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Carotenoids are essential substances for animal physiology, fulfilling antioxidant functions and participating in color regulation. Consequently, the development of methodologies for using synthetic and natural carotenoids in animal feeding is increasingly relevant. This study presents findings on the effects of carotenoids on the rearing of juvenile Lacerta media. Subjects (n = 24) were equally divided into two groups (control and experimental), with each group maintained in triplicate. Prior to the experiment, each individual was labeled, measured, and weighed, and a dorsal photograph was taken. Lizards in the experimental group received dietary carotenoid supplementation every third feeding via dusting of the insect prey. Results indicated that dietary carotenoid intake did not significantly affect the growth of juveniles Lacerta media across the experimental period. However, RGB model comparison of coloration revealed statistically significant differences in blue and green parameters throughout the study: the control group exhibited higher values for these parameters than the experimental group. The authors propose that these differences in coloration are attributable to the depletion of the upper xanthophore pigment layer in control group individuals due to carotenoid deficiency, resulting in a dominance of blue-green hues conferred by the underlying iridophore layer.

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Common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) in Italy show a striking variation in body coloration across the landscape, with highly exaggerated black and green colors in hot and dry climates and brown and white colors in cool and wet climates. Males are more intensely colored than females, and previous work has suggested that the maintenance of variation in coloration across the landscape reflects climatic effects on the strength of male–male competition, and through this sexual selection. However climatic effects on the intensity of male–male competition would need to be exceptionally strong to fully explain the geographic patterns of color variation. Thus, additional processes may contribute to the maintenance of color variation. Here we test the hypothesis that selection for green and black ornamentation in the context of male–male competition is opposed by selection against ornamentation because the genes involved in the regulation of coloration have pleiotropic effects on thermal physiology, such that ornamentation is selected against in cool climates. Field observations revealed no association between body coloration and microhabitat use or field active body temperatures. Consistent with these field data, lizards at the extreme ends of the phenotypic distribution for body coloration did not show any differences in critical minimum temperature, preferred body temperature, temperature‐dependent metabolic rate, or evaporative water loss when tested in the laboratory. Combined, these results provide no evidence that genes that underlie sexual ornamentation are selected against in cool climate because of pleiotropic effects on thermal biology.

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Many animal species show considerable intraspecific phenotypic variation. For species with broad distributions, this variation may result from heterogeneity in the strength and agents of selection across environments and could contribute to reproductive isolation among populations. Here, we examined interpopulation variation in a morphological trait related to chemical communication, femoral pore number (FP), using 3437 individuals from 55 Pyrenean populations of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Specifically, we tested the relative roles of genetic relatedness and gene flow, and adaptation to local conditions in generating this variation, with particular interest in the influence of climate and the socio‐sexual environment (i.e., the intensity of sexual selection, estimated using sexual size dimorphism [SSD] and adult sex ratio as proxy measures). We found significant interpopulation variation and sexual dimorphism in FP, as well as high genomic differentiation among populations driven by both geographic and environmental distances. Specifically, FP differences across populations were best predicted by a combination of positive allometry and the local intensity of sexual selection, as determined by SSD, or local climatic conditions. Higher FP in more male‐competitive environments, or with higher temperature and vegetation complexity, is consistent with adaptation to maintaining signaling efficacy of territorial scent marks. These results suggest that adaptation to local conditions contributes to interpopulation divergence in FP and thus environmental changes can potentially impact the fine‐tuning of chemical communication mediating social and sexual behavior.

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According to the observations of May and September 2010-2011, conducted in South-East of Atyrau region between Karaton and Srykamys villages, the authout recorded 11 species in spring and 5 species in autumn of 2010. Eleven species of amphibians and reptiles were registered in spring and autumn of 2011. Table data on the population of these species are given.

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As a result of two trips to South-East Kyzylkums in April 2008 and June - July 2009 seventeen species of reptiles were found: the Central Asian turtle, 10 species of lizards and 6 species of snakes. New data on distribution and abundance of some of them, including two species listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan (desert monitor (Varanus griseus) and armoured glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus)) is presented.

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Environmental heterogeneity on a spatial and temporal scale fosters an organism`s capacity to plastically alter coloration. Predation risk might favour the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in colour patterns, as individuals who change colour throughout the year may be able to improve their fitness. Here we explored the change in dorsal pigmentation of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) at three time points (March, July, October) during a period of activity in a Mediterranean natural area in southern Italy. Following a preliminary investigation conducted in 2018, during 2019 we captured 135 lizards and took a picture of their ventral scales to check for possible recapture over the sessions. Lizard dorsal pictures were collected in the field with the support of a reference chart to quantitatively estimate chromatic variables (hue, saturation and value). At the same time, pictures of the environmental background were collected. Our findings suggest that lizards are capable of altering dorsal coloration during seasonal change. They vary from green at the onset of spring, to brownish in the middle of summer and to a greyish colour in October. This modification closely followed environmental background colour variation and enhanced lizard crypsis during each season.

