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1. Das Geruchsvermögen ist bei den Eidechsen (L. viridis, L. agilis, L. muralis) gut ausgebildet. Sämtliche Beute wird gerochen 2. Die Nase spielt eine bei weitem größere Rolle als das Jabobsonsche Organ. Dieses tritt, übereinstimmend mit den Befunden Kahmanns, nur akzessorisch in Funktion zum unmittelbaren Prüfen vor oder in dem Munde. 3. Der Beutegruch wird durch die Nase aus ca. 8 bis 10 cm Entfernung sichtbar wahrgenommen (durch die gesteigerte Brustatmung, die als „Pumpen“ bezeichnet wurde, erkenntlich) und löst Suchbewegungen aus. 4. Dieser allein ist bei Ausfall des optischen Sinnes befähigt, Zubeißen und Freßakt, selbst bei ungeeigneten Objekten, auszulösen. Es ist höchstwahrscheinlich, daß ein Geruchsscheme den Tieren angeboren ist. 5. Eidechsen lassen sich entgegen diesem angeborenen Geruchsscheme auf fremden Geruch positiv dressieren, wie Versuche mit stark süßlich duftenden Öl aufzeigten. Es gelang, andressierte Eidechsen nach Steinen usw., die mit Dressurduft markiert waren, beißen zu lassen, selbst als die Tiere im Besitz ihres optischen Sinnes waren. 6. Es hat den Anschein, als würden die Lacerten zirka eine Woche zur Bildung neuer Assoziationen benötigen, sobald sie täglich andressiert werden. Diese Zeitspanne wurde ungefähr bei den von mir durchgeführten Geruchs- und Geschmacksdressuren, sowie auch bei den Gehördresuren von Berger (1924) als Lernzeit benötigt. 7. Die Eidechsen konnten durch Vergällung einer bestimmten Beute mit Kochsalz dazu gebracht werden, bei gleichzeitiger Ausschaltung des optischen Sinnes diese Beute zu meiden, nahmen jedoch andere Nahrungsobjekte an. Durch Engerstellung der Verschiedenheit der Beutetiere konnte gezeigt werden, daß die Echsen in der Lage sind, selbst feinste Qualitätsunterschiede des Geruches zu registrieren. Sie vermochten Grillen von Locustiden, und weiters Locustiden untereinander geruchlich zu unterscheiden, auch wenn diese lebend und unvergällt angeboten wurden. 8. Auf dieses Vermögen dürfte die Bildung eines erworbenen Nahrungskreises zurückzuführen sein. Für sein Bestehen spricht die Bevorzugung von Lieblingsfutter, sowie die Ablehnung gewisser Beutetiere schon aus relativ großer Entfernung. 9. Freilandbeobachtungen zeigen, daß der Geruch bei Nahrungssuche, in unübersichtlichem Gelände von großer Bedeutung sein dürfte, analog zu den Feststellungen im Laborversuch. 10. Der arteigene Geruch ist bei Lacerta viridis wesentlich am endgültigen Festlegen im Verhalten gegenüber dem Artgenossen als Gegner oder Geschlechtspartner beteiligt. Ein Männchen dieser Art kämpft nicht gegen ein anderes, sobald dieser Reiz in der Reizsumme fehlt. Umgekehrt wird bei Anwesenheit des typischen Geruches gekämpft, auch wenn die optischen Merkzeichen stark verändert erscheinen; daraus wird die Bedeutung dieses Faktors im Reizsummenphänomen beim Paarungsverhalten ersichtlich. Der geschlechts-charakteristische Geruch stammt nicht aus den Schenkelporen, da eine operative Entfernung derselben keinerlei Änderung des Verhaltens bewirkte. 11. Die Nasenhöhle registriert Luftfeuchtigkeit und ermöglicht den Eidechsen das Wasser gerichtet aufzufinden. Die Nase darf daher als Alarm- und Leitsinnesorgan bezeichnet werden. Bei der Auffindung von Wasser kann der optische Sinn zusätzlich in Aktion treten, wobvei auf stark lichtbrechende Stellen angesprochen wird. 12. Bei Ausschaltung des Olfactorius sind die Tiere nicht imstande, Wasser zu finden, außer in optisch günstigen Fällen. 13. Freilandbeobachtungen zeigen, daß die Eidechsen durch Tau und Regenfall ihr Wasserbedürfnis gedeckt finden. Bei großer Trockenheit ziehen sich die Tiere zu einem Trockenschlaf zurück, den sie unterbrechen, sobald genügend Feuchtigkeit vorhanden ist. Die Luftfeuchtigkeit wird von den versteckt liegenden Tieren durch die Nase perzipiert und veranlaßt das Aufsuchen der Feuchtigkeitsquelle. Diese Annahme machen Freilandbeobachtungen auch in der natürlichen Umwelt höchst wahrscheinlich.

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Algyroides moreoticus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis melisellensis fiumana, Podarcis muralis albanica, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis sicula campestris, Podarcis taurica ionica, Podarcis taurica taurica.

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Vorarbeiten über Schädlingsfauna der Kriehtieren (Reptilien) in der Türkei -- Die Kriehtiere leben meistens auf dem Lande. Viele sind Insektenfresser. Zahlreiche Arten nehmen tierische und pflanzliche, oder ausschliesslich pflanzliche Nahrung zu sich. Ihre wirtschaftliche Schäden an Kulturpflanzen sind gelegentlich. Die besonderen Arten von Pflanzenschädlingen, die in der Türkei leben, sind noch nicht genugend untersucht. Darüber findet man heute sehr wenige und nur zerstreute Veröffentlichungen und Beobachtungen in der Hand. In dieser Vorarbeit sind die bisheute bekannten pflanzenschädliche Arten von Kriehtieren bzw. Eidechsen und Schildkröten, in ihren Verbreitungsgebieten und ihre Nährpflanzen zum erstenmale zusammengestellt. Selbstverstândlioh sind darüber weitere und vertiefte Beobachtungen erforderlich. -- Die Arten der Eidechsen: Agama stellio L. (Schleuderschwanz). Verbreitung: Anatolien, Ankara (Ebner 1919, Kerville 1939). Nährpflanzen: Die süssen Früchten wie Feigen, Pfirsiche, Zuckermelonen, und andere Früohte, Salate, Lattichsalate.,- Agama stellio stellio L. Verbreitung: Süd - und west Türkei, Amasya, Nigde, Diyarbakir, Kayseri, Çanakkale (Bodenheimer 1946 und andere). Nährpflanzen: Wie bei Agama stellio L. -- Agama ruderata Oliv. (Ankara, Kerville 1939), Agama ruderata ruderata Oliv. Ankara, Eregli (Konya), Mardin, Nusaybin, Gaziantep und Malatya (Bodenheimer 1946), Eine Probe in Eregli (Konya) wurde vom Verfasser gefunden. Nährpflanzen: Noch nicht festgestellt, vielleicht wie bei Agama stellio L. -- Lacerta viridis Laur. var. major D. und B. (Srnaragdeidechse). Verbreitung: Westanatolien, andere Fundorte sind nicht bekannt. Nährpflanzen: Weintrauben, Feigen, Kirchen und andere süsse Früchten. Note: Noch mehrere Lacerta Arten wurden in der Türkei gefunden, ob sie pflanzliche Nahrung zu sich nehmen oder nicht, ist unklar. -- Die Arten der Schildkröten. Testudo graeca L. (Grichische Schildkröte). Verbreitung: Fast in allen Geblieten der Türkei. Nährpflanzen: Steppenpflanzen, junges Getreide - Baumwolle -Luzerne - Pflanzen, Gemüsen, Weintrauben, Blätter und Juruge Triebe von vielen jungen Pflanzen. -- Emys orbicularis L. (Surnpf-oder Europäische Schildkröte). Verbreuitung: Ankara (Kerville 1939), Manisa, Bursa, Kayseri, Eski¬sehir, Adapazari, Turhal (Bodenheimer 1946 und andere). Nährpflanzen: Wedntrauben, Zucker-und Wassermelonen. - Note: Noch andere Arten der Schâldknöten leben auch in der Türkei, aber ihre Nahrung ist nicht bekannt.

