×

Urbanization is widely recognized as a major driver of biodiversity loss, yet its effects on the trophic structure of reptile communities remain poorly understood. This study re-analysed reptile presence–absence data from urban green-space fragments in Rome, Italy, to examine how urban habitat simplification affects the snake component and the trophic and functional structure of reptile assemblages. Fifteen reptile species were classified into functional and trophic groups, and several assemblage metrics were evaluated, including snake richness, lizard and gecko richness, trophic complexity, com- munity trophic index, and dominance of urban-tolerant species. These metrics were related to fragment size, woodland cover, wetland presence, connectivity, and distance from the city centre. Results revealed a sharp, data-supported transition in snake occurrence across the woodland-cover gradient. Small fragments with limited woodland cover were dominated by urban-tolerant lizards and geckos, while snakes were largely absent. In contrast, larger and more structurally complex frag- ments retained diverse snake assemblages, particularly where wetlands were present. Woodland cover and wetlands were the strongest predictors of snake richness, whereas snake occurrence was best explained by total fragment size and wetland presence. Additional sensitivity analyses showed that the main pattern was robust to the exclusion of empty fragments and to alternative trophic-scoring schemes, although the strength of the trophic-complexity signal was reduced under the most conservative classification. Overall, our results suggest that urbanization-related habitat simplification is associated with taxon-linked trophic and functional simplification: small fragments retain some urban-tolerant lizards and geckos, but largely lose the snake component of the assemblage. These findings indicate that reptile assemblages can provide useful information on functional erosion in urban landscapes, while also emphasizing that trophic position, taxonomic affiliation and habitat-use traits may be difficult to disentangle in small vertebrate assemblages.

×

Rats have followed mankind into a wide diversity of habitats around the world. This includes many smaller islands, where they present a possible threat to local fauna that have often evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and therefore may not recognise them as dangerous. Many lizards can detect chemicals left behind by predators (mostly snakes) and will change their behaviour in response to them. However, whether lizards recognise mammal scents in general, and of rats in particular, remains unclear. Here we compared the responses towards rat chemical cues between Italian wall lizards (Podarcis siculus) originating from mainland and island habitats. In a first experiment, tongue flick rates (indicative of chemosensorial excitement) and behaviour of lizards were observed in two control situations (blank and pungent) and in the presence of rat scent. Lingual sampling increased dramatically in response to rat cues in both mainland and island lizards, but the animals` overall behaviour hardly changed. We found no evidence that the rat cues elicited stress or anti-predator behaviour. In a second experiment, we offered the lizards the choice between two basking sites, one of which we labelled with rat scent. We found no evidence that lizards systematically avoided the rat-scented perch. We conclude that both mainland and island Italian wall lizards can detect chemicals produced by rats, but these do not elicit noticeable changes in their behaviour (other than increased tongue flick rates). However, in both the control and experimental treatments, island and mainland lizards differed in tongue flick rates and in several aspects of their behaviour.

×

ntroduced rats are major drivers of biodiversity loss on islands, yet density-based assessments of their interactions with native reptiles remain scarce. On Mediterranean islands, long-term rat-lizard coexistence is facilitated by behavioral and morphological compensation mechanisms in lizards, but there are no studies on integrative assessments of population density and spatial and temporal niche partitioning. In this study, we quantified population density, spatial distribution, and diel activity patterns of ship rats (Rattus rattus) and Italian wall lizards (Podarcis siculus) on a small uninhabited Adriatic islet. Rat density was estimated using spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR), while lizard density was assessed using line-transect distance sampling. Camera trapping was used to examine the spatial and temporal niche use of all recorded terrestrial vertebrates. Rat density reached 32.1 individuals ha−1, and lizard density was estimated at 2345 individuals ha−1, both falling within the range reported for insular populations. Only three terrestrial vertebrates were detected on the islet: R. rattus, P. siculus, and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), highlighting the structural simplicity of this island system. Rats and lizards showed broad spatial overlap across all habitat types, but pronounced temporal segregation, with rats being predominantly nocturnal and lizards strictly diurnal. Despite the presence of invasive rats, lizard density remained relatively high and within ranges reported for other insular systems, suggesting that temporal niche partitioning may facilitate coexistence under long-term sympatry. However, studies across seasons and years are needed to determine whether this pattern is consistent. These results provide quantitative evidence of rat–lizard coexistence in a simplified Mediterranean island system and contribute to the global understanding of invasive species impacts under long-term sympatry.

×

The Mediterranean ant species Camponotus lateralis is often associated with the unpalatable Crematogaster scutellaris complex, and workers of both taxa commonly share trails. The recent discovery of three color morphs in Ca. lateralis, each resembling sympatric Crematogaster model species, provides context for the hypothesis of Batesian mimicry. Here, a feeding experiment was conducted using 25 Italian wall lizards (Podarcis siculus) as real predators. Our experiment tested four predictions regarding the predation risk for inaccurate mimics, accurate mimics, and models. Each lizard individual was confronted either with Cr. scutellaris or Cr. schmidti models, which both have a reddish head and a blackish gaster but differ by the former having a blackish and the latter a reddish mesosoma. Minor ant workers of Ca. lateralis, mimicking each one of these models, were used as inaccurate and accurate mimics. Also, the jet-black Ca. piceus was used as an inaccurate mimic. Lizards ingested 1.8 times more Camponotus than Crematogaster ants. Without model experience, lizards ingested 1.9 times more inaccurate and accurate mimics than after gaining such experience. Predation on model ants increased 1.4-fold when models were spatially closer to the mimics, a result consistent with the expectation that positive experience with mimics weakens avoidance of models through stimulus generalization. Although lizards ingested similar numbers of inaccurate and accurate mimics, 2 months after model experience, they chose the inaccurate mimic first in 83% of cases. We conclude that resemblance and spatial proximity to the model decrease predation risk for the mimic and increase predation risk for the model. We suggest that predation drives the evolution of aposematism in Crematogaster and Batesian color mimicry in Ca. lateralis. Conversely, myrmecophagy could have contributed to the evolution of cognitive abilities in lizards.