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Background Whole genome data are invaluable resources for both conservation and adaptation studies, especially for endemic species, providing insights into the evolution of genes involved in genomic adaptation across different environments. Objective We compare the newly generated genomic and transcriptomic data of the Cretan endemic lizard species Podarcis cretensis to other Podarcis species to obtain an overview of gene family evolution and genome structure within the genus. Methods Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed using the newly published genome of P. cretensis. A gene set was predicted using RNA-seq data from 36 samples, comprising three tissues (liver, brain, and muscle) from both male and female individuals across three distinct habitats. Results The main findings revealed that P. cretensis and P. raffonei present the best genome assemblies and the most syntenic among the Podarcis species examined. Moreover, P. cretensis displayed the highest percentage of single-copy genes and the lowest percentage of duplicated genes. These duplicated genes are primarily associated with immune and sensory-related gene families, including chemokines, interleukins, immunoglobulin-like domain proteins, secreted proteins, and vomeronasal type-2 receptors. Conclusions This study deepens our understanding of chromosome structure, gene expression, and genome evolution in the Podarcis genus, representing the most extensive comparative analysis to date. The newly predicted gene set of the insular endemic species P. cretensis offers initial insights into gene expression related to adaptation across environments and tissues. Comparative genomic analyses further revealed gene families potentially involved in environmental adaptation.

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Sexual dimorphism in digit length ratios has been reported for humans, a few other mammals, and two bird species. This dimorphism is thought to arise via an interaction between the prenatal exposure of the embryo to sex hormones and the Hox genes, which are highly conserved among vertebrates and control the development of both the appendices, including fingers and toes, and the urogenital system. In this study, we report on sexual dimorphism in 2D:3D, 2D:4D, and 3D:4D contralateral ratios of the forelimbs in two species of oviparous lizards, the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) and the tree skink (Mabuya planifrons), as measured on museum specimens. We found that male P. muralis had a larger 2D:4D ratio on both sides and larger 2D:3D ratio on the left side than females, whereas in M. planifrons, males had lower 2D:3D ratios than females on the left side. The two species show opposite patterns of sexual dimorphism in body size, males being larger than females in P. muralis, and the reverse in M. planifrons, suggesting that interspecific variation of sex differences in digit ratios could be associated with sex-specific growth trajectories. There was a limited evidence for directional asymmetry in digit ratios. Therefore, our findings provide the first evidence that digit ratios are sexually dimorphic in any reptile species and are consistent with the idea that the genetic link between limb development and the urogenital system had been established with the evolution of the earliest terrestrial tetrapods. Importantly, many lizard species with genetic sex determination, including the ones we studied, are oviparous and may represent valuable animal models for experimental tests of the association between prenatal exposure to androgens or estrogens and digit ratios.

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The history of herpetological research in Aksu-Dzhabagly nature reserve area goes back to 1933. To the present time the list of the local herps contains 2 species of Amphibians and 12 Reptiles including 5 species of lizards and 7 snakes. The distributions, numbers and some features of ecology as well as biology are considered. For most of the species the maps of distribution are presented. Significance of protected area for every species is discussed.

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Spatial patterns of species diversity and range size along environmental gradients and their underlying mechanisms have long been controversial issues in biogeography and ecology. The species–area relationship, water-energy dynamic hypothesis and mid-domain effect were used here to explain the elevational patterns of amphibian and reptile species richness and their different faunal components in China’s Qinling Range using multivariate regression models and the variance partitioning algorithm. Our results showed unimodal patterns for the elevational distributions of amphibians, reptiles and their faunal components, but the peaks of the patterns differed among groups. The underlying mechanisms shaping the patterns revealed intensive interactions, while the independent explanatory strengths of the three proposed hypotheses (exclude reptile oriental realm) were relatively weak. The water-energy dynamic hypothesis was the most parsimonious explanation of the observed patterns. The majority of water-energy dynamic explanation belonged to interaction of three hypotheses. The interaction between mid-domain effect and water-energy dynamics was larger for amphibians and that between species–area relationship and water-energy dynamic hypothesis was larger for reptiles. The Steven’s and cross-species methods were used to examine whether species-specific elevational range sizes of amphibians, reptiles and their different faunal components are applicable to Rapoport’s rule. The results showed that reptile range sizes supported Rapoport’s rule at the various elevational gradients, while amphibian range sizes were difficult to support Rapoport’s rule.