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Die landgebundenen Wirbeltiere des festländischen Iberiens (Süßwasserfische, Amphibien, Reptilien mit Ausnahme der Meeresschildkröten, Säugetiere mit Ausnahme der Chiroptera, Pinnipedia und Cetacea) bilden, wie im einzelnen gezeigt wird, in ihrer Gesamtheit eine besondere faunistische Einheit: ungefähr die Hälfte der Formen (Spezies oder Subspezies) ist endemisch; das gilt für 73 % der echten Süßwasserfische, 47 % der Amphibien, 36 % der Reptilien und 53 % der Säugetiere. Die geographische Isolierung durch die Pyrenäen und das Mittelmeer ist gewiß die Hauptursache für die Entwicklung einer so eigenartigen Fauna, aber auch andere Faktoren (die sehr verschiedenen Klimate und Biotope innerhalb Iberiens, der im Vergleich mit anderen Gebieten Europas geringere Einfluß der Vereisungen usw. haben sicher ebenfalls eine sehr wichtige Rolle gespielt. Acanthodactylus erythrurus erythrurus, Algyroides hidalgoi, Algyroides marchi marchi, Algyroides marchi niethammeri, Lacerta agilis agilis, Lacerta hispanica hispanica, Lacerta hispanica bocagei, Lacerta hispanica vaucheri, Lacerta lepida lepida, Lacerta lepida nevadensis, Lacerta monticola monticola, Lacerta monticola cantabrica, Lacerta monticola cyreni, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta viridis viridis, Lacerta vivipara, Psammodromus algirus algirus, Psammodromus hispanicus hispanicus, Psammodromus hispanicus edwardsianus.

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Determining the age of any species allows it to be analyzed from the ontogenetic, demographic, and ecological perspectives. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the age structure of congener species (Lacerta media and Lacerta viridis) with the same ecological niche may vary in different areas. In this context, we applied skeletochronology method to reveal various demographic parameters, such as age structure, longevity, age at sexual maturity, growth rate, survival rate, adult life expectancy, and the relationship between age and body size in the green lizard, L. viridis, and the medium lizard, L. media. In L. media and L. viridis, the maximum lifespan was 10 and 8 years, respectively. The mean age and body size of females were significantly greater than those of males in L. media. However, in the examined L. viridis population, no appreciable variation in mean age or body size was found to exist between the sexes. It was estimated that the green lizards reach maturity at the age of 2 or 3 years. However, the L. media reached sexual maturity approximately 1 year later than the congener. The body size markedly increased with age in males for both studied populations. However, in females, body size positively increased with age only in L. media. The approach of skeletochronology that we utilized in this study to assess age structure makes it simple to gather a variety of time-dependent ecological data for such ectothermic species.

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Es wurden zwei elektrophoretische Methoden zur genetischen Untersuchung der Smaragdeidechse Lacerta viridis durchgeführt. I. Die Polyacrylamid-Gel Elektrophorese erzielte folgende Ergebnisse. 1. Es trat eine bei allen Individuen homogene Albuminbande mit leichten, nicht spezifizierbaren Schwankungen auf. 2. Vier verschiedene Globulin-Loci ohne Variationen hinsichtlich des Geschlechts oder physiologischer Parameter konnten unterschieden werden. 3. Die Globuline traten in zwei typischen Formationen auf. Diese waren jeweils diagnostisch für Tiere aus Frankreich und Rheinoland-Pfalz, sowie für Tiere aus Brandenburg, Österreich, Ungarn und Euböa. Es konnte ein Ost- und ein Westtypus unterschieden werden. 4. Weder Transferrine noch Postalbumine ließen sich deutlich anfärben oder auswerten. II. Die Celluloseacetat-Gel Elektrophorese der Allozyme der zellulären Blutbedstandteile. 1. Von 37 Enzymen konnten 14 mit insgesamt 17 Loci untersucht werden. 2. Sechs der 17 Loci waren polymorph (35 %(. Diese waren: Acontinase, Peptidase-A, -B1, -B2, -D, 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydrogenase. 3. Die beiden Allele der Aconitase waren diagnostisch für den West- und den Osttypus. 4, Bei den anderen polymorphen Peptidasen konnten typische Ost-West-Variationen erkannt werden. III. Es wurde eine nummerische Auswertung mit Hilfe von Computerprogrammen durchgeführt. 1. Die ermittelte Heterozygotie lag bei Werten zwischen 0.02 und 0.05. Die Heterozygotie-Werte der untersuchten Populationen mit weniger als 4 Individuen erschienen nicht representativ. 2. Die Heterozygotie der Populationen von Rhein und Brandenburg erreichte nur die Hälfte derjenigen aus Österreich. Dies wurde mit einer genetischen Verarmung durch Isolation und Inzucht gedeutet. 3. Die Berechnung der genetischen Distanzen erfolgte nach NEI (1970). 4. Innerhalb der Osttiere und Westtiere lagen die genetischen Distanzen mit Werten von 0.0 bis 0.04 sehr niedrig. Man kann daraus eine sehr langsame Mutationsgeschwindigkeit ableiten. 5. Bei den genetischen Distanzen ergaben sich zwischen den Populationen des Ost- und des Westtypus der Smaragdeidechsen Werte zwischen 0.354 und 0.38. Diese liegen etwa auf dem Niveau von Distanzen zwischen anderen Lacertiden-Arten. IV. Interpretation der Daten Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung wurden zusammen mit Daten weiterer Arbeiten dahingehend gedeutet, daß es sich bei den Tieren aus dem westlichen Teil des Verbreitungsgebietes und denen aus dem östlichen Areal um zwei Arten handelt. Sie wurden als Lacerta bilineata (DAUDIN 1802) für den Westteil und Lacerta viridis (Laurenti 1768) für den Ostteil bezeichnet. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse unterstützten die These, daß die Smaragdeidechse postglazial aus zwei verschiedenen Regugialräumen östlich und westlich der Alpen nach Norden vorgedrungen ist. Aufgrund der deutlichen Unterschiede zwischen den beiden deutschen Vorkommen kann anagenommen werden, daß sich die beiden Arten nördlich der Alpen postglazial nicht überschnitten haben. Über kleinräumige Wanderbewegungen kann mit den vorliegenden Daten keine Aussage gemacht werden. Eine Mischzone der Arten südlich der Alpen wird in Kroatien und Slowenien erwartet.

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Electrophoretic investigations of six populations of green lizards from Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe are consistent with results from hybridization experiments and confirm species status for the western green lizard, Lacerta bilineata. NE! distances of 0.16- 0.19 found between L. viridis and L. bilineata are within the range found for other sister species of lacertids. Lizards from the Greek island of Euboea differ slightly from typical viridis morphologically and electrophoretically, which is again consistent with hybridization results. The proven practicability of experimental hybridization provides support for the biological species concept.

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TERRA TYPICA. Vienna, Austria. DISTRIBUTION. It is distributed in middle and southern Europe, in the north-western part of Asia Minor, on the most part of Moldova and south-west of the right-bank Ukraine. On the valley of the river Dnieper it nearly reaches Kiev. In its middle current it appears in the left-bank area, where on the valley of the river Vorskla reaches the Poltava city in the region with the same name. Of five described subspecies L. v. viridis Laurenti, 1768 occurs in the Ukraine and in Moldova. CONSERVATION STATUS. On the most part of the distribution range the number of the species is stable.

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The author updates the knowledge on the herpetofauna of southern Dobruja according to his own studies within the area, during 1993-1998, when he identified 18 taxa. They represent 37.5% of the total amphibian and reptile species from Romania. Also the author makes some remarks on respective ecosystems and on the urgent protection need of some species.

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Three different lizard species can be found at the great pasture of Hajúbagos. These are the balkan or crimean wall lizard (Podarcis taurica), the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and the green lizard (Lacerta viridis). All of them are protected by law in Hungary but while sand lizard and green lizard is common all over the country, the amount of the balkan wall lizard is decreasing. The main cause of this regrettable possession is the habitat degradation and thus habitat loss. Namely balkan wall lizard not only prefers but suffers open sand grasslands and these kinds of habitats are disappearing in Hungary. Due to the fact that the extensive animal grazing lost its importance, open sand pastures started to change, succession can be realized. Thus grass closing constantly what is favourable for sand lizard and green lizard. Furthermore sand lizard and balkan wall lizard share roughly the same foodsource and moreover green lizard could possibly pass into a predator of balkan wall lizard juveniles also. Therefore sand lizard and green lizard became competitors (or predators) of balkan wall lizard and the proportion of the three species compared to each other is changing. My aim is to examine the vegetation change and simultaneously monitor the amount of the mentioned three lizard species. After all I would like to make a well established proposal on the management of protected grasslands.