×

Vanaf de eerste jaargang werden in het tijdschrift RAVON jaarlijks verspreidingskaartjes meegestuurd met de uurhokwaarnemingen van het jaar ervoor. Op de kaartjes van sommige soorten stonden ook toen al dubieuze stippen, buiten het gekende verspreidingsgebied. Waren dit uitgezette populaties? Misschien zelfs van uitheemse soorten? Dankzij DNA-data hebben we inmiddels veel duidelijkheid gekregen over het voorkomen van exotische herpetofauna.

×

Environmental enrichment has become an essential tool for maintaining captive animals and improving their welfare. The information necessary to implement enrichment practices is largely restricted to a few species, mainly mammals, while studies on reptiles lag behind. However, current research shows that reptiles, like other species, can benefit from well-designed enrichment. In this study, we evaluated the effects of three types of enrichment on welfare-related indicators in the European common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, including behavioural measures and faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs). We used chemosensory (conspecific scents), thermal/structural (basking platforms) and nutritional (feeding device) enrichment designed to provide ethologically relevant challenges. All enrichment interventions yielded a significant decrease in abnormal behaviour (interacting with transparent boundaries) and a significant increase in exploration compared to baseline, indicating improved welfare. FCM levels increased with time spent in captivity, but less markedly when lizards were exposed to enrichment than when it was absent. Taken together, our results suggest positive effects of all three enrichment types and highlight the importance of using an ethologically informed approach to enrichment design. We discuss how, when grounded in species-specific knowledge, similar strategies can contribute to improving welfare in a broader range of captive reptiles.

×

Whether the complex colour polymorphisms of lizards are governed by rigid genetic control or by the type of phenotypic plasticity recently discovered in side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) remains a critical question for understanding the maintenance of these systems. In this study, we utilized a four-year capture-recapture dataset to investigate if adult common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) exhibit similar plastic transitions or follow a fixed developmental program. Using standardized digital photography and Residual Randomization Permutation Procedures (RRPP), we quantified Hue and Saturation variation across 167 adult individuals (216 transition events). Our results reveal an exceptional degree of categorical stability, with 97.7% of individuals retaining their discrete colour morph among captures; the rare transitions observed were exclusively unidirectional, involving initially white individuals acquiring pigmentation. While individual identity accounted for over 45% of the spectral variance, low repeatability coefficients (ICCs < 0.13) indicate high intra-morph chromatic uniformity. Phenotypic trajectory analysis demonstrated that as individuals grow, morphs significantly diverge in both colour intensity and direction. Notably, the yellow morph follows a unique, morph-specific maturation path, suggesting a canalized developmental program that enhances signal clarity with age. Unlike the reversible hormonal plasticity documented in U. stansburiana, the P. muralis system appears driven by a fixed ontogenetic commitment. These findings suggest that this polymorphism is maintained by a robust genetic architecture where adult maturation might serve to minimize cross-talk among socio-sexual signals, highlighting the analysis of adult ontogenetic trajectories as a vital practical tool for deciphering the evolution of complex biological polymorphisms.

×

Populations of amphibians and reptiles have undergone substantial declines in recent decades worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula, a European diversity hotspot for this group, is suffering severe droughts, rising temperatures, and abandonment of traditional agricultural practices. Despite the importance and sensitivity of Iberian herpetofauna, a data-driven, national, long-term, and multi-species analysis of the distribution and demographic situation of amphibians and reptiles has been lacking. We used dynamic occupancy models to study how the distributions of 25 amphibian and 37 reptile species have changed over the last three decades in Spain. We analysed a detection dataset compiled from multiple sources including citizen science, monitoring programmes and opportunistic observations. Our results showed widespread declines in amphibian and reptile occupancy, which could also suggest generalised population declines. Moreover, we observed a mismatch between the IUCN Red List categories and the estimated occupancy trend, with some species appearing stable at the IUCN global level but presenting substantial range contractions at the regional level. The causes for these declines are unclear. According to our models, amphibian persistence was negatively correlated with rainfall and colonization negatively correlated with altitude. Reptile persistence was negatively correlated with temperature. Our analysis highlights the value of national-scale assessments to identify occupancy trends at fine resolution and investigate regional threats driving these changes. We encourage further research and early conservation action before regional trends and threats become global issues. We further highlight the need for long-term, standardized monitoring programmes to contribute high-quality data to regional and global assessments.

×

Human-induced rapid environmental change is intensifying globally. Urbanization, a major form of human-induced rapid environmental change, alters ecosystems and exposes wildlife to environmental changes, including pollution, altered ambient temperatures, changes in habitat structure, and resource shifts. These alterations can benefit particular species while imposing challenges to others, influencing their behavior, physiology, and morphology. Changes in resource availability and ambient temperature are particularly relevant for ectotherms, which are less independent of environmental conditions than endotherms for thermoregulatory behavior and physical activity. To date, physiological and morphological responses have been less well studied than behavioral responses to urban environments in ectotherms. In this study, we measured standard metabolic rate (

×

Las especies invasoras representan una de las principales amenazas para la biodiversidad global. Estos taxones suponen grandes impactos negativos ecológicos y económicos, y constituyen uno de los mayores problemas para la conservación de la naturaleza. La lagartija italiana (Podarcis siculus) se ha introducido exitosamente en varios enclaves españoles, entre los que destaca el parque de Madrid Río, un parque y corredor verde en el centro de la capital. En este estudio se acotó el área de distribución de la especie italiana dentro del espacio verde urbano y se evaluó su impacto sobre la especie autóctona Podarcis virescens mediante un inventario de especies y muestreos repetidos de 12 parches localizados por el parque. Los resultados sugieren que, respecto a 2018, la especie ha colonizado nuevos parches de hábitats en las cercanías del primer núcleo, aunque en abundancias bajas. Se ha demostrado que existe una segregación espacial por exclusión competitiva dentro del área ocupada, en la que la especie exótica, P. siculus domina sobre la especie autóctona, P. virescens, en zonas con cobertura vegetal mientras que la especie autóctona se mantiene mucho más abundante en microhábitats rocosos, y sin mostrar signos de desplazamiento. El estudio aporta datos relevantes sobre la demografía de la población, y pone de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar medidas de conservación efectivas.