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Visual acuity, the ability to discern static spatial details, is crucial for understanding how organisms perceive their environment. Lacertid lizards are diurnal, feed on small prey, and communicate using multiple visual signals, including postures, dynamic displays and conspicuous colour patches. However, their visual acuity remains unstudied, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of their visual capabilities. Visual acuity is often estimated behaviourally using an optomotor apparatus, which quantifies a reflex-orienting movement called the optomotor response (OMR), or histologically by evaluating retinal ganglion cell (RGC) densities. We combined these two techniques to estimate visual acuity in a lacertid lizard, Podarcis muralis. OMR assays estimated an acuity of 2.05 cpd, while RGC counts revealed a peak density (>7000 cells mm−2) within the area centralis, corresponding to 1.56 cpd. RGC topographic maps revealed additional areas of high cell density in the dorso-nasal and dorso-temporal regions, while the area centralis was located slightly ventrally in the centro-temporal retina. This RGC distribution suggests adaptations to resolve stimuli in the centre and lower parts of the lizard`s visual field, which may enhance predator and prey detection on the ground. Using our estimated acuities, we calculated that a lizard can detect a conspecific from 10 m and a 2 mm-long object from 40 cm away. In addition, we generated AcuityView images (R package) showing how this species might discern conspecific colour patches at different distances. These images suggest that beyond 10 cm, the surroundings become increasingly blurred, suggesting a role for static visual signals specifically in close-range communication.

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In recent decades, studies on animal coloration have expanded significantly, from understanding color production and perception mechanisms to exploring the selective pressures driving these patterns. Conservation biology has begun leveraging these studies to develop effective strategies, gauge public support for conservation projects, select flagship species, and determine reproductive pairs and optimal rearing and release conditions for captive breeding. Critically endangered Aeolian wall lizards (Podarcis raffonei) were housed at the Fondazione Bioparco di Roma for a pilot captive breeding project following alarming hypotheses of rising numbers of “green” hybrids (P. raffonei × P. siculus) in one of the four surviving populations. Through a quantitative analysis of visible dorsal color in captive and natural populations, we aim to determine whether P. raffonei is characterized by seasonal variation in its dorsal coloration and if color is influenced by sex and ontogenesis. Our findings show that P. raffonei’s dorsal pigmentation varies between seasons. In spring, the size and age of the animals does not seem to affect any color component, while the sexes always differ in their hue, with males having consistently more yellow-green dorsa. Between-year analyses, including measurements from the wild population, indicate that yearly variation is not limited to the captive population but also occurs in nature. We caution against identifying potential hybrids based solely on phenotypic traits.

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We synthesized information on reptile biodiversity in the Yangtze River Basin. We documented 166 species that had been recorded and described from the basin. There are 3 orders, 18 families and 68 gen-era. Of these, 24 species are endemic and 54 endangered. Since the distribution patterns of terrestrial reptiles are determined by the deep rivers and high mountains to a great extent, we divided the Yangtze River Basin into 19 sub-regions. Except the headwater of the basin, the other 18 sub-regions show similar values in spe-cies richness and G-F index. However, the proportion of endemic species decreased gradually from the headwater to the estuary of the basin with the gradient of elevation. Based on the species distribution in 19 sub-regions (Jaccard similarity), cluster analysis was used to analyze the similarity of reptiles in the 19 sub-regions. The 19 sub-regions were clustered into five groups: (1) The headwaters of the basin, (2) Heng-duan Mountains and Yunnan Plateau, (3) Sichuan Basin and Qinling-Dabashan Mountains, (4) Guizhou Plateau, Jiangnan hills, the Two-Lake Plain and the delta of the Yangtze River Basin, (5) Poyang Lake Plain, lower reaches of the basin, and Huaiyang Mountains (from Hanjiang River to Dabieshan Mountain). This grouping reflects the environmental characteristics of the total basin and the three large topographic plat-forms of the Chinese mainland.

