental changes (e.g. habitat fragmentation and destruction, pollution, etc.) have a devastating effect on indigenous wildlife. However, urbanization, trough creating pockets of supernatural habitats, can have a positive effect on indigenous species. In our study, we wanted to examine how urbanization level (urban, suburban and natural habitats) affects Podarcis muralis populations across the Vojvodina region, Serbia. We tested (A) lizard’s pileus: (1) size and shape, (2) fluctuating asymmetry (FA), (3) allometry, (4) modularity, and (5) phenodeviant frequencies and (B) meristic traits (supraciliar plates, sublabial plates, subdigital lamellae of 4th hind limb toes, femoral pores): (1) fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Pileus examination gave some peculiar results: unexpectedly high FA level was observed in the natural population. On the other hand, analysis of meristic traits showed high FA in urban population. Importantly, some meristic characters revealed different patterns of FA, suggesting that caution must be practiced when deciding what characters are more appropriate for FA analysis. In addition, we built an ecological niche model for the populations inhabiting the Vojvodina region (consisted predominantly of anthropogenic habitats) and compared it with the one obtained for central and southern Serbia, where lizards mainly occupy natural habitats. With this comparison, we wanted to see what the similarities between natural and anthropogenic habitats are, and which environmental factors limit/enable common wall lizard to successfully inhabit urbanized areas.

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Immunolabelling for RhoV and actin in early regenerating tail of the lizard Podarcis muralis suggests involvement in epithelial and mesenchymal cell motility. Acta Zoologica, Stockolm. Immunolabelling for RhoV and α‐smooth muscle actin, genes that are highly expressed in the regenerating tail of lizards, shows that a main protein band immunolabelled for RhoV is seen at 65–70 kDa and only a weak band at 22–24 kDa. This suggests that alteration occurred during extraction or is due to biochemical processing of the protein. RhoV immunolabelled cells are present in apical and proximal regenerating epidermis during scale neogenesis. The apical ependyma is labelled but labelling fades and disappears in medial‐proximal regions, near the original spinal cord. Differentiating muscles and cartilage show low labelling. Ultrastructural immunolocalization of RhoV in wound keratinocytes shows labelling in regions containing actin filaments that associate with tonofilaments and desmosomes while a low labelling is present in mesenchymal cells. Filamentous regions of the nucleus, nuclear membrane and the nucleolus are immune‐labelled for RhoV. Similar localization is seen for actin that is present along the perimeters of keratinocytes associated with tonofilaments, in elongations of mesenchymal cells, in muscle satellite cells, endothelial and pericytes of blood vessels. It is suggested that RhoV and actin are associated in the dynamic cytoskeleton needed for the movements of epidermal and mesenchymal cells and in endothelial cells forming new blood vessels.

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Serial sections of 29 Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758 embryos on the successive developmental stages, stained with hematoxylin-eosin or alcian blue-hematoxylin-eosin, were examined. It was found that trabecula cranii, acrochordal cartilage and pilae metopticae are the initial components of the orbito-temporal region of L. agilis scull. Taenia marginalis emerges first in embryogenesis and then taenia medialis forms. Frontal parts of taenia marginalis, that are the split-type structures, originate from planum supraseptale and their posterior parts originate from pilae accessoriae. Fenestra septalis forms due to thinning of the medial part of interorbital septum. Key words: skull development, reptiles, orbito-temporal region, interorbital septum, taenia marginalis, taenia medialis, planum supraseptale, pilae metopticae, pilae accessoriae, pilae antoticae.

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Fire is one of the main disturbances to terrestrial environments, transforming habitat structure and affecting community composition. Coupled with fire, forest type and vegetation structure modulate the taxonomic response to fire by ectotherm organisms such as reptiles. The response of each reptile species to fire is based on their functional attributes, which make some species resilient to fire and others vulnerable to that disturbance and only adapted to long-unburnt landscapes. We studied the functional response of a reptile community at 13 burnt sites within the African rim of the Western Mediterranean, and in two contrasting forest types, i.e. native cork oak forests (five sites) and pine plantations (eight sites). We compiled seven functional traits for the reptile species in the study areas, and quantified reptile functional diversity at each sampled plot. Variation in this index was examined from burnt to nearby unburnt plots, both in cork oak and pine forests, with generalized linear mixed models. Redundancy analysis was used to identify which functional traits were associated with particular plot types. We found 2149 individual reptiles from 15 species. The functional response of reptiles to fire was forest-type dependent: functional richness did not change with fire in cork oak forest plots, but increased with fire in the pine plantation ones. High reptile functional richness in cork oak plots was due to high species richness in this forest type. The functional-redundancy analysis showed that cork oak forest hosts a reptile community functionally composed of small Mediterranean ground- and rock-dwelling lizards. In pine plantation plots, however, saxicolous geckos and phytophagous tortoises indicate the availability of other microhabitat and food resources to be exploited by reptile species with different functional traits.