×

Island ecosystems offer unique windows into microevolutionary processes, particularly when recurrent climatic oscillations and anthropogenic pressures shape the genetic architecture of endemic taxa. This thesis investigates the population genetics, historical demography, and innate immune gene diversity of the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi—an endangered lacertid lizard restricted to 43 islets across the Mallorca, Menorca, and Cabrera archipelagos—with the overarching goal of informing conservation strategies for highly fragmented insular populations. Chapter 1 explores the phylogeographic structure and genome-wide patterns of genetic diversity within the species. Using a newly assembled reference genome and >300,000 SNPs from 191 individuals across 16 islets, the analyses reveal two deeply divergent lineages corresponding to the Mallorca–Cabrera and Menorca archipelagos (mean global FST = 0.247 ± 0.09). Despite severe fragmentation, islet populations retain moderate levels of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.144 ± 0.021) and low inbreeding coefficients (FIS< 0.10), suggesting that historical connectivity, past population sizes, and possibly selection may have contributed to the retention of genetic diversity, although the precise mechanisms remain uncertain. Allelic richness increases significantly with islet surface area, indicating that larger islands may better sustain genetic diversity. Maximum-likelihood phylogenies based on concatenated SNPs support a Mallorcan origin for P. lilfordi, followed by colonization events toward Menorca and Cabrera during Pleistocene glacial lowstands, likely facilitated by temporary land connections or reduced sea barriers during periods of lowered sea levels. Chapter 2 aims at reconstructing major historical demographic events within P. lilfordi looking at three hierarchical levels: (i) within the species, (ii) within archipelagos, and (iii) within individual populations/islands, focusing on three islands under current demographic study. For this purpose, site frequency spectra models (assuming a four-year generation time and a mutation rate of 1×10⁻⁸) reveal strong population contractions during the Riss (~300–130 ka), Würm (~115–11.7 ka), and LGM (~33–19 ka), likely driven by habitat loss and climatic instability. Subsequent interglacial sea-level rises intensified fragmentation, although rare rafting events or short-lived land bridges likely permitted limited gene flow. A sharp decline in Ne around 4.3–4.5 ka coincides with early human settlement, followed by habitat transformation and predator introduction which caused the extirpation of P. lilfordi from Mallorca and Menorca by ~2 ka and severe bottlenecks on remnant islets. Chapter 3 explores the genetic potential of P. lilfordi to respond to infection threats by investigating its innate immune gene repertoire. Specifically, the chapter presents the first genome-wide characterization of AMPs in this species and compares them with close relatives in the Lacertidae family. Three AMP families were identified— beta-defensins, ovo-defensins (including three proline-rich variants), and cathelicidins—totaling 77 genes. Most beta- and ovo-defensins are located on chromosome 3, and cathelicidins on chromosome 12, flanked by conserved genomic markers. Comparative analyses revealed 58 orthologs or paralogs shared with P. muralis, P. raffonei, and Zootoca vivipara, including cathelicidins and ovo-defensins-PrAMPs, most of which were one-to-one orthologs between species, as well as recent gene expansions in beta- and ovo-defensins. Phylogenetic reconstructions suggest potential convergent evolution of AMP sequences across distantly related squamates. Despite historical bottlenecks and absence of gene flow, P. lilfordi retains high AMP gene diversity, potentially contributing to population resilience in isolated environments. In summary, this thesis demonstrates that P. lilfordi has withstood both Pleistocene climatic shifts and recent human impacts while preserving significant genetic and functional variation. The identification of distinct genetic lineages and high immunogenomic diversity highlights the importance of managing each islet population as a distinct conservation unit. These findings offer a strong genomic framework for biodiversity conservation strategies targeting this key insular species, with broader implications for all isolated vertebrate populations in dynamic island ecosystems.

×

Glyphosate, the active ingredient of world’s most widely used herbicide RoundupTM, has attracted attention due to its impact on non-target organisms. Recent studies highlight the effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of vertebrates. Nevertheless, previous studies utilised dosages higher than toxicological reference values (TRVs) suggested by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), or formulations of glyphosate, not allowing for clear distinctions of the effects of glyphosate itself. Moreover, its impact on the HPA axis was assessed using blood samples, a technique inappropriate for small animals and for assessing long-term chronic effects. Here we tackled those caveats by analyzing faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) of the wall lizard Podarcis bocagei to detect glyphosate-induced effects on the HPA axis. This species provides a promising animal model as reptiles are prevalent in agricultural fields treated with herbicides, reptile-specific TRVs are still lacking, and only five studies have validated immunoassays for measuring FCMs in reptiles. Here we validated the 5α-pregnane-3ß,11ß,21-triol-20-one enzyme immunoassay. We detected a glyphosate-induced moderate increase in FCM levels during the exposure phase, while exposed animals of both sexes displayed an altered mass-depended FCM profile. Our results indicate that glyphosate likely impacts the energy mobilization and management of lizards, at the expense of maintenance, growth and reproduction. Our outcomes support the need for reptile-specific TRVs and the consideration of reptiles in EFSA`s risk assessment for glyphosate. In methodological terms, FCM analysis can serve as an effective non-invasive tool to estimate the chronic impacts of glyphosate in animal species.

×

Se describe el hallazgo de varios individuos de Algyroides nigropunctatus en La Canea (oeste de la isla de Creta). A pesar de que esta especie ha sido descrita como aloctona anteriormente en otros enclaves, este es el primer registro fuera de Europa continental, muy alejado de su rango de distribucion natural.

×

Effective thermoregulation is important for most ectotherms, as body temperature determines the rate of nearly all physiological processes. However, for most organisms, we lack an understanding of which environmental factors affect thermoregulatory behaviors, especially outside of a laboratory setting and over an entire day. Introduced populations of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) in Cincinnati, Ohio, are thriving after an introduction almost 75 years ago. To noninvasively quantify daily thermoregulatory behaviors and thermoregulatory effectiveness, we used infrared thermography (a thermal imaging camera) to conduct repeated standardized sampling every 30 min across the lizard’s normal activity period (0800–2000 hours) at multiple urban locations. We also measured air temperature, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and wind speed, while 3D-printed operative temperature models quantified available temperatures throughout the activity period. Lizard activity varied throughout the day and peaked in the early afternoon. Furthermore, activity patterns were associated with the interaction of temperature and UV radiation intensity, such that predicted activity is greatest at high temperatures when UV is low and at low temperatures when UV is high. Activity was limited by cool environmental temperatures, even on hot days in midsummer. When lizards were active, they thermoregulated precisely and achieved body temperatures closely matching preferred temperatures selected in a laboratory gradient in a previous study. Furthermore, field body temperatures did not vary because of sex, reproductive status, or size. Data on daily activity and thermoregulatory decision-making, especially in an urban habitat, provide valuable insight into how an ectothermic organism integrates multivariate sensory inputs from the environment to make behavioral decisions. The role of environmental conditions in behavioral decision-making is especially relevant in predicting geographical range expansions, particularly in the context of changing urban environments and introduced species. Online enhancements: supplemental material.