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The author describes a herpetological vacation in southern France. Reptiles and amphibians were abundant in this region. Areas of interest were: La Petite Crau, La Plaine de Ia Crau, Les Alpilles, Les Rochers de Ia Pene and Le Barrage de Sr. Remy. The author was especially interested in spotting Ocellared Lizards (Timon lepida) bur didn` r succeed in finding them. Nevertheless a lot of other animals were seen, as is shown in the table. Nor mentioned in the table are several Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), that were seen at Le Barrage de St. Remy. In addition the author visited Le Village de Torrue at Gonfaron (breeding-center for Testudo hermanni and Testudo graeca) and several other pla- ces in the Sr. Remy region.

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The sensory innervation of the pineal organ of adult Lacerta viridis has been investigated. Some specimens of Lacerta muralis lillfordi were also used. In the pineal epithelium, a small number of nerve cell pericarya of a sensory type are present. They lie either solitary or in small clusters close to the basement membrane. The axons originating from the nerve cell bodies, i. e. the pineal sensory nerve fibers, first course in the intraepithelial nerve fiber layer which is only locally present and contains a restricted number of unmyelinated fibers. In Lacerta viridis, the pineal fibers generally leave the epithelium at the proximal part of the organ proper. They then form small bundles which run along the outer surface of the basement membrane in the leptomeningeal connective tissue covering. At the proximal end of the pineal stalk the single bundles assemble constituting the pineal nerve. In Lacerta muralis the fibers leave the pineal epithelium at the proximal end of the stalk running farther down within the epithelium. Many fibers become myelinated after leaving the pineal epithelium. The pineal nerve runs ventralward in the midplane just caudal to the habenular commissure to which no fibers are given off. Continuing their ventralward course between the habenular commissure and the rostral end of the posterior commissure which is traversed by some of them, the pineal fibers reach the dorsal border of the subcommissural organ. Small separate aberrant pineal bundles traverse the posterior commissure at various more caudal levels. Having reached the dorsal border of the subcommissural organ, part of the pineal fibers continue their ventralward course directly running along the lateral sides of this organ to reach the periventricular nerve fiber layer lateral and ventral to it. A restricted number of fibers first turns in a caudal direction running between the base of the posterior commissure and the base of the subcommissural organ before turning ventralward to reach the periventricular layer. Most probably, pineal fibers do neither join the posterior commissural system nor innervate the subcommissural organ. Once having reached the periventricular layer, some pineal fibers curve in a rostral direction while others, before doing so, send a collateral in a caudal direction. Both, the main fibers and the collaterals, contribute to the formation of the periventricular layer. The sites of termination of the pineal fibers could not be ascertained. From the presence of intraepithelial sensory nerve cell bodies and from literature data on the ultrastructure of pineal neurosensory cells it is concluded that the adult pineal organ of Lacerta has a, although rudimentary, (photo)sensory function. The demonstration by our guest-worker Dr. W. B. Quay, of the intraepithelial presence of a tryptamine compound, probably serotonin, points, moreover, to a secretory function of this organ. In adult Lacerta a well-developed parietal nerve connects the parietal eye with the left lateral habenular nucleus. It traverses the habenular commissure.

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A total of 58 (24 MM , 34 VV ) Lacerta viridis specimens, which were collected from Turkish Thrace and the Black Sea region of Anatolia, were evaluated serologically. The analyses support the view that a single race of L. viridis (L. v. meridionalis) inhabits Turkey.

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Algyroides fitzingeri, Algyroides marchi, Algyroides moreoticus, Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta lepida, Lacerta princeps, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta strigata, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta andreanszkyi, Lacerta armeniaca, Lacerta bedriagae, Lacerta brandtii, Lacerta cappadocica, Lacerta caucasica, Lacerta chlorogaster, Lacerta cyanura, Lacerta danfordi, Lacerta derjugini, Lacerta dugesii, Lacerta fraasii, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta horvathi, Lacerta jayakari, Lacerta laevis, Lacerta monticola, Lacerta mosorensis, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta parva, Lacerta perspicillata, Lacerta praticola, Lacerta rudis, Lacerta saxicola, Lacerta vivipara, Gallotia atlantica, Gallotia galloti, Gallotia simonyi, Podarcis erhardii, Podarcis filfolensis, Podarcis hispanica, Podarcis lilfordi, Podarcis melisellensis, Podarcis milensis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis pityusensis, Podarcis sicula, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis tiliguerta, Podarcis wagleriana, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus blanci, Psammodromus hispanicus, Psammodromus microdactylus.

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The ability to shed (autotomize) all or part of the tail, usually in response to predator attack, and often to subsequently regenerate it is widespread in lizards and amphisbaenians and also occurs in a few snakes and in the tuatara. Most species possess a sophisticated intravertebral autotomy mechanism which seems to be primitive in the Squamata. This appears to have been independently lost in members of many groups, but some agamids and snakes have regained the ability to shed their tails by a simpler intervertebral means and a -number of agamids have also redeveloped tail regeneration as well. Breakable tails are used to evade capture in two main ways: by enabling reptiles to break away from predators that have grasped them by the tail and by providing a distraction which deflects the attention of the attacker away from the vulnerable head and body. It is argued that loss of caudal autotomy has occurred when the costs of tail shedding outweigh its benefits. Likely costs include the expense of regrowing the tail and the loss of a variety of possible tail functions that may cause partial incapacitation, at least until the tail regenerates. Benefits of autotomy are liable to be low if predation is rare, if the animal is able to protect itself effectively in other ways, if it is too slow to evade further pursuit after the tail is shed, or if the tail is small or unpalatable and consequently not likely to distract a predator. Benefit variation may well be greater than cost variation and therefore more important in initiating the loss of autotomy mechanisms. Many taxa that do not shed the tail appear to conform to the above interpretation, but in some cases, such as the Platynota, Agamidae and Chamaeleonidae, lack of intravertebral autotomy may reflect the history of these groups rather than being a direct result of present ecological pressures. The distribution of intervertebral autotomy in the Agamidae suggests that it may have evolved only in rather special circumstances where tail fragility is advantageous even in the absence of the ability to regenerate. Restriction ot autotomy planes to the tail-base, so that the whole organ is lost, a condition found in a number of relatively slow-moving geckoes, is interpreted as a means of ensuring that enough of the tail is shed to distract a predator from further pursuit. The stimulus necessary to induce autotomy can vary rapidly in individual lizards and at least some of these changes probably maximize the effectiveness of the tail-shedding mechanism. Differences in the readiness with which all or part of the tail is shed exist between species and are likely to reflect the balance of costs and benefits in particular cases. Variations in incidence of broken tails between species and populations may be due to such differences in fragility but many other factors may play a part, including the age structure of samples, incidence of unsuccessful attacks by predators and ability to evade predators after autotomy. There is a clear tendency for climbing lizards, especially those living on rock surfaces, to have higher incidences of broken tails than ground-dwelling species, perhaps because the tail is usually less important in locomotion in the first group. Many lizards possess conspicuously coloured tails and tail movements that seem likely to help distract attention from the head and body. Conspicuous tail colouring is more frequent and often better developed in young animals, which tend to be more vulnerable than adults, and in active species from open habitats where crypsis may not always be very effective. Conspicuous tails usually have contrasting light and dark areas in nocturnal forms but are often a single bright colour in diurnal ones, probably reflecting the visual capacities of their respective predators. The predominance of blue tails in day-active species may be because this colour is striking close to but not very arresting at a distance, so it may not attract predators from far away while still drawing their attention at close quarters.

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The structure of copulatory organs is used very widely in systematics, both for differentiating species and for working out relationships. Differences between taxa may arise from a variety of sources, including non-homology, differences in other parts of the animal, direct selection on copulatory organs, development of physical isolating mechanisms and pleiotropic events. Physical isolating mechanisms seem likely to account for the abrupt differences, involving size, asymmetry and simplifications, that are useful in distinguishing very similar lacertid species. Although these differences usually seem to arise at the end of a speciation event they can simultaneously be the initiating mechanism in a second one. Copulatory organs appear to have high inherent stability, probably resulting from frequent location in strongly homoeostatic environments, single function, insensitivity to niche shift and inertia due to the need to conform to the genitalia of the opposite sex. This stability may be overridden at times by direct selection on the organs themselves or pleiotropic events. Such changes tend to be retained because efficiency in copulation depends not on any absolute genital architecture but on close conformity of the organs. It is the combination of relative stability and tangible input of varied change, which tends to be retained, that so often makes these structures good indicators of relationship.

