Lichtenstein, H. (1823) - III - Amphibien, LACERTA. - Verzeichniss der Doubletten des Zoologischen Museums der Königl. Universität zu Berlin : nebst Beschreibung vieler bisher unbekannter Arten von Säugethieren, Vögeln, Amphibien und Fischen: 92-101.  Cornetti, L. & Ficetola, G.F. & Hoban, S. & Vernesi, C. (2015) - Genetic and ecological data reveal species boundaries between viviparous and oviparous lizard lineages. - Heredity, Edinburgh, 115 (6): 517-526.   × Identification of cryptic species is an essential aim for conservation biologists to avoid premature extinctions of ‘unrecognized’ species. Integrating different types of data can undoubtedly aid in resolving the issue of species delimitation. We studied here two lineages of the common lizard Zootoca vivipara that display different reproductive mode (the viviparous Z. v. vivipara and the oviparous Z. v. carniolica) and that overlap their distributional ranges in the European Alps. With the purpose of delimiting species’ boundaries, we analyzed their ecological, genetic and natural history features. More than 300 samples were collected and analyzed at cytochrome b and 11 microsatellites loci for investigating genetic variation, population structure, individual relatedness and evolutionary histories of the two lineages. Additionally, we compared their ecological niches using eight ecological variables. Genetic data showed contrasting patterns of genetic structure between the two lineages, different demographic dynamics and no hybridization events. Also strong ecological differences (such as temperature) emerged between the two lineages, and niche overlap was limited. Taken together, these results indicate that Z. v. vivipara and Z. v. carniolica should be recognized as two separate species, and particular conservation consideration should be given to the oviparous lineage that tends to live in areas threatened by increasing impact of human activities. However, recent and rapid climate warming might determine an increasing risk for the persistence of the viviparous lineage, being adapted to cold environments. Giovine, G. & Ghielmi, S. & Cornetti, L. & Vernesi, C. (2016) - Analisi della distribuzione, degli aplotipi e della conservazione di Lucertola Vivipara, Zootoca vivipara vivipara (JAQUIN, 1787) e di Lucertola Della Carniola, Zootoca vivipara carniolica (MAYER, BÖHME, TIEDEMANN & BISCHOFF, 2000) nelle Prealpi Bergamasche. - Rivista Museo di Scienze Naturali `E. Caffi`, Bergamo, 29: 123-140. × Analysis of the distribution, haplotypes and conservation of the viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) and the oviparous subspecies, Zootoca vivipara carniolica (Mayer, Böhme, Tiedemann & Bischoff, 2000) in the Bergamasque Prealps. -- In this study we analysed the distribution of two subspecies of the viviparous, Zootoca vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) in Bergamasque Prealps-Orobic Alps. The project was commissioned by “Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche” (Anfi.Oro.Project 2008/2011); the aim of this project was to further investigate the ecological distributional, conservational and genetic aspects about this lizard. Over the course of the study it emerged that the viviparous subspecies (Zootoca vivipara vivipara) shows a broader distributional range in comparison with the oviparous populations (Zootoca vivipara carniolica, Mayer, Böhme, Tiedemann. & Bischoff, 2000). Z. v. vivipara is present along the watershed between the Brembana Valley and Valtellina, almost entirely throughout the Seriana Valley and it is the only subspecies present in Scalve Valley. Z .v. carniolica is quite common in medium to high areas of the Brembana Valley, it is more localised in the Seriana Valley, and absent in Scalve Valley. An area of sintopy between the two subspecies was documented for the first time in Italy. Genetic analysis revealed five different haplotypes of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, across Orobie Alps; two haplotypes belong to the viviparous subspecies, and three haplotypes belong to oviparous one. Our results underlined that Z. v. vivipara shows a higher capacity to inhabit different types of habitat in a broad altitudinal range, as opposed to Z. v. carniolica which occupies fewer types of habitat over a reduced altitudinal range.The two subspecies appear to be vicariant, since they occupy reasonably differing areas and altitudes.The oviparous subspecies (Z. v. carniolica) might be considered at risk in term of progressive loss of habitat, mainly due to reduction of grazing activities and consequent increase of woodland. Conversely,a considerable overlap of their habitats has also been observed. An analysis of conservational problems has shown that the oviparous subspecies (Z. v. carniolica) might be considered at risk in terms of a progressive loss of habitat,mainly due to reduction of pastures and a consequent increase of wooded areas
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