×

The adrenergic system is known for its ability to influence various physiological and metabolic processes; however, its involvement in thyroid function in non-mammalian vertebrates remains poorly explored. Adult male lizards were treated with β-adrenergic agonists (isoproterenol, terbutaline, and L-isopropylamino-3-(2-thiazoloxy)-2-propanol) and the α-adrenergic antagonist (phentolamine). The effects of β-adrenergic agonists and the α-adrenergic antagonist administered as single and repeated injections were evaluated on plasma TSH, thyroid hormones, hepatic 5′-T4 ORD (type II monodeiodinase) activity, hepatic thyroid hormone contents, blood glucose levels, and thyroid gland histology. β-adrenergic stimulation produced a dose-dependent decrease in plasma TSH, accompanied by significant increases in circulating T3 and T4 levels. These changes were associated with enhanced hepatic monodeiodinase activity, increased hepatic T3 content, reduced hepatic T4 levels, and histological features indicative of thyroid activation. Repeated administrations amplified these effects. In contrast, phentolamine treatment increased plasma TSH levels but reduced circulating and hepatic T3, increased hepatic T4, and tended to decrease deiodinase activity, indicating impaired peripheral thyroid hormone activation. Histological analysis showed reduced follicular synthetic activity, although colloid resorption vacuoles were still present. IPT treatment produced no significant effects. All treatments induced hyperglycaemia, with stronger responses after repeated administrations, suggesting coordinated regulation of thyroid function and energy metabolism by adrenergic pathways. The results demonstrate that β-adrenergic signaling promotes thyroid activation and peripheral hormone conversion, whereas α-adrenergic blockade disrupts thyroid hormone homeostasis. These findings highlight a key role of adrenergic mechanisms in the neuroendocrine and metabolic regulation of reptiles, supporting their importance in physiological adaptation to environmental variability.

×

Podarcis muralis is among the most successful European lizards in colonizing human-made habitats, a trait that has facilitated its biological invasion both within and beyond its native range. Naturally associated with rocky habitats, it has adapted to human settlements, occupying mineral-based constructions with nearby vegetation. In Romania, the species naturally occurs at higher elevations in the southern and central Carpathians and their neighboring areas. However, isolated populations were recorded outside this natural range, on railways, along road edges, or on river embankments. In 2023 and 2024, we identified large populations on a flat plain in western Romania near the border with Hungary. In total, P. muralis was recorded in 5 localities in Romania and 3 localities in Hungary. Numerous individuals were observed. With one exception, juveniles were present in each locality, proving that the populations are reproducing. The new populations are forming a continuous distribution spanning eight settlements between Biharkeresztes (Hungary) and Oradea (Romania). Thus, at least in Romania, the populations seem isolated from those in the species` natural range, possibly connected to those in Hungary, which, in turn, are a new presence and were probably introduced. The absence of a connection between the distribution ranges in Romania rules out a natural advance towards the plains in response to climate warming. Thus, the possibility of both an eastward advance from Hungary and a human-mediated introduction (probably multiple independent events, given the many localities) remains plausible. The newly established populations display distinct ecological behavior compared to nearby mountain populations, suggesting possible differences in origin or genetic composition. Additional research should assess the potential threats posed by this invader to native P. muralis from higher elevations and to other native lowland lizards, notably Lacerta agilis, which appears to be replaced in some habitat types, like cemeteries.

×

This article presents data on the emergence of allochthonous populations of the lizard Podarcis muralis in the Republic of Moldova, occurring outside its native range. Such populations were described in 2012 near the port of Reni and on the rocky shore of Lake Cahul (Ukraine). In spring 2025 a local population of the common wall lizard on the territory of a building materials company in the Floresti district of Moldova was recorded. The population consisted of approximately 37 individuals, including juveniles. The conducted research suggests that Podarcis muralis can be considered a potential addition to the herpetofaunal complex of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

×

Competition for resources in closely related species in coexistence is associated with divergence in behavioral traits, the mechanisms of which are still unclear. Italian (Podarcis siculus) and Dalmatian (Podarcis melisellensis) wall lizards have similar ecological traits and coexist in the Eastern Adriatic; however, P. siculus has invasive potential and is often larger in body size. To understand their mechanisms of coexistence, we investigated exploratory behavior, activity levels, neophilia, neophobia, and morphometrics associated with locomotion in lizards of both sexes and species from three syntopic wild populations (n = 240). Overall, P. siculus was more exploratory, active, and neophilic. Movement was likely not linked to morphology, as only one variable (number of moving segments) was linked with the larger body size of P. siculus. Males of both species were more neophilic and bigger than females in all measured morphological parameters. The reported behavioral differences could explain how these two very similar species share environments in sympatry and provide insight into species-specific traits that could explain P. siculus invasion success.

×

Urbanization from expanding human development has radically altered the structure, ecology and microclimate of landscapes worldwide. These dramatic environmental alterations subject organisms to novel ecological conditions and may select for distinct ecophysiological traits. Here, we investigate the effects of urbanization on cutaneous evaporative water loss (CEWL) in the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and explore the potential environmental factors impacting physiology. In this Mediterranean setting, urban microhabitats were cooler and wetter, and urban lizards displayed higher CEWL than nonurban lizards. Increased urban lizard CEWL is a potential response to relaxed pressure for water conservation in areas with increased water availability from human activities, such as irrigation and ornamental water features. Our findings demonstrate that urbanization may shift microclimates and thus alter ectotherm ecophysiology. Quantifying these changes advances our understanding of how urbanization shapes organismal responses to novel environments and offers insights into adaptation and persistence in human-modified landscapes.