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Twenty-four species of lacertid lizards were examined at 31 sites in western Yogoslavia, Greece and Iberia. Comparative observations were made on over 4500 individual lizards, noting such features as times of activitiy, hunting methods, diet, micro- and macrohabitat, refuges used and body temperature. These data are used as a basis for assessing resource partition in related sympatric species, for find out whether different systematic groups have characteristic types of niche, and for comparing cumminity structures in the peninsulas of southern Europa. Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Algyroides marchi, Algyroides moreoticus, Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta graeca, Lacerta horvathi, Lacerta lepida, Lacerta monticola, Lacerta oxycephala, Lacerta mosorensis, Lacerta schreiberi, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta vivipara, Podarcis bocagei, Podarcis erhardii, Podarcis hispanica, Podarcis melisellensis, Podarcis milensis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, Podarcis sicula, Podarcis taurica, Psammodromus algirus, Psammodromus hispanicus.

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DNA sequence indicates the Lacertidae contain two subfamilies, Gallotiinae and Lacertinae, the latter comprising two monophyletic tribes, the Eremiadini of Africa and arid southwest and central Asia, and the Lacertini of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest and east Asia. Relationships within the 108 species of Lacertini are explored using mtDNA (291 bp cytochrome b; 329 bp 12S rRNA for 59 nominal species, and reanalysis of the data of Harris et al. 1998, and Fu 2000). The morphology of the tribe is reviewed and 64 of its characters (equivalent to 83 binary ones) also used to assess relationships. The Lacertini are assigned to 19 monophyletic units of 1 to 27 species, recognised here as the following genera (contents are indicated in brackets): Algyroides, Anatololacerta gen. nov. (L. danfordi group), Apathya (L. cappadocica group), Archaeolacerta (L. bedriagae), Dalmatolacerta gen. nov. (L. oxycephala), Darevskia (L. saxicola group), Dinarolacerta gen. nov. (L. mosorensis), Hellenolacerta gen. nov. (L. graeca), Iberolacerta (L. monticola group), Iranolacerta gen. nov. (L. brandtii and L. zagrosica), Lacerta s. str. (sand and green lizards, L. agilis group), Parvilacerta gen. nov. (L. parva and L. fraasii), Phoenicolacerta gen. nov. (L. laevis group), Podarcis (wall lizards), Scelarcis (L. perspicillata), Takydromus (Asian grass lizards), Teira (L. dugesii), Timon (ocellated lizards, L. lepida group) and Zootoca (L. vivipara). Both mtDNA and morphology indicate that Lacerta and Timon are sister taxa, and DNA suggests further possible relationships among genera (Fig. 1, p. 6). Neither DNA nor morphology indicates that the archaeolacertas (sometimes formalised as Archaeolacerta sens. lat.) form a clade. Instead, they are representatives of an ecomorph associated with living on rock exposures and using the narrow crevices that these contain. The Lacertidae probably arose in the European area, with the Gallotiinae later reaching Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, and the ancestor of the Eremiadini invading Africa in the mid-Miocene. The Lacertini spread through much of their present European range and diversified, perhaps largely by repeated vicariance, around 12–16 My ago, producing the ancestors of the present mainly small-bodied genera, which then underwent often modest speciation. Three units spread more widely: the Lacerta-Timon clade of large-bodied lizards probably dispersed earliest, followed by Algyroides and then Podarcis. Overall, European Lacertidae show a pattern of repeated spread, often accompanied by restriction of previous groups. Expansion of Lacertini may have displaced earlier lacertid lineages from all or much of Europe; while spread of Podarcis may have restricted many other genera of Lacertini. The earlier expansion of the Lacerta-Timon clade probably did not have this effect, as difference in adult body size restricted competitive interaction with other forms. Several invasions of more distant areas also occurred: of East Asia by Takydromus over 10 My ago, and more recently of northwest Africa by Podarcis, Scelarcis and Timon, and Madeira by Teira. Relationships within the Eremiadini estimated from both mtDNA, and nDNA differ considerably from those based on morphology. They indicate relatively mesic forms may have diversified widely across Africa and given rise to at least three independent invasions of arid habitats. MtDNA also indicates that Lacerta andreanskyi belongs in the Eremiadini and may occupy a basal position there. It is assigned to a further new genus, Atlantolacerta gen. nov.

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Im bayerischen Donauengtal zwischen Pssau und der Landesgrenze Österreich existiert ein seit langem bekannter Bestand der Smaragdeidechse (Lacerta viridis). Insbesondere für Smaragdeidechse und Äskulapnatter wurde 1986 ein Naturschutzgebiet ausgewiesen. Der Schwerpunkt der Smaragdeidechsenvorkommen des insgesamt bandartigen Areals liegt in einem Abschnitt, bei dem am Hangfuß ein Bahndamm verläuft. Auf der Basis einer Zustandserfassung und eines Pflege- und Entwicklungsplanes werden verschiedene Artenhilfsmaßnahmen im Projekt: „Organisation und Umsetzung von Pflege- und Entwicklungsmaßnahmen im ´Naturschutzgebiet Donauleiten von Passau bis Jochenstein´“ seit 1993 umgesetzt. Gleichzeitig gab es wesentliche Vermeidungs- und Ausgleichsmaßnahmen bei Eingriffen. Existenziell wichtig sind die Unterhaltungsmaßnahmen in den Optimalhabitaten entlang einer Bahnstrecke, von Straßenrändern und vom Donauufer. Die Beratung und Zusammenarbeit mit den zuständigen Stellen im Rahmen des Projektes und die ökologische Baubegleitung bei Maßnahmen haben daher derzeit höchste Priorität. Daneben wurden auch aktive Pflegemaßnahmen in Form von Mahd und Entbuschung durchgeführt. Die erfolgreiche Neuschaffung von Habitaten gelang auf einer Ausgeleichsfläche. Flächenankäufe umfassten zumindest teilweise auch Habitate der Smaragdeidechse und ermöglichen künftige Pflegemaßnahmen. Die Entstehung neuer Habitate durch natürliche Dynamik der Donau ist derzeit nicht möglich. Im Bereich zufließender Bäche bestehen hier durchaus Chancen in den Zukunft. Ein gezielter Ankauf geeigneter Flächen soll erfolgen. Es wird empfohlen, das NSG auch weiterhin kontinuierlich zu „betreuen“. Zusätzlich sollte jedoch ein Monitoringprogramm für die Smaragdeidechse und andere hochgradig gefährdete Arten des NSG erfolgen.

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The propability that lizards would capture crickets declined with distance from the snout, at rates which were significantly more rapid in all directions in Lacerta vivipara than in Podarcis muralis or L. viridis, i.e. the former species responded to potential prey over a smaller area. Capture probabilities at any distance in front of or behind the snout were lower in P. muralis or L. viridis which were pausing during locomotion than in basking lizards, confirming previous results with L. vivipara. Using capture probabilities for pausing lizards to calculate the average time it would take to find a single item of prey (tf) in relation to the mean length of locomotor bursts, on the assumption that prey could only be detected while a lizard was pausing, showed that actual mean burst distance corresponded exactly with the burst distance which gave rise to minimum tf in L. vivipara. Mean locomotor burst distances in P. muralis and L. viridis were lower than the distances which gave minimum tf values. It is suggested that, in these species, the mean burst length has evolved as a compromise between minimising tf and avoiding the high overall energy expenditures which would result from long burst lengths.

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In 2011, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Group (ARCG) of BirdLife Hungary launched a conservation programme to survey the North Hungarian populations of Dolichophis caspius and its habitats in the vicinity of Budapest, and to build up a habitat management plan for the species. From March through the end of September we made a total of ten visits on four habitats. On two fragments of one habitat (Farkas-hegy), with an extension of 1–1.5 ha, we observed eleven (7 ad., 2 subad., 2 juv.) D. caspius. We captured and, after recording a few data, released five of them. Six specimens were positively identified as different. On both habitat fragments a large number of lizards (Lacerta viridis and Podarcis muralis) were observed, constituting a good supply of prey for the snakes. The habitats are burdened with an increasing number of shrubs and trees, invasive plant species and recreational activity. With help of volunteers we removed the black pines from one of the habitat fragments of Farkas-hegy. We intend to survey additional habitats and if necessary to build up management plants to improve them. Our Dolicophis programme together with other programmes of ARCG triggered an increased citizen involvement.