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The Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are a superfamily of molecular chaperones that maintain cellular homeostasis under stress. HSP70 represents the major stress-inducible family member, often activated in response to changes in thermal ranges of organisms, and therefore playing an important role enhancing thermal tolerance limits in ectothermic animals. The present study aimed to investigate the presence and the localization of HSP70 through the development of Podarcis siculus, an oviparous lizard inhabiting temperate Mediterranean regions, showing a limited potential to tolerate thermal changes during embryogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that HSP70 protein is constitutively present in early embryonic stages, abundantly distributed in eye, in encephalic domains (predominantly in ventricular areas and in grey matter), in grey matter of spinal cord, in lung, gut mucosa, hepatic cords and kidney tubules. Interestingly, a severe drop in incubation temperature (5 °C for 3 days) does not induce enhancements in HSP70 levels nor changes in tissues localization. These results suggest that the HSP70 found in P. siculus embryos represents a non-inducible, constitutive molecular chaperone that should be better called Heat Shock Cognate 70 (HSC70); the presence of stress-induced members of the HSP family in P. siculus has yet to be proven

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Some details on the diet and commensal behaviour of Sicilian Lizards in Tuscany, Italy.

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Femoral gland secretions are believed to play an important role in chemical communication and social organization of lizards. In spite of this, few studies have investigated the chemical composition and the behavioural roles of these secretions. The lacertid lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus is a good example, having these well-developed glands in both sexes. We used GC–MS chemical analysis of gland secretions and y-maze choice test bioassays to investigate the ability of the lizards to detect and respond to different synthetic blends made from compounds identified in the gland secretions. Based upon the GC–MS quantification data, we selected representatives of the main chemical groups (steroids, alcohols, acids, alkanes) detected in the lizard secretions and used these in a behavioural bioassay against controls. Males showed significant avoidance behaviour for cholesterol and alcohol blends, combined with agonistic behaviour towards these stimuli. Females did not show any significant selection to particular odour combinations. The data support the hypotheses that lizards can potentially use femoral gland secretions in chemical odour trails and utilize scent to mark territories and potentially also to establish dominance hierarchies. Cholesterol and long chain alcohols are suggested as potential candidates functioning as scent marking pheromones in A. boskianus.

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Based on several recent herpetological surveys, as well as data from the literature and the collection of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, the knowledge about the herpetofauna of Rhodes is summarized and a new species list is prepared. The following species have regularly been encountered: Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax cerigensis, Mauremys rivulata, Hemidactylus turcicus, Laudakia stellio, Ophisops elegans, Lacerta trilineata, Anatolacerta oertzeni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Chalcides ocellatus, Trachylepis aurata, Blanus strauchi, Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis sp., Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois nummifer, Zamenis situla, Natrix natrix and Telescopus fallax. The taxonomic status of the occurring whip snakes is discussed. Mediodactylus kotschyi has been added to the island fauna because of some records in the South part of the island. The occurrence of Testudo graeca, Pseudopus apodus and Natrix tessellata was put into question because their mention in older literature remained unconfirmed. Recent single records of Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Malpolon monspessulanus, Testudo graeca and Testudo hermanni are listed and their status is discussed. Die Herpetofauna von Rhodos wird aufgrund von Literaturdaten, Sammlungsmaterial des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien sowie Ergebnissen diverser herpetologischer Exkursionen aufgelistet. Verbreitungskarten aller nachgewiesenen Arten sowie eine aktuelle herpetologische Faunenliste werden erstellt. Folgende Arten wurden regelmäßig und wiederholt festgestellt: Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax cerigensis, Mauremys rivulata, Hemidactylus turcicus, Laudakia stellio, Ophisops elegans, Lacerta trilineata, Anatolacerta oertzeni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Chalcides ocellatus, Trachylepis aurata, Blanus strauchi, Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis sp., Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois nummifer, Zamenis situla, Natrix natrix, Telescopus fallax. Der taxonomische Status der Springnatter wird diskutiert. Aufgrund mehrerer aktueller Funde wird Mediodactylus kotschyi ergänzend zur Herpetofauna von Rhodos hinzugefügt und das Auftreten folgender Arten, deren Vorkommen in der Literatur regelmäßig für Rhodos angegeben wurde, in Frage gestellt: Testudo graeca, Pseudopus apodus, Natrixm tessellata. Aktuelle Einzelfunde gelangen von Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Malpolon monspessulanus, Testudo graeca und Testudo hermanni, deren Status diskutiert wird.