×

Non-native predators profoundly restructure island biological communities worldwide, yet their management is hindered by limited empirical understanding of the dynamics of predator spread and prey extirpation. Here, we integrate two decades of field surveys, citizen- science records and standardized transects to reconstruct the invasion of the snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis on Ibiza and its impact on the endangered, endemic lizard Podarcis pityusensis. We found a marked acceleration in range expansion despite intensified culling, evidence for the transition from establishment to spread stages of this invasion. Spatially explicit invasion maps combined with citizen reports of lizard disappearance show a nonlinear acceleration in the interval from predator arrival to local prey extirpation, shortening from over 10 years in early-invaded areas to 3 years in recently invaded areas. The observed patterns are consistent with density-dependent predator pressure, which generates a wave-like, rapidly advancing invasion front evidenced by declining snake body condition and reduced efficiency of snake captures in long-invaded areas. Our study empirically confirms theoretical predictions of nonlinear spread and impact dynamics and highlights how citizen science can crucially help documenting early invasion stages. Effectively incorporating the nonlinear dynamics of invasions into conservation strategies is urgent to mitigate invasion- driven transformations of fragile island ecosystems worldwide.

×

Background: Neural crest cells (NCCs) are migratory embryonic stem cells that give rise to a diverse set of cell types. Here we describe the dynamic distribution of NCCs in developing embryos of the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis inferred from 10 markers. Our aim is to provide insights into the NCC development of lacertid lizards and to infer evolutionary modifications by comparisons to other tetrapods. Results: NCC migration is ongoing at oviposition, following three streams in the head and multiple in the trunk. From 21ss, we observe expression patterns indicating the beginning of differentiation toward mesenchymal and neuronal fates. By 35ss, migration is restricted to caudal levels, and fully differentiated chromaffin cells are observed. Conclusions: We find that some markers show patterns that differ from other tetrapods. For example, the antibody HNK-1 labels three NCC streams from the hindbrain while some comparable reptile studies describe four. However, the information emerging from all markers combined shows that the overall spatiotemporal distribution of NCCs in the common wall lizard is largely conserved with that of other tetrapods. Our study highlights the dynamic nature of seemingly canonical marker genes and provides the first description of spatiotemporal NCC dynamics in a lacertid lizard.

×

Parasites have evolved a diversity of life styles that exploit the biology of their hosts. Some nematodes that parasitize mammals pass via the placenta or milk from one host to another. Similar cases of vertical transmission have never been reported in avian and non-avian reptiles, suggesting that egg laying may constrain themeans of parasite transmission. However, here we report the first incidence of transovarial transmission of a previously undescribed nematode in an egg-laying amniote, the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis . Nematodes enter the developing brain from the female ovary early in embryonic development. Infected lizard embryos develop normally and hatch with nematodes residing in their braincase. We present a morphological and molecular phylogenetic characterization of the nematode and suggest that particular features of lizard biology that are absent from birds and turtles facilitated the evolutionary origin of this novel life history.

×

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.

×

Three lacertid lizards inhabit Menorca and nearby islets: the endemic Podarcis lilfordi, restricted to small satellite islands, alongside the introduced Podarcis siculus and Scelarcis perspicillata. In this study, we investigated patterns of habitat use by these species within this insular system. Lizards were detected through visual surveys, and at each observation point, we measured meteorological, vegetation, and perch-use variables. We used the Outlying Mean Index to visualize multidimensional niche patterns and spatial probit regression to identify the environmental variables driving species separation. All three species were active under similar meteorological conditions and showed no segregation along topographic properties; however, their use of habitats and perch types showed both shared and species-specific patterns. Podarcis lilfordi and P. siculus used similar types of perches but diverged in habitat use, with P. siculus favoring more diverse, vegetated sites and P. lilfordi occurring in bush-dominated habitats. Scelarcis perspicillata occupied sparsely vegetated rocky habitats and vertical rocky perches. Broad distribution patterns indicated that S. perspicillata persists in patchy colonies, suggesting a restricted invasive potential, whereas P. siculus is highly adaptable and widespread. These findings suggest that the potential for P. siculus to compete with P. lilfordi over similar habitats exists if it reaches the islets, while such a scenario appears far less likely for S. perspicillata.

×

The number of alien species has increased significantly in recent decades, but only a few become invasive, posing threats to biodiversity and human activities. However, the invasive potential of alien species might depend on environmental compatibility and local conditions. The Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) has been introduced across Europe, North Africa, and North America, and its actual invasiveness varies by location. Detrimental impacts have been observed mainly on congeneric species, often due to competition or habitat overlap. Nevertheless, in some regions, including the United States, no evidence for spread and impact has been reported. On Gorgona Island, Italy, the Italian wall lizard was likely introduced accidentally around 2000 and has rapidly expanded. This study examined the colonization of the Italian wall lizard on Gorgona Island and its interaction with the native common wall lizard (P. muralis). Findings indicate the Italian wall lizard thrives in human‐altered habitats, while the common wall lizard persists in natural areas. The spread of the Italian wall lizard appears to be driven by environmental conditions rather than inherent aggressiveness, aligning with patterns observed on other Mediterranean islands. Its expansion stalled between 2021 and 2024, suggesting habitat saturation, not competition, limits spread. The study warns against labeling the Italian wall lizard as uniformly invasive, advocating context‐specific assessments to avoid misdirecting conservation resources.

×

We measured field water fluxes and metabolic rates for Aporosaura anchietae, a lacertid lizard living in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert, using doublylabeled water (H3H`80). Mass of males and females was significantly greater in summer 1976-77-autumn 1977 than in summer 1977-78. Water influx, efflux and field metabolic rate was positively correlated with body mass, but body mass loss per day in the field was negatively correlated with mass. Lizards were in negative water balance in summer 1976-77 and autumn 1977 but were in water balance and maintained mass in summer 1977-78. Minimum water requirement for body mass maintenance during the study period was 0.109 and 0.065 mL dfor males and females, respectively. We rarely observed drinking of fog water in these lizards. Water fluxes for A. anchietae were similar to juvenile Uma scoparia and lower than fluxes for the lizards of the genus Eremias from the Kalahari Desert. Bladder fluid mass for field animals was 113 mg and the fluid was hypo-osmotic to plasma (265 vs 410 mOsm/kg). Regulation of plasma sodium concentration occurred if animals were allowed to drink prior to dehydration experiment.