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Kroatien ist eines der herpetologisch artenreichsten Länder Europas und daher ein beliebtes Reiseziel mitteleuropäischer Herpetologen. Aufgrund des in den letzten Jahrzehnten stetig weiter ausgebauten Autobahnnetzes ist das Land gut und schnell zu bereisen, lediglich die Grenzwartezeiten an den Urlaubswochenenden sind noch einigermaßen mühsam, da Kroatien noch nicht im Schengen-Raum aufgenommen wurde. Viele im Rahmen der ÖGH oder Herpetofauna.at durchgeführten Exkursionen führten uns in den letzten Jahren nach Kroatien.

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1. Discharges from mechanoreceptors in lizard skin cover the complete range between brief, high frequency bursts and slowly adapting, low frequency discharges. 2. Unimodal “cold units” and bimodal units (responding also to pressure) are both present and respond to rapid cooling of more than 3–5°C. 3. Discharges occur only on warming above 72°C, except on the upper jaw where the threshold is lower. 4. Larger mechanical stimuli and greater cooling both increase initial frequency and slow down adaptation, but initial frequency and adaptation are faster at higher temperatures. 5. Responses to mechanical stimuli applied immediately after cooling do not show the lowered initial frequency shown by later responses but the adaptation slows at once to the rate characteristics of the new temperature. Conversely, responses after warming are inhibited.

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Consistent individual differences within (animal personality) and across (behavioural syndrome) behaviours became well recognized during the past decade. Nevertheless, our knowledge about the evolutionary and developmental mechanisms behind the phenomena is still incomplete. Here, we explored if risk-taking and exploration were consistent and linked to different ecologically relevant traits in wild-caught adult male European green lizards (Lacerta viridis) and in their 2–3 weeks old laboratory-reared offspring. Both adults and juveniles displayed animal personality, consistency being higher in juveniles. We found correlation between risk-taking and exploration (suggestive of a behavioural syndrome) only in adults. Juveniles were more explorative than adults. Large or ectoparasite-free adult males were more explorative than small or parasitized males. Juvenile females tended to be more risk-taking than males. Behaviour of fathers and their offspring did not correlate. We conclude that European green lizards show high behavioural consistency and age is an important determinant of its strength and links to traits likely affecting fitness.

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Morphological traits and elaborate colouration may play important roles in inter- and intrasexual communication, but sexual signalling has been little studied in reptiles. We conducted experiments of female choice and male competition in green lizards (Lacerta viridis), a species from which no information on sexual selection is available. We performed 24 mate choice trials using a total of 57 males, and allowed 12 males to compete in all potential pairwise combinations. Correlated aspects of morphology and colour were condensed into principal components. Only the body shape of males predicted the outcome of female choice trials. Females preferred males with longer body and narrower head. However, both morphology and colour seemed important in male competition. Our study species was the green lizard (Lacerta viridis), which has not been studied in this aspect. Our aim was to examine the associations between t.hese traits, the female mating preference, and the outcome of male-male contest. We captured 57 males in 2005, and we measured their morphological and spectral properties. The females chose between the possible mating partners exclusively by visual cues. In the contest trial, 12 males fought with each other in all potential combinations . However, the results revealed that the colouration did not associate with the female mate choice, but there was a strong association between the choice and some morphological characters of males: females preferred males with larger body length and smaller head width. According to thee analyses the height, width and length of the head, UV and blue chroma of the throat, and UV chroma of the abdomen were associated positively with the fighting ability; if the two rival males were more similarly for each other in the case of the above mentioned traits, they were much more aggressive during contest. Our results suggest that the expression of multiple ornamental colouration and morphological traits of green lizard males may serve as inter- and intrasexual signals advertising individual quality honestly.

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The role of ultraviolet (UV) signals in intraspecific communication has been identified in a number of vertebrate taxa. In lizards, the signalling role of UV has only been shown in male–male competition and male mate choice. Here, we investigated whether male UV colour can be a basis of female association preference in European green lizards (Lacerta viridis), a species where males develop blue nuptial throat colouration with high UV reflectance. We experimentally manipulated the UV colour of male pairs, where the members of the pair did not differ significantly in body length, body weight, head size, throat UV chroma and brightness or throat blue chroma and brightness measured prior to colour manipulation. By providing these pairs of males to females (only visual stimuli could be perceived by the females), we assessed the role of UV in female association preference irrespective of other potentially important visual traits. We found that unmated but receptive females preferred males of higher UV reflectance. Our results show for the first time that UV colour can be an important male signal in female preference in reptiles.

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Animal communication through colour signals is a central themein sexual selection. Structural colours can be just as costly and honest signals as pigmentbased colours. Ultraviolet (UV) is a structural colour that can be important both in intrasexual competition and mate choice. However, it is still unknownif aUVsignal alone can determine the outcome of male–male fights. European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) males develop a nuptial throat coloration with a strong UV component. Among males differing only in their manipulated UV colour, females prefer males with higher UV. Here, we experimentally decreased the UV coloration of randomly chosen males from otherwise similar male pairs to test the hypothesis that a difference in UV colour alone can affect fight success during male–male competition. Our results fully supported the hypotheses: in almost 90 per cent of the contests the male with reduced UV lost the fight. Our results show that UV can be an important signal, affecting both female mate choice and determining male fight success.

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Background Colour signals are widely used in intraspecific communication and often linked to individual fitness. The development of some pigment-based (e.g. carotenoids) colours is often environment-dependent and costly for the signaller, however, for structural colours (e.g. ultraviolet [UV]) this topic is poorly understood, especially in terrestrial ectothermic vertebrates. Methodology/Principal Findings In a factorial experiment, we studied how available energy and time at elevated body temperature affects the annual expression of the nuptial throat colour patch in male European green lizards (Lacerta viridis) after hibernation and before mating season. In this species, there is a female preference for males with high throat UV reflectance, and males with high UV reflectance are more likely to win fights. We found that (i) while food shortage decreased lizards` body condition, it did not affect colour development, and (ii) the available time for maintaining high body temperature affected the development of UV colour without affecting body condition or other colour traits. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate that the expression of a sexually selected structural colour signal depends on the time at elevated body temperature affecting physiological performance but not on available energy gained from food per se in an ectothermic vertebrate. We suggest that the effect of high ambient temperature on UV colour in male L. viridis makes it an honest signal, because success in acquiring thermally favourable territories and/or effective behavioural thermoregulation can both be linked to individual quality.

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In June and July 1986 observations were made on the reptiles and amphibians in the surroundings of a camping in the Perigord (France). Eight species were observed: Rana dalmatina, Alytes obstetricans, Bufo bufo, Podarcis muralis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix maura, Elaphe longissima and Coluber viridiflavus.

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The authors give a description of the herpetofauna of some area´s in Yougoslavia they visited in june 1979. Some attention is given to the habitat of several species. The differences between certain island and mainland populations of some Lacerta- and Podarcis-species are discussed to some extend.

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Es gibt sicherlich verschiedene Möglichkeiten, im Terrarium gehaltene Eidechsen zu überwintern. Der eine schwört auf seinen Keller, der andere auf eine laubgefüllte Grube in seinem Garten. Nun, wem beides nicht zur Verfügung steht, dem kann auch ein Kühlschrank ganz ausgezeichnete Dienste leisten. Freilich ist nicht gemeint, die Eidechsen frei zwischen Wurst und Käse zu betten, vielmehr bedarf es einiger Vorbereitungen. Im wesentlichen stellen sich zur Überwinterung von Eidechsen 4 Fragen: 1. wen? 2. wann? 3. wie? Und 4. wie lange? Auf diese 4 Fragen soll im in diesem Bericht eine Antwort gegeben werden.