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The present study investigated the reptilian fauna in Amasya Province, Turkey. Reptile species were identified from collections made during field studies or recorded in literature, with some new locality records obtained. Field studies were undertaken over two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). Two lacertid species, one skink species, two colubrid species and one viper species were officially recorded for the first time or their information was updated. In addition to species locality records, chorotypical and habitat selection were also assessed and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species criteria included. Data on the distribution and locality information for each taxon is also provided. Our findings demonstrate that Amasya might be an ecotone zone between the Mediterranean, Caucasian, and European ecosystems. Although there are some concerns for the sustainable dynamics of reptilian fauna, relatively rich and different European nature information system habitat types provide basic survival conditions for reptilian fauna in the province.

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In the last 20 years or so, Horvath’s Rock Lizard Iberolacerta horvathi has been found at over 40 new sites, allowing us to describe a more realistic distribution pattern of the species and to provide novel elements for its understanding. In Italy, the species is distributed only in the north-eastern extremity in 37 UTM squares. Records in the Carnic Prealps and in Veneto have greatly increased. The first quantitative data on the species in Italy, coming from two areas (one in the Carnic Alps, the other in the Julian Alps), show high variability among the months in which it was censused. Although impacts and threats are generally considered to be not very serious, there are factors that can affect (in some cases having done so already) even populations living in apparently safe sites, e.g. interventions in environments deriving from human activity, construction works and meteorological events caused by climate change.

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A reproducing population of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) is reported from the Czech Silesia (Czech Republic) for the first time. The lizards live in the ruins of the castle Šelenburk which is located on the Cvilín Hill near the town Krnov. This finding extends the known range of P. muralis from the nearest known Moravian locality cca 60 km to the North-West.

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Intraspecific variation in morphology has often been related to fitness differences through its effects on performance. In lizards, variation in hind limb length can be shaped by natural selection for increased locomotor performance, sexual selection on the number or size of femoral pores involved in chemical signalling, or both. Here, we analyse the selective forces involved in sexual dimorphism and differences in hind limb length between two populations of Psammodromus algirus living at different elevation. Males were more robust and had longer hind limbs and limb segments than females, and low-elevation lizards had longer limbs than high-elevation lizards. However, differences in locomotor performance were small and non-significant, making natural selection for faster runs an unlikely explanation for the observed pattern. On the other hand, males had more femoral pores than females, and lizards had more pores at lower elevation, although the difference was significant only for males (which invest more in chemical signalling). In males, the number of pores, which remains constant along a lizard`s life, was not correlated with hind limb length. However, femur length was positively correlated with mean pore size, allowing low-elevation males to have larger than expected pores, which could increase the effectiveness with which they spread their signals in a dry and warm habitat where chemicals become volatile rapidly. Also, saturation of the sexual coloration of the head was higher for low-elevation males, suggesting that sexual selection pressures may be more intense. Overall, our results indicate that sexual selection plays a significant role in shaping intraspecific variation in hind limb length.

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The Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi) is a rupicolous mountain species endemic of the eastern Alps and northern Dinaric range. The species has its known western limit of the distribution in the Veneto region of Italy. It is not known whether the species is really rare in Veneto or whether the area has been insufficiently surveyed. In addition, it is not known whether the westward distribution of the species is limited by a physiographic or by a climatic barrier. During the period 2016-2018, 118 sites were surveyed in the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. Four new occurrences of Iberolacerta horvathi were discovered in Veneto that: 1) largely fill the gap between the westernmost known site and the closest site to the east; 2) extend further west the known distribution by 9 km. In addition the species was confirmed in three already known sites. A species distribution model was developed with the software MaxEnt, using 100 occurrences from Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The best model shows that the distribution is explained by the asperity of their habitat, the sedimentary bedrock, the aspect, the average temperature of the coldest quarter, the rainfall seasonality and the average summer rainfall. The last variable appears as the most likely responsible for the rarefaction of the species at its western limit. In addition, the species distribution model suggest that the Horvath’s rock lizard might be present in some additional mountain groups where it has so far not been found yet

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The herpetofauna of Saint Honorat island is relatively poor and consists of common species. The Leaf-toed gecko, Euleptes europaea, is still missing yet. However, the island remains original from herpetological terms, as it represents the only population of French Mediterranean coast of western green lizard, Lacerta b. bilineata. Only two stations of the species have been observed on the island during surveys. We suspect a negative interaction with the Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchidus, occurring here in high abundance.