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Many animals undergo irreversible ontogenetic color changes (OCCs), yet these changes are often overlooked despite their potential ethological relevance. The problem is compounded when OCCs involve wavelengths invisible to humans. Wall lizards can perceive ultraviolet (UV) light, and their conspicuous ventral and ventrolateral coloration—including UV-reflecting patched—likely serves social communication. Here, we describe OCCs in the ventral (throat and belly) and ventrolateral (outer ventral scales, OVS) coloration of juvenile common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) as perceived by conspecifics. We measured reflectance in hatchling and yearling lizards raised under semi-natural conditions and used visual modeling to estimate chromatic distances within individuals and across life stages (i.e., hatchlings, yearlings, and adults). Hatchlings typically exhibit UV-enhanced white (UV+white) on their ventral surfaces (throat, belly, and OVS), a color that is likely discriminable to conspecifics from the most frequent adult colors in the throat (i.e. orange, yellow, and UV-reduced white; UV−white) and OVS (i.e., UV-blue). The prevalence of UV+white decreases with age, with the decline being less pronounced in female bellies. OCCs to UV-blue in the OVS are more apparent in males than in females and appear delayed relative to changes in the throat and belly. While throat colors in yearlings are indistinguishable to conspecifics from adult throat colors, yearling UV-blue patches remain chromatically distinct from those of adults. This delay may reflect variations in the mechanisms of color production or distinct selective pressures acting on these patches. Overall, our results show that OCCs in P. muralis fulfill a key requirement for social signals by being perceptible to conspecifics. This supports the hypothesis that OCCs may play a role mediating interactions between juveniles and adults, as well as delaying the onset of colors involved in social communication.

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A total of 40 species of reptiles was recorded within two herpetological surveys during May 2007 and April 2008 on Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, northeastern Vietnam: one species of turtle, 19 species of lizards, and 20 species of snakes. Nineteen species (47.5%) were new records for the island. Compared with previous herpetological surveys on Cat Ba Island, the diversity of terrestrial reptiles recorded during our field work was five times higher than given in Darevsky (1990) and two times higher than indicated by Nguyen & Shim (1997). Taxonomic comparisons revealed that one lizard is endemic, the eublepharid gecko Goniurosaurus catbaensis (Ziegler et al. 2008), and another new skink species, Sphenomorphus tonkinensis (Nguyen et al. 2011); the divergent status of other squamate species (e.g., Pareas cf. hamptoni, Viridovipera cf. stejnegeri) is still under examination.

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The Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis), has a very limited distribution, being located only in the Pitiusas Islands of Balearic Islands, which are Ibiza and Formentera. In the Red List of Threatened Species of IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), this species went from being classified as `Near Threatened` (NT) and became `Endangered` (EN) on the 27th of June. This change in its category is due to a population decrease of more than 50% since 2010. The main reason for this population reduction is due to predation by invasive snake species, especially the horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), which was accidentally introduced into the islands in 2003 and has since been a major threat to the lizard. Because its conservation status has recently been rectified, the recovery plan that it should have as being classified as an endangered species by IUCN has not yet been published. Thus, in this end-of-degree work it is intended to carry out this recovery plan for the Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis). This will include a review of the current status of the species (population status, critical areas, threats, etc.), definition of a set of objectives for the plan and identification of measures necessary to achieve the objectives, eliminate the threats facing the species, to restore their populations and ensure their long-term viability.

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We studied squamate diversity in 5 different croplands (wheat, sorghum, millet, maize and groundnut) of district Chakwal, North Punjab, Pakistan, in February and September, 2013, using area-constrained searches for squamates and line intercept method for vegetation. We recorded 11 squamate species (6 lizards; 5 snakes). Based on diversity index value (H) the highest squamate diversity was recorded from maize (1.91), followed by wheat (1.54), groundnut (1.51), sorghum (1.34) and millet (1.21). We recorded Calotes versicolor versicolor, Ophisops jerdonii and Eutropis dissimilis as most frequently sighted species in all croplands. The multivariate generalized model revealed that sightings of species differed significantly (F(5,40) = 2.89, P < 0.05; Wilk’s Λ = 0.30, Partial η2 = 0.94) among cropland types and their boundary vegetation. The cluster analysis of boundary vegetation produced two main clusters: (1) groundnut and wheat, and (2) sorghum, millet and maize. We concluded that herbs (Parthenium hysterophorus Chenopodium album), shrubs (Calotropis procera, Ziziphus jujube, Gymnosporia royleana), and grasses (Cynodon dactylon, Setaria pumila) along the cropland boundary provided abode for lacertids (O. jerdonii) and skinks (E. dissimilis), while tress (Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora, Ziziphus mauritiana) for agamids (Calotes versicolor). We suggest the inclusion of maintaining cropland boundary vegetation particularly grasses and shrubs in agricultural practices to ensure the conservation of squamate and their habitat.