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Es gibt sicherlich verschiedene Möglichkeiten, im Terrarium gehaltene Eidechsen zu überwintern. Der eine schwört auf seinen Keller, der andere auf eine laubgefüllte Grube in seinem Garten. Nun, wem beides nicht zur Verfügung steht, dem kann auch ein Kühlschrank ganz ausgezeichnete Dienste leisten. Freilich ist nicht gemeint, die Eidechsen frei zwischen Wurst und Käse zu betten, vielmehr bedarf es einiger Vorbereitungen. Im wesentlichen stellen sich zur Überwinterung von Eidechsen 4 Fragen: 1. wen? 2. wann? 3. wie? Und 4. wie lange? Auf diese 4 Fragen soll im in diesem Bericht eine Antwort gegeben werden.

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An osteometric analysis of sacral and presacral regions in three species of iberian lizards (Lacerta lepida, L. schreiberi and L. viridis) has been carried out. For this purpose, 11 osteometric vertebral parameters were proposed, and some of the parameters used by other authors were revised. The topographical variation of the most significant parameters were described and several indices based on them were elaborated. Lacerta viridis differs considerably from L. schreiberi and L. lepida, both qualitatively and quantitatively, especially in the positions of the maximum and minimum for each parameter, and in the percentage of general elongation of the presacral vertebrae, more marked in L. viridis than in the other two species. The sexual and ontogenetic variations include qualitative and quantitative differences as well. A greater percentage of elongation of presacral vertebrae exists in the females. There is some sexual correlation of the existence oscillations in certain parameters (for example pre-postzygapophysis distance) along the vertebral axis (L. lepida and L. schreiberi). The relative height of the neurapophysis shows the most important ontogenetic variation. It is progressively enhanced with size. The vertebral widening that occurs in the last presacral zone is more marked in immature individuals. An interspecific vertebral diagnosis (of particular importance in the axis and sacrum) is proposed.

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Research of fauna and biology of particular species of reptiles in the area of Nature park Papuk were done in the period from February 2009 to September 2009, in 15 locations. The transect method was used in data gathering on reptiles. The sampled units were measured for length or photographed, and during sampling the environmental parametres were measured. The collected data were entered in the database and with the help of GIS technology distribution maps of particular species on the examined area were made. The species Natrix natrix and Lacerta viridis had the largest quantitative structure. The eudominant species were established to be Natrix natrix, Lacerta viridis, Natrix tessellata and Lacerta vivipara, while the recent species are Vipera berus and Ablepharus kitaibelii. The numerousness of species in the researched area as well as their distribution are the result of various conditions in microhabitats, where species find the optimal conditions for survival. Furthermore, seasonal and daily dynamics were analysed. Daily activities, of species and of individuals, show a decrease of value from morning to afternoon, and as far as seasonal dynamics is concerned, the most intensive period of appearance of reptile is in the period from July to September.

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In connectivity conservation and ecological network planning, the selection of focal fragmentationsensitive species represents a priority step. Nevertheless, despite their strategic role, selection of focal species has traditionally been carried out using charismatic and/or non objective approaches. In this way, actions of planning and conservation could be ineffective. Using as a case study Italian reptiles, we apply an expert-based approach for the selection of focal species on the basis of sensitivity to components of habitat fragmentation (habitat area reduction, increase of habitat isolation, increase of edge effect and landscape matrix disturbance) and of intrinsic ecological traits of the species (trophic level, dispersal ability, body size, niche breadth, rarity). The threshold values for each component of fragmentation defined a set of 21 focal species that can be divided into the three macro-components of human-induced habitat fragmentation (HIHF) towards which they show a sensitivity, the suitable spatial scale of populations and relative suitable habitat categories. Among these species, seven can be sampled easily with standard, low-cost field protocols. The selected species largely coincide with the species known in literature as fragmentation-sensitive.

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A complete catalogue is provided for the type specimens of lacertid lizards in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Museum, Berlin, as of December, 1993. The collection contains a total of 514 type specimens, representing 63 taxa, of which 42 are currently regarded as valid at the specific or subspecific level. Types representing an additional four taxa appear to have been lost from the collection. The collections are especially rich in African lacertid types and in historically significant specimens collected early in the Nineteenth Century by Pallas, Eversmann, and Hemprich & Ehrenberg. Also present are the type series of many subspecies of Podarcis lilfordi and P. pityusensis described by Eisentraut.

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The distribution of catecholamines in the central nervous system of Lacerta viridis and muralis was investigated by means of the method for fluorescence-microscopical detection of catechol- and tryptamines. Most nuclear areas of the mes-, di- and telencephalon receive terminal ramifications of catecholamine-containing neurones, the distribution pattern of which is typical for each nucleus; these neurones originate in the tegmentum (nucleus reticularis mesencephali) and in the hypothalamus (nucleus diffusus tuberis). Apart from these nuclei another paraventricular nucleus (nucleus ependymalis hypothalami) was found to contain catecholamines. The short neurones of this nucleus mainly innervate the nucleus ventromedialis tuberis and the area praeoptica. It is assumed that these neurones also supply the nuclei commissurales of the telencephalon. According to the results of spectrographical and histochemical tests it is assumed that the fluorescent substance in the palaeostriatum of Lacerta is mainly noradrenaline and that the neurones of the nucleus ependymalis hypothalami besides little adrenaline contain huge amounts of primary catecholamines. The possibility of the fluorescent substances acting as transmitters is discussed.

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Difficulties to demonstrate the storage sites of noradrenaline by means of electronmicroscopy in neurones from the nucleus ependymalis hypothalami of Lacerta have been overcome by pretreatment of animals with 5-hydroxydopamine and 5-hydroxydopa. 5-hydroxydopamine which has been shown to act as a false sympathetic transmitter in the peripheral nervous system is specifically taken up and stored by dense core vesicles from the noradrenaline neurones while the storage sites of serotonin containing neurones do not concentrate this pyrogallol analogue. A reduction in the number of dense core vesicles from the serotonin storing neurones might indicate that both substances are capable of releasing tryptamine-like substances besides replacing catecholamines. This observation was confirmed by measurements of the noradrenaline- and serotonin-depletion from the brain following pretreatment of animals with both pyrogallol analogues. Moderate doses of 5-hydroxydopamine and 5-hydroxydopa (100 mg/kg) caused a considerable decrease in the concentration of serotonin whereas the loss of noradrenaline was lower. The effect of the amino acid on the content of brain-monoamines was more pronounced than the effect of the amine itself. It is suggested that a pretreatment of animals with 5-hydroxydopa and/or 5-hydroxydopamine will provide a safe identification of catecholamine storing neurones in the central nervous system — a prerequisite for studies of the organization of synaptic connections from noradernergic and dopaminergic neurones to their effectors.

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Cryosurgery has been used for the treatment of skin disorders in two lizards and a chelonian. The results of this and a previous application (Green et al., 1977) indicate that cryotherapy may be a valuable surgical tool for use in reptilian veterinary science.

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A description of the geographical area, soil. vegetation, clima and herpetofauna from the province of Guipuzcoa (Spain) has been made. From a climatical point of view, it has been set that average rain-full was 1727.9 l/year, with 170.5 rain days. Temperatures are mild. During the year the average temperature is 12.6ºC. Along 1978-1979, 796 observations of amphibians and reptiles species have been made. Quotations are distributed by months and by species. For taxonomicals groups correlations have been calculated in order to see the relationship with climatology. At the same time multiple regresion methods have been also used in both the cases results have been positive. Reptiles and lizards species presents a negative correlation with precipitation. Lizards species also with the days of rain-full. All the species, reptiles, lizards and snakes presents a positive correlation with the maximum, mean and minimum temperatures. Reptiles, lizards and snakes presents a positive correlation with the maximum-minimum difference temperature. By the other hand, we comment the relationship between environmental factors and the sun`s time, and the catchings of amphibians and reptiles. Among considered environmental variables, the slope orientation, insolation, cloudness and wind have been choosen. Lastly, spatial distribution of every species has been presented. The 89.6% of the grid squares presents at least one observation. So, for each species found in Guipuzcoa, temporal and spatial distribution and habitat are comented. Up to present, in Guipuzcoa the following species of amphibians and reptiles have been found: Salamandra salamandra, Triturus helveticus, T. marmoratus, Bufo bufo, Alytes obstetricans, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana temporaria, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta schreiberi, L. viridis. L. vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Coronella austriaca, C. girondica, Elaphe longissima, Natrix maura, N. natrix y Vipera seoanei.