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The microscopic details of the failure of digit regeneration in lizards are not known. The present study reports some histological, ultrastructural and 5BrdU-immunohistochemical observations on healing digits after amputation in the lizard Podarcis muralis. At 7-12 days post-amputation, the stump of digits forms a multilayered wound epidermis covering a loose connective tissue that is invaded by granulocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition to macrophages also electron-pale multinuclear giant cells are seen underneath or penetrating the wound epidermis while osteoclasts are present in the degrading bone of the severed phalanges. Granulocytes and macrophages invading the wound epidermis indicate the formation of an intra-epidermal immune barrier beneath the scab where numerous bacteria remain entrapped. Immunofluorescence for 5BrdU reveals that few proliferating cells are present in the wound epidermis and the underlying connective tissue at 12 and 32 days post-amputation. Outgrowths of less than 1 mm stop growing and at 32 days they appear scaling. Most of connective cells give rise to fibrocytes and large irregular collagen bundles, as is typical for scar tissue. In conclusion, like for the amputated limb, the intense inflammatory reaction and scarring here described after digit loss appears associated with immune cells invasion.

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1. Understanding proximate determinants of predation rates is a central question in ecology. Studies often use functional response (density dependent) or allometric (mass dependent) models but approaches that consider multiple factors are critical to capture the complexity in predator–prey interactions. We present a novel comprehensive approach to understand predation rates based on field data obtained from a vertebrate predator. 2. Estimates of food consumption and prey abundance were obtained from 21 semi-natural populations of the lizard Zootoca vivipara. We identified the most parsimonious feeding rate function exploring allometric, simple functional response and allometric functional response models. Each group included effects of sex and weather conditions. 3. Allometric models reveal the importance of predator mass and sex: larger females have the highest natural feeding rates. Functional response models show that the effect of prey density is best represented by a Holling type II response model with a mass, sex and weather dependent attack rate and a constant handling time. However, the best functional response model only received moderate support compared to simpler allometric models based only on predator mass and sex. 4. Despite this limited effect of prey densities on feeding rates, we detected a significant negative relationship between an index of preferred prey biomass and lizard density. 5. Functional response models that ignore individual variation are likely to misrepresent trophic interactions. However, simpler models based on individual traits may be best supported by some data than complex allometric functional responses. These results illustrate the importance of considering individual, population and environmental effects while also exploring simple models.

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The Scaled Sandveld Lizard Nucras scalaris Laurent, 1964 is a poorly known lacertid endemic to north-eastern Angola and is only known from the type series collected more than half a century ago. The original description provided a comprehensive morphological description, but there was a lack of information regarding its evolutionary relationships and habitat associations. A recent discovery of N. scalaris from Cusseque, Bié Province, on the central Angolan plateau provided the opportunity to address some knowledge gaps of this species. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed its distinctiveness at the species level. Despite a limited dataset, the analysis suggests that N. scalaris is sister to N. broadleyi rather than N. lalandii, the latter having been assumed to be the sister species, because of morphological similarity between them. The new record of N. scalaris represents a range extension of more than 350 km to the southwest and extends the elevation range to 1570 m above sea level, compared to previous known localities at about 1 300 m above sea level (Alto Cuílo and Alto Chicapa, in Lunda Sul Province). The specimen also provides new information on live coloration, as well as the habitat association of grassy shrubland that is dominated by geoxylic suffrutices (the so-called ‘underground forests’) characteristic of the Angolan Miombo Woodlands. This new information raises the question whether poor survey data have led to an under-estimation of faunal diversity in this peculiar and overlooked vegetation type, and reinforces the need for further surveys which could highlight the importance of this habitat.

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Biological invasions represent ideal systems for the study of evolutionary processes associated with colonization events. It has been hypothesized that the genetic diversity is generally decreasing from the centre of the range to the margins due to multiple founder events. Invasive populations offer the opportunity to test this hypothesis at a fine spatial and temporal scale. We analysed the genetic structure of a large expanding non-native population of the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) in Passau (Germany) using thirteen microsatellite loci. We analyzed the genetic structure and levels of admixture across a transect reflecting the expansion process and tested for a loss of genetic diversity and an increase of genetic differentiation from the centre to the invasion front. Our results demonstrate that significant genetic population structure can emerge rapidly at a small spatial scale. We found a trend for an increase in genetic differentiation and a decrease in genetic diversity from the invasion centre to the expanding range margin, suggesting that genetic drift is the major factor causing this pattern. The correlation between genetic diversity and average genetic differentiation was significant among sites. We hypothesize that the territoriality of P. muralis generates sufficient rates of noncontiguous and stratified dispersal from longer established sites to maintain significant genetic diversity at the invasion front. Simultaneously, territoriality might restrict the colonization success of migrants at established sites, so that in combination with founder events a strong differentiation arises.