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The selective forces imposed by primary receivers and unintended eavesdroppers of animal signals often act in opposite directions, constraining the development of conspicuous coloration. Because iridescent colours change their chromatic properties with viewer angle, iridescence offers a potential mechanism to relax this trade-off when the relevant observers involved in the evolution of signal design adopt different viewer geometries. We used reflectance spectrophotometry and visual modelling to test if the striking blue head coloration of males of the lizard Lacerta schreibeiri (1) is iridescent and (2) is more conspicuous when viewed from the perspective of conspecifics than from that of the main predators of adult L. schreibeiri (raptors). We demonstrate that the blue heads of L. schreiberi show angle-dependent changes in their chromatic properties. This variation allows the blue heads to be relatively conspicuous to conspecific viewers located in the same horizontal plane as the sender, while simultaneously being relatively cryptic to birds that see it from above. This study is the first to suggest the use of angle-dependent chromatic signals in lizards, and provides the first evidence of the adaptive function of iridescent coloration based on its detectability to different observers.

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We present a genome assembly from a female specimen of Podarcis gaigeae (Skyros Wall Lizard; Chordata; Lepidosauria; Squamata; Lacertidae). The assembly contains two haplotypes with total lengths of 1,514.62 megabases and 1,422.31 megabases. Most of haplotype 1 (99.33%) is scaffolded into 20 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. Most of haplotype 2 (99.58%) is scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 20.31 kilobases.

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Color polymorphisms, or distinct color variants within a population, provide tractable study systems for studying the generation, maintenance, and loss of phenotypic diversity in nature because biologists can easily observe changes in the number and frequency of discrete variants over time. However, many color polymorphisms are studied in the context of the human visual system and do not consider how conspecifics or potential predators view morph variation. The visual systems of predators and conspecifics may be sensitive to different aspects of coloration, which can influence the evolution and maintenance of morph diversity and phenotypic variation within and between populations. The Aegean wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) is a color polymorphic lizard that exhibits co-occurring orange, white, and yellow throat color morphs. Here, we measured the reflectance of P. erhardii throat color patches and used visual modelling to determine if lizards and their bird and snake predators can visually discriminate between morph colors across different lighting contexts. Our results suggest that P. erhardii and their violet-sensitive bird and snake predators can distinguish chromatically between each color morph pair in standard daylight and forest shade illuminance contexts. However, only P. erhardii can distinguish achromatic morph colors in both illuminance contexts (except for white and yellow morphs in forest shade). These results indicate that P. erhardii morphs are most difficult for predators to distinguish in low lighting conditions and could help explain previously observed morph differences in microhabitat usage.

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Conspecifics often constitute a valuable source of information. For instance, animals are often attracted to a foraging site by the presence of conspecifics, a phenomenon known as ‘local enhancement’. Theory predicts that animals should engage in local enhancement only when associated benefits (efficient resource detection) outweigh the costs (increased interference competition), a trade off that depends on environmental context. Insular and mainland habitats differ in key ecological factors, such as predation pressure, competition, and food availability, which likely affect how animals use social cues while foraging. Here, we compared the local enhancement behaviour of Aegean wall lizards from three small islets, two larger islands, and two mainland sites in Greece. In the wild, lizards were offered food near a transparent container that either held a conspecific (social trials) or was empty (control). We then compared whether and how fast individuals would (1) emerge near, (2) approach, and (3) start eating the food, between social and control situations, and among habitats (mainland, island, or islet). We also looked at whether the presence of conspecifics – confined, or free-roaming when multiple lizards were attracted – provoked interference competition. Conspecific cues influenced foraging decisions in a complex manner. The presence of confined conspecifics had only minor effects, but other free roaming conspecifics accelerated or inhibited foraging activities, depending on their type (emerging, approaching, eating). Insular lizards also engaged in more aggressive interactions than mainland ones. Our results indicate that the costs and benefits of local enhancement may vary geographically, but they are inconclusive due to methodological limitations. Further research is needed to identify the environmental conditions favouring the evolution of local enhancement and social cognition.

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The paper summarizes most important new data on distribution of 5 amphian and 28 reptilian species, which were got during first decade of XXI century in’Kazakhstan, and evaluates them in the light of previously known information. All the finds are classified in few categories among which the most important are the following: 1 – the finds registered beyong of species range; 2 – the records filled up the “empty spots” within the species ranges; 3 – the finds confirmed the old data, and 4 – discovering of new forms possibly taxonomically independent. A re-animation of herpetological investigations in previously poor studied extremal western, northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan as well as in some areas of Central Kazakhstan is commended. It is underscored that perspectives to continue faunistic herpetological investigations in Kazakhstan remain as wide as before.