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The author describes the variety of social behavioural patterns between both sexes of the Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis) in captivity, observed during a complete mating season. The single elements of these behavioural sequences - often developed from ritualization - `display`, `running on the spot`, `turning round and handling of the female` and `tail-biting and march of mating` are discussed. In addition an account of behavioural patterns which prevent or terminate a copulation are provided as well as those of the actual copulation. In this connection it is shown how each partner comprehends a variety of different behaviour patterns and responds to them specifically (= intraspecific communicative elements). The daily development of the mating biology of the Green Lizard is depicted by some extracts of protocol, the seasonal development by a chronological table.

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The kinematic profiles of jaw movements are described for Anolis carolinensis and Lacerta viridis feeding on the same prey item (maggot). A. carolinensis is an iguanian (typified by lingual prey capture) and L. viridis is a scleroglossan (typified by prey capture using jaws alone). A. carolinensis, however, catches maggots by using only the jaws. In so doing, it exhibits the four stages of gape profile considered typical for lizards (slow open, fast open, fast close, slow close). Gape cycle in L. viridis shows a hyperbolic curve (no slow open). Two hypotheses concerning the relationship between the two gape cycles are discussed.

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The kinematics of drinking of Lacerta viridis were analysed. A drinking bout is composed of four phases: approach, immersion, emersion and withdrawal. The tongue and gravity are central to moving water through successive compartments of the buccal cavity and into the oesophagus. Upon the basis of formifunction analysis of water intake and transport, a kinematic modcl of drinking in lizards is proposed.

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The author describes the results of many years of research on the erpetological fauna of Mount Adamello.

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Während eines dreitägigen Aufenthaltes wurde die Herpetofauna von Skiathos (Nördliche Sporaden, Griechenland) untersucht. Insgesamt konnten drei Schlangen- und drei bzw. vier Echsenarten (Coluber najadum, Elaphe situla, Malpolon monspessulanus, Ophisaurus apodus, Podarcis erhardii, Lacerta triliniata und vermutlich Lacerta viridis) beobachtet werden. Eine Schlangenart (Elaphe situla) und zwei Echsenarten (Ophisaurus apodus und Podaras erhardii) sind Erstnachweise für Skiathos.

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Das Vermögen, sich kompaBgerecht nach dem Stand der Sonne zu orientieren und ihre tageszeitliche Wanderung einzurechnen, ist seit den grundlegenden Entdeckungen von K. v. Frisch (1950, 1951) an der Biene auch bei zahlreichen anderen Vertretern der Arthropoden und Wirbeltiere nachgewiesen worden. Soweit wir heute wissen, setzt das Richtungsfinden mittels eines Himmelsgestirnes mindestens zwei Grundleistungen des tierischen Organismus voraus: erstens die Fähigkeit, „Zeit zu messen“ (physiologische oder innere Uhr; vgl. Bünning, 1958; Aschoff, 1960); zweitens den zeitgerechten Gebrauch eines Orientierungsmechanismus, der die tageszeitlichen Azimutänderungen des Gestirnes „rechnerisch“ mit Hilfe der inneren Uhr kompensiert. Während das erste Grundvermögen wohl eine sehr allgemeine Eigenschaft von Lebewesen ist, wie es der tagesrhythmische, annähernd mit der Erdumdrehung synchronisierte Ablauf zahlreicher Lebensprozesse bei Tieren und Pflanzen zeigt, sichert das zweite Vermögen speziellere Lebensbedürfnisse des tierischen Organismus; die Fähigkeit, Zeit zu messen, wird dabei in den Dienst der Orientierungsfunktion gestellt.

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A data set comprising individual host/parasite lists from 100 Lacerta viridis (Reptilia: Lacertidae) belonging to four isolated populations in Bulgaria was studied. A total of seven helminth species was recovered (Leptophallus nigrooenosus, Plagiorchis molini, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Spauligodon extenuatus, Skrjabinelaziahoffmanni, Physaloptera clausa and Mesocestoides sp.). Lacerta viridis is a new host record for the first five of these species. Communities of intestinal helminths of L. viridis consist of a few species which resulted in a low species richness, abundance and diversity of infracommunities, which exhibit substantial homogeneity among the four samples. A similar pattern of dominance of two nematode species leading to a relatively high community similarity at both infra- and component community levels was observed. While intestinal helminth communities in lizards from`marginal`habitats were dominated by the host generalist, O. filiformis, those in hosts from `typical` habitats were dominated by the lizard specialist S. extenuatus. The results indicate that the characteristics of the host`s habitat are important in determining the composition rather than structure of intestinal helminth communities in L. viridis.

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The current book provides a synthesis of the information concern- ing field identification of all the species and subspecies of Amphibia and Reptilia hitherto registered in Bulgaria. It comprises 61 species and 23 subspecies, among which 5 species (Pelophylax lessonae, P. kurtmuelleri, Hemidactylus turcicus, Eremias arguta, Montivipera xanthina) that have not been found yet on the territory of the country, but which are known from sites in proximity to Bulgar- ian frontiers. The frogs and toads are represented with 14 spe- cies, newts and salamanders with 6 species, turtles and tortoises with 7 species (Trachemys scripta introduced; Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas considered extinct), and snakes with 19 species (Vipera aspis and V. ursinii considered extinct). The structure of each species’ description includes the following headings: Name, Diagnosis, General Distribution, Distribution in Bulgaria, Habitats, and Biology. Besides in Bulgarian and Latin, all species are sup- plemented with their English, French, German and Russian names. All synonyms in the main herpetological literature are listed after the currently accepted Latin name. Original keys for identification of the families, genera and species, based entirely on morphologi- cal characters of adult specimens, as well as on the structure of amphibians’ eggs and larvae, are elaborated to facilitate the users. A photo gallery, comprising original colour photos shot in nature, and numerous line drawings of different key characters are made for better distinction between the species. For purely conservation- al reasons, the distribution maps not only indicate the scientifically confirmed species distribution in the country, but also show the areas with suitable habitats where a given species is likely to oc- cur. The degree of suitability is indicated with a different degree of shading: optimal (black); suboptimal (80% gray); suitable (60% gray); less suitable (20% gray); white means unsuitable. The guide is also introducing the readers to some general aspects of the tax- onomy, systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of herpeto- fauna. Special chapters are devoted to the methods of observation and capture of amphibians and reptiles, first aid after a snake’s bite, and the relationship between herpetofauna – humans. The status of each species according to main biodiversity conservation acts and conventions is given in Table 1. Being the first publication of its kind, the book is intended for professional herpetologists, students or nature lovers.

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In the southern side of the Lipova Hills we found 11 amphibian species, 9 reptile species and 2 types of hybrid between amphibian species. The herpetofauna of the region contains lowland, hill and mountain related species. Also, in the area are present southern species in the vicinity of the northern limit of their distribution range, and related species in the mountainous areas, found at lower altitudes than usually. The mixture of mountain and lowland species is a consequence of the current aspect of the region, with wide valleys located between hill ridges, valleys that allow the advancement of these lowland species in the hill areas. The second aspect is a consequence of the history of the region. Currently the herpetofauna of the Lipova Hills is greatly advantaged by the relatively large forest covered areas.

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Twelve new microsatellite loci were isolated from the Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis). Primers for 28 loci were designed and 18 of these loci amplified well for 10 individuals of four populations. Twelve of these loci were further characterized for a population in Hungary. The results document the suitability of these identified loci for the characterization of the genetic diversity of the endangered species L. viridis viridis.

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It is well known that the current genetic pattern of many European species has been highly influenced by climatic changes during the Pleistocene. While there are many well known vertebrate examples, knowledge about squamate reptiles is sparse. To obtain more data, a range-wide sampling of Lacerta viridis was conducted and phylogenetic relations within the L. viridis complex were analysed using an mtDNA fragment encompassing part of cytochrome b, the adjacent tRNA genes and the noncoding control region. Most genetic divergence was found in the south of the distribution range. The Carpathian Basin and the regions north of the Carpathians and Alps are inhabited by the same mitochondrial lineage, corresponding to Lacerta viridis viridis. Three distinct lineages occurred in the south-eastern Balkans — corresponding to L. v. viridis, L. v. meridionalis, L. v. guentherpetersi— as well as a fourth lineage for which no subspecies name is available. This distribution pattern suggests a rapid range expansion of L. v. viridis after the Holocene warming, leading to a colonization of the northern part of the species range. An unexpected finding was that a highly distinct genetic lineage occurs along the western Balkan coast. Phylogenetic analyses (Bayesian, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony) suggested that this west Balkan lineage could represent the sister taxon of Lacerta bilineata. Due to the morphological similarity of taxa within the L. viridis complex this cryptic taxon was previously assigned to L. v. viridis. The distribution pattern of several parapatric, in part highly, distinct genetic lineages suggested the existence of several refuges in close proximity on the southern Balkans. Within L. bilineata sensu stricto a generally similar pattern emerged, with a high genetic diversity on the Apennine peninsula, arguing for two distinct refuges there, and a low genetic diversity in the northern part of the range. Close to the south-eastern Alps, three distinct lineages (L. b. bilineata, L. v. viridis, west Balkan taxon) occurred within close proximity. We suggest that the west Balkan lineage represents an early offshoot of L. bilineata that was isolated during a previous Pleistocene glacial from the more western L. bilineata populations, which survived in refuges on the Apennine peninsula.