×

Understanding how environmental conditions shape the functional composition of ecological communities is a central goal in community ecology. In this study, we apply this framework to the reptile and amphibian assemblages within Greece’s Mount Chelmos protected area. Based on comprehensive field surveys (2018–2021) across 168 sampling stations, we compiled species trait databases and quantified functional diversity using a corrected Rao’s Q index. We modeled the response of functional diversity to climate, land cover, topography (altitude, slope, aspect), geographic location, and taxonomic diversity, using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Additionally, we examined traitspace structure via PCA and evaluated environmental drivers of trait composition with multivariate GAMs. For reptiles, functional diversity was significantly affected by altitude, climate, and aspect, with higher values predicted in water-associated marginal zones surrounding the mountain massif. Traitspace analysis revealed clear ecological structuring along axes related to locomotion, body size, reproductive mode, foraging strategy, and substrate use, shaped by distinct combinations of environmental filters. In amphibians, environmental effects on functional diversity were not statistically significant; however, traitspace showed discernible responses to land cover, climate, and aspect, suggesting weaker—though detectable—filtering processes. Collectively, our findings indicate that Mount Chelmos functions as a system that modulates diversity, with environmental filters operating at fine-to-medium spatial scales to shape the functional composition and diversity of its herpetofauna.

×

1. Island systems provide valuable natural laboratories for investigating how ecological constraints drive physiological evolution. Although dietary shifts are known to influence morphological divergence in insular lizards, their consequences for digestive physiology remain insufficiently understood.
2. Using 10 wild populations of the Skyros wall lizard (Podarcis gaigeae) across the Skyros Archipelago, we tested whether fine-scale variation in habitat and prey availability predicts divergence in digestive performance. We quantified arthropod abundance, gastrointestinal morphology, gut passage time, digestive enzyme activity and apparent digestive efficiency (ADE) under standardized laboratory conditions.
3. Islet populations consistently exhibited slower gut passage, longer gastrointestinal tracts, higher protease and lipase activities, and greater ADE relative to populations on the main island of Skyros, indicating enhanced digestive performance in resource-limited environments.
4. AICC-based model selection showed that prey availability and habitat type, rather than geographic distance or genetic relatedness, best explained patterns of digestive divergence among populations.
5. These results demonstrate repeated and independent adaptive responses to resource scarcity and highlight digestive plasticity as a key mechanism facilitating persistence in insular habitats.

×

We report the first confirmed occurrence of Anatololacerta pelasgiana on Chalki Island (Dodecanese, Greece). The species was detected exclusively in and around the main settlement and port, within an area of ~0.9 km², suggesting an established population likely originating from a recent human-mediated introduction. To infer source affinity, we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from two individuals and compared these sequences with published ones from Aegean and adjacent Anatolian populations. Based on the analysed length of the cytochrome b fragment, the Chalki specimens share a widespread haplotype known from Rhodes, Kastellorizo, and Athens (Greece), as well as from southwestern Turkey. These results suggest repeated, transport-mediated introductions likely from nearby Rhodes as a recurrent driver of secondary colonization in the southeastern Aegean and underscore local trade links as pathways for small-island translocations, potentially relevant to other reptiles in the region.

×

Genetically determined color morphs are found in many animals. Polymorphism can be maintained by social selection if competitive interactions allow each morph to increase in frequency when rare. This reliance on negative frequency–dependent selection should make color polymorphism vulnerable to the appearance of novel phenotypes that disrupt competitive interactions among morphs. We show that the origin and adaptive spread of a sexually selected syndrome in common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) selectively eliminates alleles coding for alternative color morphs that have been maintained for millions of years. The results demonstrate how the arrival of a novel phenotype can disrupt balancing selection, providing a link between rapid phenotypic evolution and the loss of color polymorphisms.

×

The bodies of animals host millions of microbial communities collectively known as the microbiome. The microbiome plays a crucial role in various processes related to the host’s health and well-being. Although our understanding of the microbiome’s importance to host functioning is growing rapidly, many aspects remain poorly understood. One such aspect is the role of the microbiome in chemical communication. To address this question, we used the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), a reptile with well-developed chemosensory abilities and commonly distributed in Central Europe. Our first goal was to characterize the bacterial microbiome associated with different body parts potentially involved in chemical signalling (e.g., femoral glands, cloaca, and skin). Additionally, we examined sex-related differences in the microbiome that could be connected to intraspecific communication. Over two years, a total of 274 samples were collected. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3–V4 region revealed significant variation in microbial diversity across body parts, with the skin hosting the most diverse and balanced communities. In contrast, the cloaca and femoral glands contained less diverse but more specialised assemblages. No differences in microbial diversity between sexes were observed, but the year of sampling was an important factor, suggesting a highly dynamic microbiome in sand lizards. There was minimal overlap in the number of unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between body parts, indicating a small core microbiome (∼1% of shared taxa). Sex differences in tissue-specific bacteria were more pronounced in the cloaca, supporting the idea that the cloacal microbiome is highly specialised. Our findings suggest that microbial communities vary significantly among body parts, with strong tissue specificity, indicating that each region provides a distinct ecological niche. This study offers promising directions for future research into how host-associated microbiomes could influence chemical communication in vertebrates.

×

In the year 1971., five pairs of italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus were translocated from Pod Kopište island to Pod Mrčaru island. After 36 years, scientists discovered that the P. siculus population competitively excluded the dalmatian wall lizard P. melisellensis on Pod Mrčaru island. Further comparative studies of P. siculus populations on two islands, Pod Kopište and Pod Mrčaru, have shown noticeable variations between two populations on the physiological, morphological and behavioural level. Evidence on higher sociability on Pod Mrčaru island, demonstrated a need for further studies, including behavioral comparisons and heritability testing. This work is focused on one behavioral trait, sociability. This work is part of HRZZ project Genraliz, which aims at answering questions regarding rapid adaptive evolution. Four groups of juvenile individuals are tested. The first group consists of juveniles whose parents originated from Pod Kopište island, while the second group consists of juveniles whose parents originated from Pod Mrčaru island. The third and fourth group include hybrids whose parents from both islands were reciprocally crossed. Preceding tests done on the parental generation showed that males from Pod Mrčaru island exhibit higher sociability behavior than females from both islands, and males from Pod Kopište island. The results of this study haven`t shown any significant differences in sociability between the four tested groups. Future studies should include juvenile and adult comparisons, as well as genom-wide sequencing and transcriptome studies.