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The paper presents the results of quantitative assessment of the content and morphological characterization of microplastics (MPs) accumulated in the organs of adult individuals (n = 43) from three reptile species: the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara Lichtenstein, 1823, the sand lizard Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, and the common adder Vipera berus Linnaeus, 1758. The species inhabit overlapping ranges, are often syntopic, and exhibit zoophagous behavior. The studied individuals were collected in the spring-summer period of 2021-2023 from various localities in Tomsk Oblast (southeast of Western Siberia). MPs in the size range of 0.15-5 mm were detected in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of both lizard species (100%), as well as in the GIT and skin of V. berus. The maximum average MP content in the GIT was 6.80 ± 11.4, with a range of 0 to 32 particles in Z. vivipara collected in 2022. Interannual variations were noted in the contamination level of Z. vivipara: the average MP content in the GIT was 3.2-fold lower in 2023 versus 2022. The differences in MP content between Z. vivipara and L. agilis were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), as were the differences in MP content between the GIT and the skin of V. berus. In the GIT of adult individuals of the three species, MPs were represented by microspheres, microfilms, irregularly shaped fragments, with microfibers being predominant, comprising 64.5% in Z. vivipara and 82.0% in L. agilis, respectively. The study revealed the prevalence of MPs with sizes ranging from 0.3 to 1 mm, with the exception of Z. vivipara, where most particles did not exceed 300 μm (43.5%). The proportion of larger particles (> 3 mm) in the organs of V. berus was higher compared to Z. vivipara and L. agilis. MP detection in the GIT and skin of adult individuals indicates plastic pollution in the taiga zone of Western Siberia. The data obtained represent the first evidence of the presence of MPs in Palearctic reptiles in Russia.

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As a result of our field work caried out in 2020 and 2021, we herein report the first herpetofaunal list of Duc Co dictrict, Gia Lai province, comprising 21 species of amphibians (14 genera, six families, two orders) and 40 species of reptiles (35 genera, 16 families, 2 orders). Remarkably, nine species are recored for the fist time in Gia Lai province, namely Kalophrynus interlineatus, Limnonectes dabanus, Dixonius minhlei, Lygosoma bowringii, Dendrelaphis subocularis, Lycodon subcinctus, Heosemys grandis, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, and Indotestudo elongata. In terms of conservation concern, 10 species are listed the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) and 10 species in the IUCN Red List (2021).

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Karçal Mountains are located in Artvin province (Turkey) that contains various types of ecosystems. Based on the results of herpetological surveys conducted between August 2014 and July 2015, totally 18 species were recorded from 11 different stations around Karçal Mountains of which 7 were amphibians (2 salamanders and 5 frogs) and 11 were reptiles (5 lizards and 6 snakes). Specimens were investigated in terms of some morphological characters like color and pattern features, number of scales and plates and body measurements. In addition, a zoogeographical assessment was also carried out by the chorotype classification of Karçal Mountains.

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The private collection represented by comprehensive holdings of vertebrates (cyclostomes, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals), i.e., Petromyzontida (11 specimens of two species), Actinopterygii (2897 specimens of 63 species), Amphibia (1365 specimens of 28 species), Reptilia (4430 specimens of 155 species), and Mammalia (32 specimens of eleven species) of the famous Russian zoologist Boris S. Tuniyev were donated to the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in March 2025. The collection was transported to St. Petersburg in its original containers and transferred to the Laboratories of Ichthyology, Herpetology, and Theriology. Of special value are type specimens of 5 taxa of lizards and 12 taxa of snakes.

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Study of genome size variation in cells of vertebrates using DNA flow cytometry makes it possible to determine polyploid individuals precisely, which is extremely important when studying the processes of reticulate speciation. In addition, in many groups of vertebrates, closely related species often differ in the nuclear DNA content. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to explore the variability of genome size and ploidy in populations of 29 species and subspecies of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia, as well as their hybrids. As a result of this study, the range of variability in individuals of different ploidy (91% of diploid and 9% of triploid individuals) was established not to overlap. Among diploid species, no correlation was found between the nuclear DNA content and phylogenetic relationships, geographic coordinates, altitude, average annual temperatures, and precipitation. Representatives of all studied species complexes (with the exception of D. adjarica) had approximately the same limits of variability. Two species (D. derjugini and D. saxicola) show significant intraspecific variability. Comparisons of the genome size of parthenogenetic and bisexual species generally revealed no noticeable differences between them. Studies of triploid hybrids have shown that their genome size as a whole roughly corresponds to the sum of the average size of the diploid genome of the maternal parthenogenetic species and the haploid genome of the paternal species. The variability of genome sizes within samples of triploid hybrids was, on average, slightly higher than in most parthenogenetic species, but somewhat lower than in bisexual species. This paper discusses the peculiarities of reticulate speciation in this group of animals.

