Species:

Phoenicolacerta troodica  (WERNER, 1936)

Synonyms:

Lacerta laevis troodica  WERNER, 1936

Phoenicolacerta troodica  ARNOLD et al, 2007

Common names:

Zypriotische Eidechse (German)
Cypriote Wall Lizard (English)

Types:

Syntypes: NMW 16015:1-5

Terra Typica:

Troodos mountains on the island of Cyprus.

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Werner, F. (1936) -  Reptiles from Mount Troodos, Cyprus.  -  Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 106 (3): 655-658.  

  ×

• Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (1995) -  On the specimens of L. laevis (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Northern Cyprus. -  Turkish Journal of Zoology, Ankara, Turkey, 19: 1-15.  

  ×

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

  Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (1995) -  Kuzey Kibris L laevis Gray 1838 (Sauria: Lacertidae) Örnekleri Hakkinda -  Turkish Journal of Zoology, 19: 1-15.  

  ×

• Tosunoğlu, M. & Göçmen, B. & Taskavcek, E. & Budak, A. (1999) -  A serological comparison of the populations of the Lacerta laevis complex in northern Cyprus and southern Turkey. -  Zoology in the Middle East, Heidelberg, 19 (1): 117-122.    

  ×

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