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This study focuses on the spring diet and biometric variability in Podarcis vaucheriduring May and July in the Tazaregion in 2019.We present the first data on the diet of this species in Taza National Park. The analysis of 28 stomach contents allowed us to identify 161 prey, divided into 15 food categories, one of which includes unidentified taxa. During the study period, Podarcis vaucherishowed a generalist diet based on arthropods. The five most ingested prey are: Hymenoptera, Larvae, Spiders, Ants and Beetles. The comparison of the morphology of the two sexes shows a significant difference of a few biometric characters that are in favour of males. This morphological heterogeneity reveals an apparent sexual dimorphism in Podarcis vaucheriof the Oued Taza gorges

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In the lacertid Podarcis siculus the reproductive cycle is typically biphasic, with alternate recrudescence (Spring and Fall) and resting (Summer and Winter) phases. This study aimed to shed some light on the role exerted by progesterone during the two recrudescence periods; to this purpose, exogenous progesterone was administered intraperitoneally and the effects on oogonial proliferation, oocyte recruitment, and follicle cells apoptosis were determined. The presence and distribution of progesterone receptors was also investigated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results indicate that progesterone would play different roles and follow different route of action in the two recrudescence periods thus confirming the complexity of the mechanisms controlling oogenesis in this species of vertebrate.

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Measuring the intensity of sexual selection is of fundamental importance to the study of sexual dimorphism, population dynamics, and speciation. Several indices, pools of individuals, and fitness proxies are used in the literature, yet their relative performances are strongly debated. Using 12 independent common lizard populations, we manipulated the adult sex ratio, a potentially important determinant of the intensity of sexual selection at a particular time and place. We investigated differences in the intensity of sexual selection, as estimated using three standard indices of sexual selection - the standardized selection gradient (b_), the opportunity of selection (I ), and the Bateman gradient (bss)-calculated for different pools of individuals and different fitness proxies.We show that results based on estimates of I were the opposite of those derived from the other indices, whereas results based on estimates of b_ were consistent with predictions derived from knowledge about the species’ mating system. In addition, our estimates of the strength and direction of sexual selection depended on both the fitness proxy used and the pool of individuals included in the analysis. These observations demonstrate inconsistencies in distinct measures of sexual selection and underscore the need for caution when comparing studies and species.

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Totally, 106 lacertid lizards of two species, Anatololacerta anatolica (n=63) and Darevskia rudis (n=43), from Bursa Province, Turkey, were examined for helminth parasites. In Anatololacerta anatolica, one species of Cestoda, Mesocestoides sp. (tetrathyridium), four species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon saxicolae, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni and Ascarops strongylina (larva in cysts), and one species of Acanthocephala, Plagiorhynchus sp. (cystacanth), were found. In Darevskia rudis, two nematode species, Skrjabinodon medinae and Spauligodon saxicolae, were recorded. The helminth species reported in this study are generalists infecting more than one host species.

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Observation and dissection of the urogenital system of an adult Lacerta vivipara was conducted.The results showed that:the excretory system was composed of kidney,ureter and cloaca,the kidney on the left side of the body was bigger than the one on the right side;the reproductive system of adult male L.vivipara was composed of the testis,spermaduct,epididymis,and hemipenis;the left spermary of the male was bigger and slightly closer to the head than the right spermary.The reproductive system of the adult female was composed of an ovary and oviduct.The size of the ovary on the left side of the body was the same as the one on the right side,whereas the left ovary was higher than the right one.During the reproductive period,the L.vivipara`s sex gland became obviously larger than the same sex gland after the reproductive period.Besides,the reproductive system of L.vivipara was similar to these of other oviparous and ovoviviparous lizards.

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The goal of this study was to evaluate P450 aromatase localization in the epididymis of two different vertebrates: the lizard Podarcis sicula, a seasonal breeder, and Rattus rattus, a continuous breeder. P450 aromatase is a key enzyme involved in the local control of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis and we proved for the first time that this enzyme is represented in the epididymis of both P. sicula and R. rattus. In details, P450 aromatase was well represented in epithelial and myoid cells and in the connective tissue of P. sicula epididymis during the reproductive period; instead, during autumnal resumption this enzyme was absent in the connective tissue. During the non-reproductive period, P450 aromatase was localized only in myoid cells of P. sicula epididymis, whereas in R. rattus it was localized both in myoid cells and connective tissue. Our findings, the first on the epididymis aromatase localization in the vertebrates, suggest a possible role of P450 aromatase in the control of male genital tract function, particularly in sperm maturation.