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This study investigated the amphibian and reptilian fauna of the Lake District around Burdur, Turkey. A total of 21 amphibian and reptile species were identified, consisting of two anurans, two turtles, one tortoise, seven lizards, and nine snakes. A zoogeographical assessment was also carried out in which the chorotypes and the IUCN criteria of the species were added.

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Podarcis vaucheri (Boulenger 1905) and Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus 1759) are two lacertid lizards native to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Regarding phylogeographic patterns, although the species have been thoroughly studied within their European ranges, knowledge of their variation South of the Strait of Gibraltar remains limited. With this thesis we intended to improve the genetic coverage for both species within their Moroccan range, and to address some issues regarding typically considered taxonomic notions for them: the existence of two main lineages within P. vaucheri — the “main type” and the “Jebel Sirwah” variant — that could warrant its split into two or more separate species; and the appropriateness of the split of P. algirus into two subspecies — P. a. algirus and P. a. nollii — based on their dorsal striped patterns. To achieve our aims, we mainly employed molecular tools, estimating the phylogenetic relationships between individuals within the area, with comprehensive samplings across most of their known ranges. Mitochondrial and a nuclear gene sequences — respectively partial ND4 and partial MC1R — were used. For the P. vaucheri study, this was complemented with species range modelling analysis, in an attempt to understand interactions with the landscape and range contractions and expansions of the species across time. Significant levels of genetic diversity were found within P. vaucheri, coupled with a clear and strong population structuring across the landscape. Data from species distribution modelling indicates that large areas have been almost continually optimal for the species across the region, although with notable breaks between them. Further evidence for the distinction of a “Jebel Sirwah” variant form — a lineage with an independent origin from the Moroccan P. vaucheri clade, estimated to have diverged from the species around 7.06 MYA — was also obtained, and a new population from that lineage was reported for Morocco, in the Mount M’Goun area. For P. algirus, no genetic diversity that could warrant the current subspecific split was identified, and although the typically considered clade divisions for the whole species were evident, no clear phylogeographic patterns were found within Morocco. Such a lack of phylogeographic structure is actually unusual in reptiles from this region, and presumably is associated with the generalist nature of P. algirus. We conclude that at least two species should be recognized within the P. vaucheri in North Africa, due to the amount of differentiation within the complex, although a full integrative taxonomic revision is still needed. P. algirus nollii should be relegated of its subspecies status, and instead be considered a colour morphotype of P. algirus.

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Four findings of sand lizards with partly extensive bark ulcers from Berlin and Brandenburg are documented. Possible causes are discussed, and a literature overview on bark ulcers in lacertids has been compiled.

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The article reports on encounters of the concolor form in the eastern Peloponnese wall lizard (Podarcis thais). It appears that concolor specimen occur more frequently in the south of the species` range. Based on these observations, the possible selective role of the concolor mutation is being discussed.

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During a herpetological research trip to northwest Africa in spring 1988, numerous lacertids were found. In this first of three publications, the lizards observed in Tunisia are briefly presented.

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76 sequences of the cytb gene region of mitochondrial DNA (1143 bp) and 27 sequences of i7 β-fib nuclear DNA (483 bp) of Lacerta strigata from 57 localities in Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, and Russia were analyzed. A large number of new samples were included in analysis with special focus to the species’ range at the Caucasus Isthmus. An identical topology and four supported clades (lineages) resulted for both mtDNA and sequences combined with nucleDNA (Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood). Four haplogroups (clusters) have been identified in the median cytb haplotype network. The lizards of clade A (haplogroup I) are widespread throughout the species range, while lizards of clade D (haplogroup IV) show the most limited distrubytion. No genetically unique populations of L. strigata were detected in the Caucasian xerophilous refugia. Also, no genetically distinct populations of the species were recorded in the Hyrcanian refugium (Southern Caspian region). An exception is the East Hyrcanian refugium, that is characterized by the most distant clade D (IV). The territory of Ciscaucasia and the Transcaucasian depression are occupied by a single clade each: A (I) and B (II), respectively. We detected several clades distributed in the four geographic areas (contact zones): in the Greater Caucasus, Alborz, Armenian Highland, and West Turkmenian Lowland. We associate the divergence of the L. strigata phylogenetic lineage with the Turkmen-Khorasan and, in particular, the Kopet Dag orogeny, as well as with the Late Miocene fluctuations in the level of the Eastern Paratethys, while the leading factor of intraspecific differentiation is the Pleistocene regressions and transgressions of the Caspian Sea. According to the current distribution pattern and species evolutionary his- tory, L. strigata should be assigned to the Hyrcano-Caucasian zoogeographic group.

