Subspecies:

Podarcis melisellensis ssp. 

Taxonomic notes:

On Sušac, to the west to Lastovo, there are no P. melisellensis, only P. siculus campestris.

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Podnar, M. & Mayer, W. & Tvrftkovic, N. (2004) -  Mitochondrial phylogeography of the Dalmatian wall lizard, Podarcis melisellensis (Lacertidae). -  Organisms, Diversity & Evolution, 4: 307-317.    

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  A 903 bp section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was sequenced from 73 specimens of Podarcis melisellensis collected at 52 localities distributed over the major part of the species´ range. In addition, parts of the 12S (about 470 bp) and 16S rRNA (about 500 bp) genes were analysed for 11 representative samples leading to a congruent phylogeny. Our study includes representatives of all 20 subspecies recognized today. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data revealed three main clades: mainland with nearby islands, Vis archipelago, and Lastovo archipelago. The degree of mitochondrial DNA divergence among these clades suggests a separation of the respective population groups during the earliest Pleistocene. The phylogenetic pattern observed within the species is in sharp contrast to the actual taxonomic division into subspecies. A correlation between genetic diversity of P. melisellensis populations and paleogeography of the regions they inhabit is discussed.