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The protected Area „Engerser Feld“ ist part of the Neuwied basin between the Upper and the Lower Middle Rhine Valley. On the shore of the Rhine, the village-enclosed „Engerser Feld“ is charcteeized by agricultural use and sand and gravel quarries. In the ensuing man-made habitats, there are European Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768). Some lizards of the subspecies brongniardii came from the surrounding hills with stone transportation by carriage and truck, mainly in the second half of the last century, and some dispersed along the railroad line; in xeric habitat, which was enlarged by the tearing down of buildings and paved storage areas, they live in flat areas, but prefer little loamy or sandy slopes where the usually light brown or light gray lizards tend to a more yellowish coloration. In the xeric areas, these lizards replace the Sand Lizard (Lacerta a. agilis Linnaeus 1758), which used to be the only lacertid in the area, but prefers a less sunny and more mesic habitat,. On a southern-oriented, partly unshaded bulwark wall, a southern clade (Southern Alps clade) of the Wall Lizard (subspecies maculiventris) has established a small population. These lizards prefer a vertical structure as a center habitat and only forages into flat areas. They need a higher temperature for activity (about two centigrades). In spite oft he last warm summers, the wall now shows individuals with a darker coloration (ground colour and markings); they heat up more easily especially in spring and fall, and they have driven the individuals with lighter coloration into less favorable habitats. Both subspecies are in contact, but mix only slowly, maybe due to their different preferred activity temperatures.

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We carried out total statistical analysis of fluctuating asymmetry of bilateral traits (number of femoral pores - P.f. and number of supralabial scales - Lab.) for two populations of Zootoca vivipara from Perm region. For integral estimation of FA value, using algorithm of convolution, statistically significant differences between studied populations were found in male`s sample and in the united sample of males and females. We found that there is no statistically significant difference (using χ2 criteria) in occurrence frequency between two studied populations.

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The Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) has existed in southwestern British Columbia since 1967, but expanded its range rapidly in the last decade. In 2006, P. muralis was thought restricted to 4 populations on southeastern Vancouver Island: 3 on the Saanich Peninsula and 1 in the Triangle Mountain area. However, increased reporting and exploration led to the recognition that these populations have merged. Further, P. muralis have also appeared along the eastern side of Vancouver Island north to Campbell River; and on Denman Island. In 2015, P. muralis was also reported from two BC mainland locations: Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan, and the city of Vancouver. Introduced lacertid populations are reported to spread from their points of origin at a relatively slow rate (∼1 km every 10 y), so given that P. muralis has been found at least 200 km north, 300 km west, and from Vancouver Island to Denman Island and the British Columbia mainland over the last 52 y, human-assisted dispersal likely contributed to its apparently rapid radial expansion in southwestern BC. As they expand into rural and protected areas on Vancouver Island, P. muralis may have increasing opportunities to interact with the native Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea). Where E. coerulea and P. muralis coexist on southern Vancouver Island, the latter seems more abundant, which raises concern and warrants study.

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The successful regrowth of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons after optic nerve (ON) axotomy in Gallotia galloti indicates a permissive role of the glial environment. We have characterised the astroglial lineage of the lizard optic pathway throughout its ontogeny (embryonic stage 30 [E30] to adults) by using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry to detect the proliferation marker PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), the transcription factor Pax2 and the gliofilament proteins vimentin (Vim) and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). PCNA+ cells were abundant until E39, with GFAP+/PCNA+ astrocytes being observed between E37 and hatching. Proliferation diminished markedly afterwards, being undetectable in the adult optic pathway. Müller glia of the central retina expressed Pax2 from E37 and their endfeet accumulated Vim from E33 and GFAP from E37 onwards. Astrocytes were absent in the avascular lizard retina, whereas abundant Pax2+ astrocytes were observed in the ON from E30. A major subpopulation of these astrocytes coexpressed Vim from E35 and also GFAP from E37 onwards; thus the majority of mature astrocytes coexpressed Pax2/Vim/GFAP. The astrocytes were ultrastructurally identified by their gliofilaments, microtubules, dense bodies, desmosomes and glycogen granules, which preferentially accumulated in cell processes. Astrocytes in the adult ON coexpressed both gliofilaments and presented desmosomes indicating a reinforcement of the ON structure; this is physiologically necessary for local adaptation to mechanical forces linked to eye movement. We suggest that astrocytes forming this structural scaffold facilitate the regrowth of RGCs after ON transection.