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Camouflage can often be enhanced by genetic adaptation to different local environments. However, it is less clear how individual behaviour improves camouflage effectiveness. We investigated whether individual Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii) inhabiting different islands rest on backgrounds that improve camouflage against avian predators. In free-ranging lizards, we found that dorsal regions were better matched against chosen backgrounds than against other backgrounds on the same island. This suggests that P. erhardiimake background choices that heighten individual-specific concealment. In achromatic camouflage, this effect was more evident in females and was less distinct in an island population with lower predation risk. This suggests that behavioural enhancement of camouflage may be more important in females than in sexually competing males and related to predation risk. However, in an arena experiment, lizards did not choose the background that improved camouflage, most likely due to the artificial conditions. Overall, our results provide evidence that behavioural preferences for substrates can enhance individual camouflage of lizards in natural microhabitats and that such adaptations may be sexually dimorphic and dependent on local environments. This research emphasizes the importance of considering links between ecology, behaviour and appearance in studies of intraspecific colour variation and local adaptation.

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Studies of the effects of insularity on animal signals are scarce, particularly in lizards. Here, we use Lilford’s wall lizard from Dragonera (Podarcis lilfordi gigliolii) to ask how island conditions have affected its repertoire of social signals, focusing on two visual signals shared by many Podarcis species: ultraviolet (UV)–blue-reflecting ventrolateral colour patches and visual displays. We examined whether the number or spectral characteristics of the UV–blue patches are associated with traits related to individual quality. We also used visual models to assess visual conspicuousness and to measure sexual dichromatism. We did not observe foot shakes or any other visual displays usually found in continental Podarcis. We found that none of the UV–blue patch variables covaried with morphometric variables indicative of fighting ability or body condition in males, suggesting that this coloration does not signal individual quality. We also found very little sexual dichromatism. In particular, the UV–blue patches of females seem over-expressed and more similar to those of males than those of continental Podarcis. Ancestral state reconstruction reveals that the lack of sexual dimorphism in the UV–blue patches is a derived condition for P. lilfordi gigliolii and other Podarcis living on small islands. Our results thus show a pattern of reduced social signalling in P. lilfordi gigliolii relative to mainland Podarcis, with some signals being lost or under-expressed (visual displays) and others losing their signalling function (UV–blue patches). We hypothesize that these changes are attributable to the high population density of P. lilfordi gigliolii, which discourages territorial behaviour and promotes extreme social tolerance, making most social signals unnecessary. More work will be needed to determine whether this is a common pattern in lizards inhabiting small and densely populated islands.

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This research project has been conducted to determine the abundance and distribution of the Maltese wall lizard ssp. Maltensis on the island of Comino. Four subspecies of the Podarcis wall lizard are endemic to the Maltese archipelago. Hence, this research project can provide further information to aid in the conservation of this reptile in Malta. At present, Comino is one of summer’s top destination for tourists and it is constantly filled with crowds of people each summer. This island has been granted legal protection for conservation of its biodiversity. This research project is based on human interference with the survival of this subspecies and the distribution of this reptile in different areas around the island. The abundance of this subspecies is determined by the evaluation of five main disturbed areas and existing paths. The abundance in each area directly links to the distribution of this reptile throughout the island, leading to the preference and nature of the disturbance done on this species and its survival. Signs of habitat destruction and human interference have been noted from the results of this research project. The distribution of the wall lizard on Comino is highly dependent on human presence. These results show that further protection is required to completely conserve this subspecies and other fauna present on this island.

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Es Colomer Island is occupied by a melanistic population of the Lilford’s Wall lizard, Podarcis lilfordi. Adult males are larger than females, with longer tails, and higher values of body mass, pileus length, head heigh, head width, hindleg length and number of dorsal scales. Adult sex ratio is balanced or slightly skewed towards males. At the summit of the islet, body condition was found to be significantly better than in almost vertical slopes. We found a higher proportion of digit amputations in adult males, probably due to frequent male–male interactions, promoted by high lizard density. During a 2024 survey, we recorded the highest known density of the Lilford’s Wall lizard. The prevalence of mites and blood parasites was 100%. The frequent intraspecific interactions, shown by the proportion of males with digit amputations, could be the source of the higher prevalence and susceptibility to blood parasite infections. The diet of lizards from Colomer is omnivorous, including several prey groups, as well as carcass remains from birds and mammals, and even conspecifics. Lizards from Colomer are an excellent example of the effects of extreme environmental conditions, with high population densities, strong intraspecific competition, the widespread presence of external and blood parasites, the extensive use of the scarce resources, and the opportunistic use of unpredictable resources in masting years, such as the fruits of the joint pine.