×

This work reports a population of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus), observed for the first time along the Entella River in Carasco (Metropolitan City of Genoa, Liguria, NW Italy) in spring 2024. Nine field surveys were carried out between March and June in 2024, 2025 and 2026. During these surveys, multiple individuals, including adults and juveniles, were recorded. We review the species distribution along the Ligurian coast and southern France, discussing the status of natural populations and framing the introduction vectors of non-native ones. Given the historical records in the neighboring areas and the increasing occurrence of newly introduced populations of P. siculus in Italy and worldwide, we highlight the importance of monitoring this population and assessing its interactions with P. muralis.

×

Understanding how communication systems evolve across heterogeneous environments requires examining multiple signalling modalities. In 2017 and 2018, we examined geographic variation in chemical signals of the insular lizard Gallotia galloti across 16 sites on Tenerife (Canary Islands). We analysed interpopulation variation in the lipophilic fraction of male femoral gland secretions in relation to vegetation cover (NDVI), local sex ratio, ectoparasite load and macroclimatic factors. In 2023, we also analysed visual signals of two lizard phenotypes that occur in contrasting habitats of Tenerife. We modelled the chromatic and achromatic conspicuousness of colour patches under both a conspecific (lacertid) and an avian predator visual system to examine habitat‐dependent divergence in signal detectability. Chemical signal diversity decreased with increasing shrub vegetation cover, while males from sites with male‐biased sex ratios exhibited greater individual chemical richness, consistent with heightened intrasexual competition. Populations in xeric habitats and with higher mite loads showed relatively higher proportions of α‐tocopherol, whereas greener habitats were associated with higher proportions of steroids. In contrast, visual analyses revealed that lizards from densely vegetated habitats exhibited greater chromatic conspicuousness and larger chromatic volumes, particularly under the conspecific visual model. Achromatic contrast showed weaker habitat‐dependent differentiation, consistent with the hypothesis that luminance divergence is constrained by predator‐mediated selection due to the high luminance sensitivity of avian visual systems. Thus, in open habitats, persistent and chemically diverse secretions may enhance communication efficiency under increased exposure, whereas in vegetated environments chromatic visual signals appear to be amplified, potentially driven by sexual selection while constrained by predation risk. These findings suggest that environmental heterogeneity can promote complementary divergence across signalling modalities, highlighting the importance of integrating sensory ecology and social context to understand the evolution of animal communication.

×

We hypothesized that, through persistent predatory attacks, lizards should increase progressively the magnitude of their escape response. We simulated in the field a continuous attack by a persistent predator on Acanthodactylus erythrurus lizards and examined the characteristics of successive escape responses, microhabitats used for fleeing, and the refuges used. Lizards responded to the persistent attacks by increasing the distances they fled and the degree of cover in microhabitats into which they escaped. Lizards also changed their escape strategy from the first to the successive attacks. Initially, most individuals did not hide but stopped after running and remained vigilant, whereas almost all individuals hid subsequently. In addition, after successive predatory attacks, lizards used more structurally complex refuges (i.e., larger and with more obstructive cover). These refuges were probably safer although they may lower the lizard’s capacity to observe the predator’s subsequent behavior. These data suggest that lizards interpret persistent predatory attacks as an increase in predation risk and that lizards adjusted the magnitude of their escape and antipredatory responses to predation risk level.

×

Cities are expanding globally, exposing animals to novel ecological conditions that can alter the frequency and nature of their social interactions. Urban habitat features, such as built infrastructure and patchy resource distributions, can constrain movement and promote aggregation, potentially increasing encounters among conspecifics and introducing unique social challenges. Understanding how urbanization affects social behaviour is therefore crucial. However, these effects remain poorly understood, and studies on solitary or non-gregarious species are particularly scarce. Here, we investigate how urbanization influences social behaviour in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), a territorial species and successful urban dweller. We constructed social networks using proximity-based association data from urban and nonurban lizard populations. Urban lizards had more social connections, stronger associations and were observed in more associations overall. These differences were not explained by variation in population density. We propose that spatial constraints and resource heterogeneity in urban habitats may enhance social tolerance. Our results reveal that urbanization can reshape social behaviour even in less gregarious species and suggest that shifts in social strategies may facilitate persistence in urban landscapes.

×

Genetic variability, one of the main factors that guarantees species persistence, and species’ conservation status are generally evaluated with indices calculated at the present time. Natural history collections might help compare historical and current genetic diversity so to identify major trends. Here we analysed museum specimens of the lizard Zootoca vivipara carniolica, with a specific and stringent protocol for degraded DNA, in order to contrast its past and current genetic variability, using fragments of one mitochondrial DNA gene. Part of the distributional range of Z. v. carniolica (Po Plain, Italy), heavily impacted by human activities, was investigated. We found two previously unknown haplotypes in populations that are extinct today, suggesting the loss of these haplotypes and thus an overall shrinking of genetic variability. We argue that these results, together with the increasing threats posed by climate and land use changes, suggest that specific conservation measures for the persistence of Z. v. carniolica in Northern Italian lowlands have to be considered.

×

Reproductive success is determined by the presence and timing of encounter of mates. The latter depends on species-specific reproductive characteristics (e.g., initiation/duration of the mating window), season, and reproductive strategies (e.g., intensity of choosiness) that may potentially mitigate constraints imposed by mating windows. Despite their potentially crucial role for fitness and population dynamics, limited evidence exists about mating window initiation, duration, and reproductive strategies. Here, we experimentally tested the mechanisms of initiation and the duration of the common lizard`s Zootoca vivipara mating window by manipulating the timing of mate encounter and analyzing its effect on (re-)mating probability. We furthermore tested treatment effects on female reproductive strategies by measuring female choosiness. The timing of mate encounter and season did not significantly affect mating probability. However, a longer delay until mate encounter reduced female choosiness. Re-mating probability decreased with re-mating delay and was independent of mating delay. This indicates that mating window initiation depends on mate encounter, that its duration is fixed, and that plastic reproductive strategies exist. These findings contrast with previous beliefs and shows that mating windows per se may not necessarily constrain reproductive success, which is congruent with rapid range expansion and absence of positive density effects on reproductive success (Allee effects). In summary, our results show that predicting the effect of mating windows on reproduction is complex and that experimental evidence is essential for evaluating their effect on reproduction and reproductive strategies, both being important determinants of population dynamics and the colonization of new habitats.