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We tested the ability in the ruin lizard (Podarcis siculus) to discriminate between odour of a predator (the whip snake Hierophis viridiflavus) and those from harmless sources. We analysed two lizard populations: one (PP) predated by snakes and another (PNP) where no snakes occur. We tested the rate of tongue flick directed to cotton-tips impregnated with odours, and the rate of tongue flick, the time spent in immobility, escaping and exploring the terrarium containing a diffuse odour. We used the smell of the snake as dangerous stimulus, water as blank control, and cologne as complex control. Both populations did not discriminate snake cue from complex odour in both the experiments. PP individuals were more active and prone to analysing and exploring the stimuli and the environment than PNP lizards. In PP, the higher interest towards cologne and snake scents could be triggered just by their complexity that requires more tongue flicks to be ‘analysed’, with no apparent adaptive anti-predatory value. Overall, we observed a total responsiveness and activity pattern higher in the PP respect to PNP.

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Four hibernation sites of the common lizard (Zootoca vivípara Jacq. 1787) were described in the northern and southern taiga of Western Siberia. The depth of their location (10-15 cm) was similar in the natural habitat (the peat soil of a felled area in a birch-pine forest with Ledum palustre and Cladonia and Cladina lichens) and in the anthropogenic habitat (the soil of gardens). In search of Z. vivipara hibernation sites in Western Siberia, an area of 0.2 ha where the lizard permanently inhabit nearby the city of Tomsk (56°30` N, 84°53` E) was thoroughly examined. However, no lizards were found in rotten trunks or grass sod and coverts (tree waste, wind fallen trees, bark pieces, decayed boards). The observations of lizards kept in an open-air enclosure showed a serious danger they face during wintering periods on the land surface (tree waste, moss), in the upper soil layer (2-4 CM) and in holes of small rodents: most of wintering lizards in our experimental enclosure were killed by rodents. Our results and published data evidence that hibernation sites of common lizards in Western Siberia are located mainly in the upper soil layer (10-15 CM), but not on the soil surface.

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This note presents photographic material and a detailed description of a concolor morph in Podarcis erhardii (Bedriaga, 1882) and the first published record of this morph on Alonissos. Data on the observation and a short review of the literature are also given.

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In 2018–2019, isolated sandy habitats in the Ferghana oasis were surveyed. The reptile communities in the sands had a similar structure and very high population density, reaching up to 144 ind./ha. In all habi- tats, two racerunner species absolutely predominated, namely, Eremias velox and Eremias scripta, which accounted from 56.9 to 94.5% of the total abundance. In some habitats the dominants included Rusta- mov’s plate-tailed gecko and Strauch’s toad-headed agama. Three endemic lizard species (Phrynocephalus strauchi, Eremias scripta pherganensis, and Teratoscincus scincus rustamowi) had high population density and were classified as common or numerous. They accounted for an average of 52% (34–74%) of the total reptile abundance. The relationship among reptiles and their distribution in their biotopes were described. The current status of the habitats was assessed and few factors affecting the number of reptiles were considered. Due to plowing and watering, the area of sand habitats has decreased by 3.7 times since 1960 (down to about 180 km2). The only protected area (the Yazyavan natural monu- ment) is not enough to maintain the biodiversity of these isolated desert habitats. It is necessary to enlarge the protected area by including several large massifs in several parts of the Fergana Valley. The total area of refuges in this case will be about 95 km2.

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The paper presents materials on growing and winter hibernation of the Hyrcanian meadow lizard, Darevskia praticola hyrcanica, in artificial conditions. Juveniles were obtained from the captive breeding of lizards caught on the typical locality of this subspecies (Gadazyghahi Natural Boundary, the Talysh Mountains, Astara District, Azerbaijan) in the first decade of May, 2016. Immediately after leaving the eggs, newborn lizards were placed in groups of 5 specimens each into plastic 39×28×28 cm containers. Six groups were formed in total, and our research involved 30 lizards. The animals from the first three containers received only two-spotted crickets, Grillus bimaculatus, as feed (the control group). The liz- ards from the second three containers ate speckled cockroaches, Nauphoeta cinerea only (the experimen- tal group). The feed was offered to the lizards every other day. The growing lasted 450 days. The weight gain, survival and feed costs per unit weight of the animal (feed coefficient) were investigated. After growing the animals were placed into wintering rooms, where they were kept without feeding for 60 days at a temperature between 4–11oC. It was noted that during 450 days of growing the cockroach-fed lizards did not differ in weight from the cricket-fed animals. The feed coefficient of young meadow lizard grow- ing with cockroach (11.7–14.3) was similar to that of the animals that ate their traditional food, crickets (12.3–12.7). The survival rate of young lizards in different containers for 450 days of cultivation on both feed types was 100%. The lizards that ate cockroaches showed a better survival rate (100%) in the period of winter hibernation than the animals from the control group (86.6%).

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On the territory of the Saratov region, the populations of viviparous lizards mainly inhabit the river val- leys of the Don basin. Most populations were found along the sides of lake basins. In the conditions of the drying up of floodplain lakes, some populations have degraded while the others have moved to river-bed biotopes. The reduction in the number of local populations has led to their increased disconnection. The disconnection of populations in the marginal areas of the habitat determines the need to preserve the pro- tected status of the species in the Red Data book of the Saratov region.

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In the last few years, DNA barcoding became an established method for species identification in biodiversity inventories and monitoring studies. Such studies depend on the access to a comprehensive reference data base, covering all relevant taxa. Here we present a comprehensive DNA barcode inventory of all amphibian and reptile species native to Austria, except for the putatively extinct Vipera ursinii rakosiensis and Lissotriton helveticus, which has been only recently reported for the very western edge of Austria. A total of 194 DNA barcodes were generated in the framework of the Austrian Barcode of Life (ABOL) initiative. Species identification via DNA barcodes was successful for most species, except for the hybridogenetic species complex of water frogs (Pelophylax spp.) and the crested newts (Triturus spp.), in areas of sympatry. However, DNA barcoding also proved powerful in detecting deep conspecific lineages, e.g. within Natrix natrix or the wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), resulting in more than one Barcode Index Number (BIN) per species. Moreover, DNA barcodes revealed the presence of Natrix helvetica, which has been elevated to species level only recently, and genetic signatures of the Italian water frog Pelophylax bergeri in Western Austria for the first time. Comparison to previously published DNA barcoding data of European amphibians and reptiles corroborated the results of the Austrian data but also revealed certain peculiarities, underlining the particular strengths and in the case of the genus Pelophylax also the limitations of DNA barcoding. Consequently, DNA barcoding is not only powerful for species identification of all life stages of most Austrian amphibian and reptile species, but also for the detection of new species, the monitoring of gene flow or the presence of alien populations and/or species. Thus, DNA barcoding and the data generated in this study may serve both scientific and national or even transnational conservation purposes.

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In the family Lacertidae (Reptilia) composed by more of 280 species is found the genus Podarcis, with 24 - 30 species distributed along Eurasia and Africa. It is a monophyletic group with an origin does roughly 18 -20 Ma, composed of species with very variable phenotype, big intraspecific variability and low interspecific variability. These traits cause that the relations are not established definitively and that require the analyses of DNA to establish more solid phylogenetic relationships. At this work studied the usefulness of DNA barcoding of 10 of these species with Citocrom Oxidase I (COI), a gene found in mtDNA, to study genetic variability and phylogeny. To this end, DNA extraction of tail of the specimens was carried out, two sets of primers were necessary to perform the amplification as this group exhibited a high variability in the binding region of primers. Finally, the samples were purified and sequenced to be able to perform genetic variability and phylogenetic analysis, time of divergence and delimitation of the species. It has been observed that there is a greater diversity in P. tiliguerta, but the sequences obtained with the two games of primers were of low quality what could be caused by nuclear copies of the genes and to avoid errors this species were eliminated from the phylogenetic analysis. On the other hand, P. hispanica also has a high diversity, which is not surprising given that it covers 3 different species and that two of these `P. h. “Galera” and P. h. virescens stand out because present the highest distance value. Finally, two phylogenetic models were studied: the model of maximum likelihood and the Bayesian coalescence model. Both with similar results, although slightly more solid in the Bayesian model, where the different species separate correctly. Also found a clear relationship between the moments of speciation and the great tectonic movements that have occurred in the Mediterranean.

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It is described the finding of a death Lacerta bilineata and its circumstances, apparently by accidental cause when it was trapped in a small-mammal burrow.

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In the Netherlands, the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) is a rare and protected species. The city of Maastricht harbours the only natural Dutch population, where it lives on historic city walls and a diversity of urban habitats, such as an abandoned railroad. Measures had to be taken to safeguard the population on the abandoned railway when plans were presented for revitalising the railway. Plans included renewal of the gravel bed and sleep- ers, restoration of bridges and the removal of vegetation in the years 2007-2008, as well and the usage of the track by freight trains in the future. These activities lead to the destruction and severe disturbance of reptile habitat. To compensate for this, new habitat was created and reptile friendly management of the vegetation is introduced. New habitat was created by building piled walls and wood piles. Twenty-five piled walls were built with a total length of 1100 meter and 37 wood piles were put alongside the track every 50 meter. Common Wall Lizard population size, re- production success and dispersion were monitored. Reconstruction and translocation proved to have a great impact on the population size in the first year after translocation. However, the population shows both a significant, strong increase since then and annual successful reproduction in the new habitat. The average annual growth of the popu- lation over the period 2008-2011 is 60%. Based on the experiences in this project it is advised to develop new habitat five years prior to the destruction of the original habitat. As the railway is not in use yet, the impact of passing trains on the population is unknown.