×

Climate change is now considered to be the greatest threat to biodiversity and ecological networks, but its impacts on the bacterial communities associated with plants and animals remain largely unknown. Here, we studied the consequences of climate warming on the gut bacterial communities of an ectotherm, the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), using a semi-natural experimental approach. We found that 2–3 °C warmer climates cause a 34% loss of populations’ microbiota diver¬sity, with possible negative consequences for host survival.

×

Inselsysteme bieten leistungsstarke natürliche Labore zur Untersuchung der Prozesse, die Artgrenzen aufrechterhalten. Die auf den Inseln Teneriffa und La Palma endemische Eidechse Gallotia galloti umfasst vier traditionell anerkannte Unterarten, die sich in Morphologie, Färbung, Ökologie und geografischer Verbreitung unterscheiden. Wir nutzten phylogenomische Analysen auf Basis ultrakonservierter Elemente (UCE), koaleszenzbasierte Artabgrenzung und Netzwerkanalysen, um Artgrenzen zu überprüfen und Introgression zu untersuchen. Die phylogenomischen Analysen identifizierten G. g. palmae konsistent als früh divergierende Linie, wobei G. g. galloti die Schwestergruppe einer Klade aus G. g. eisentrauti und G. g. insulanagae bildete. Die Artabgrenzungsanalysen bestätigten unter allen gewählten Parametern nachdrücklich den eigenständigen Status von G. g. palmae. Zudem wurde die Trennung von G. g. eisentrauti und G. g. insulanagae in den meisten Modellen gestützt. Hauptkoordinatenanalysen zeigten eine starke genetische Gruppierung, die mit den Unterartgrenzen übereinstimmte; trotz geografischer Kontaktzonen zwischen G. g. galloti und G. g. eisentrauti fanden sich keine Hinweise auf Retikulation. Dies deutet auf eine langfristige Isolation hin, die mit einer Divergenz seit dem Mittelpleistozän vereinbar ist. Aufgrund der phänotypischen Unterscheidbarkeit und der genomischen Eigenständigkeit erheben wir G. palmae in den Artstatus (stat. nov.) und empfehlen weitere integrative Untersuchungen der verbleibenden Linien. Unsere Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung von Isolation, ökologischer Spezialisierung und Selektion für die Aufrechterhaltung von Artgrenzen bei insularen Wirbeltieren.

×

Although the majority of adult lizards are able to regenerate lost portions of tails, only rarely have instances of limb or digit regeneration been observed. The present work describes the histological features of the stumps of limbs and digits of Lacerta vivipara and Lacerta dugesii at various times after amputation, and compares these features with those which are seen after amputation or autotomy of the tail. The results show that the early stages of healing of the limbs and digits are similar to the early stages of tail regeneration. The epidermis which migrates over the wound becomes thickened, and cells released from dedifferentiating stump tissues accumulate beneath it. In one case, that of a digit, a papilla was seen extending from the wound epidermis into the blastema. During the later stages of healing differences between the events taking place in the limbs and digits, and the tail, become marked. The blastema fails to increase in size, and it appears that most of its cells are converted into a cartilage cap and sleeve investing the cut end of the bone. An investigation has also been made of the regenerative ability of the limbs of embryonic Lacerta vivipara. Limbs were amputated in ovo at various stages of embryonic life, but no cases of regeneration were observed.

×

Dispersing common lizards were trapped in pitfall traps buried along both sides of an enclosure that fenced the study area. Local movements across the fence comprised about half of the captures made. An estimated 25% of the movements were not recorded by the traps. Less than 10% of the emigrants were detected by searching the surroundings of the plot. Use of the method described resulted in a tenfold increase of the accuracy of the emigration estimates compared to estimates obtained by searching the surroundings of the area.

×

The identification of the parthenogenetic Uzzell’s lizard, Darevskia uzzelli (Darevsky & Danielyan, 1977), in Armenia represents the first record of this species in the country. Before this discovery, D. uzzelli was considered an endangered species endemic to a small region of northeastern Türkiye. Genetic and morphological analyses have confirmed that the Armenian lizards are indeed D. uzzelli, consistent with specimens from Türkiye. Morphological and genetic data also firmly discriminate D. uzzelli from the closely related parthenogenetic species D. unisexualis. Our results reveal significant morphological variation in this parthenogen among populations. Notably, the sympatric area in Armenia where D. uzzelli has been identified is unique for hosting the richest known assemblage of parthenogenetic lizards. Here, D. uzzelli coexists with three other parthenogenetic species already known to inhabit the region: D. unisexualis, D. armeniaca, and D. dahli. This exceptional population requires continuous study and protection due to its high scientific value.

×

A questionnaire was circulated to several European herpetologists and a large amount of original and unpublished information was obtained on details of the habitat of the Sand Lizard (L. agilis). Throughout Europe, L. agilis inhabits a variety of environments including open woodland, scrub, dwarf shrub associations, grasslands and dune habitats. Two common features were open but diverse vegetation structure and open areas of soil for egg incubation. In the North West of its range (England, Sweden and The Netherlands), L. agilis seems to be restricted to areas with a sandy substratum but any loose, welldrained soil is suitable in central Europe. A comparison between Continental and Southern England habitat L. agilis features suggests that this species is more specialized (in terms of habitat ecology) in Enland)

×

During August 1976, 30 sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) were removed from a heathland National Nature Reserve. A few days before this most of the Reserve had been destroyed by a fire and about 800 lizards were killed. A specially designed vivarium was later constructed on an unburnt part of the Reserve and lizards were released in the vivarium during 1978. The objective was to return the lizards to the Reserve, using a controlled method, and assist the natural recolonization process. Three years later (in 1981) the vivarium had a small breeding population of sand lizards.

×

Chigger mite species Schoengastia propria Audy and Womersley, 1957, described from a snake in India, is redescribed based on new materials collected from an alcohol-fixed museum specimen of a lizard from Iran, as well as from a rat in Thailand.