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For the first time the complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced for a member of Lacertidae. Lacerta viridis viridis was sequenced in order to compare the phylogenetic relationships of this family to other reptilian lineages. Using the long-polymerase chain reaction (long PCR) we characterized a mitochondrial genome, 17,156 bp long showing a typical vertebrate pattern with 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs (tRNA), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) and one major noncoding region. The noncoding region of L. v. viridis was characterized by a conspicuous 35 bp tandem repeat at its 5′ terminus. A phylogenetic study including all currently available squamate mitochondrial sequences demonstrates the position of Lacertidae within a monophyletic squamate group. We obtained a narrow relationship of Lacertidae to Scincidae, Iguanidae, Varanidae, Anguidae, and Cordylidae. Although, the internal relationships within this group yielded only a weak resolution and low bootstrap support, the revealed relationships were more congruent with morphological studies than with recent molecular analyses.

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In order to obtain genetic data for the conservation of populations of Czech Lacerta viridis (Laurenti, 1768) the genetic diversity of 12 microsatellite markers was assessed for five Bohemian and three Moravian populations. Comparison of the genetic variation and differentiation between the highly fragmented and isolated Bohemian populations and the Moravian populations connected to the continuous species range revealed a lower level of genetic variation in Bohemian populations. Presence of a genetic split between the Bohemian and Moravian populations indicates that these populations have been isloted from one another for long time and currently there is no gene flow between them. The genetic structures of the populations in both regions are significantly correlated with respective geographic distances and influenced by the low level of habitat connectivity between the populations. Basic implications for the conservation of L. viridis in the Czech Republic are suggested.

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The range of Lacerta viridis viridis is the result of a rapid postglacial dispersal, followed by range-restriction events leading to the isolation of the present northern relict populations. Current conservation efforts focus on these endangered, northern isolates. An understanding of the genetic diversity of these populations is a prerequisite for any conservation measures. In order to provide such data we analysed mtDNA sequence variation in 57 L. v. viridis from the northernmost part of the subspecies range, including representatives of isolated relict populations in Brandenburg (Germany) and northern Bohemia (Czech Republic). We detected a positive correlation between genetic distances of mtDNA sequences and geographic distances, which corresponds well with the migration behaviour of L. v. viridis. Furthermore, our data reveal the importance of a comparative analysis for estimating the genetic diversity of an endangered taxon like Lacerta v. viridis.

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Die Verbreitung von Lacerta viridis viridis ist das Ergebnis einer schnellen nacheiszeitlichen Ausbreitung mit nachfolgenden, die Verbreitung einschränkenden Geschehnissen, die zur Isolation der heutigen nördlichen Reliktpopulationen geführt haben. Die gegenwärtigen Schutzbestrebungen konzentrieren sich auf diese gefährdeten nördlichen isolierten Populationen. Das Verständnis der genetischen Diversität dieser Populationen ist eine Voraussetzung für Schutzmaßnahmen in jeder Form. Um derartige Daten zur Verfügung zu stellen, analysierten wir die mtDNS-Sequenzvariation von 57 L. v. viridis aus dem nördlichsten Bereich der Verbreitung dieser Unterart, einschließlich Vertretern von isolierten Reliktpopulationen in Brandenburg und Nord-Böhmen (Tschechische Republik). Wir stießen dabei auf eine positive Relation zwischen den genetischen Distanzen der mtDNS-Sequenzen und den geographischen Entfernungen, die gut mit dem Migrationsverhalten von L. v. viridis übereinstimmt. Weiterhin zeigen unsere Daten die große Bedeutung einer vergleichenden Analyse für das Abschätzen der genetischen Diversität von gefährdeten Taxa wie L. v. viridis auf.

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Edge and central populations can show great differences regarding their genetic variation and thereby also in their probability of extinction. This fact might be of great importance for the conservation strategies of endangered species. In this study we examine the level of microsatellite variability within three threatened edge populations of the green lizard subspecies Lacerta viridis viridis (Laur.) in Brandenburg (Germany) and compare the observed variation to other edge and central populations within the northern species range. We demonstrate that the northernmost edge populations contain less genetic variation in comparison to the central population. However, there were no observable significant differences to the other edge population included in this study. Surprisingly, we observed a high genetic differentiation in a small geographical range between the three endangered populations in Brandenburg, which can be explained by processes like fragmentation, isolation, genetic drift and small individual numbers within these populations. We also detected unique genetic variants (alleles), which only occurred in these populations, despite a low overall genetic variation. This study demonstrates the potential of fast evolving markers assessing the genetic status of endangered populations with a high resolution. It also illustrates the need for a comparative analysis of different regions within the species range, achieving a more exact interpretation of the genetic variation in endangered populations. This will aid future management decisions in the conservation of genetic diversity in threatened species.

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In the herpetological collection of ZFMK 528 scientific species group names are represented by type materi- al. Of these, 304 names are documented by primary type specimens (onomatophores) while for 224 further names sec- ondary type specimens (typoids) are available, ranging chronologically from 1801 to 2010. The list is a shortened pred- ecessor of a comprehensive type catalogue in progress. It lists name bearing types with their catalogue numbers includ- ing information on further type series members also in other institutions, while secondary types are listed only by pres- ence, both in ZFMK and other collections including holotype repositories. Geographic origin and currently valid names are also provided.

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Reliable information about the species composition of the fauna, way of life, abundance, distribution, and breeding features is not only the initial data for in-depth zoological, evolutionary and ecological research, but also the source for nature conservation activity based on the analysis of the state of wildlife resources. The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768; Reptilia, Squamata) is one of the most vulnerable species of reptiles in the domestic herpetofauna. Therefore, it is the object of ecological research aimed at studying population structure, biotopic distribution, including within the protected natural areas and areas that are undergoing significant anthropogenic transformation. The work is based on field studies conducted in April - August 2018 and data from the regular phenological observations of the Dniester Canyon National Nature Park. The current status of the European green lizard population (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) within the territory of Dniester Canyon National Nature Park has been investigated. The abundance and spatial distribution of the species populations in different biotopes have been studiedon the basis of long-term phenological observations according to the program of the Chronicle of Nature of the National Nature Park and the authors’ research. The data of the species occurrence on the territory of the Park for the last six years is given. The abundance of the European green lizard populations under different biotopical conditions and the main factors influencing the studied parameters have been analyzed.

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The population exhibits a high density and is rather stable. Numerous suitable areas are occu- pied by L. viridis within the study site. The biggest threat for this population is the increase of bushy vegetation and closure of the Eastern and western L. viridis are differently adapted to temperature. The western population begins with its daily activity phase at a temperature which is at least 7 °C lower, when compared to the eastern population. Consequentially its yearly activity phase starts between two and three weeks (in very mild winters up to six weeks) earlier.

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The population exhibits a high density and is rather stable. Numerous suitable areas are occu- pied by L. viridis within the study site. The biggest threat for this population is the increase of bushy vegetation and closure of the Eastern and western L. viridis are differently adapted to temperature. The western population begins with its daily activity phase at a temperature which is at least 7 °C lower, when compared to the eastern population. Consequentially its yearly activity phase starts between two and three weeks (in very mild winters up to six weeks) earlier.

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Reptiles and amphibians from temperate zones can be kept in outdoor terrariums. Outside there is often more room for larger dwellings than inside the house. Measures have ro be taken to prevent mice, moles, cars and so on ro gain access to rhe interior. At some spot the animals have to find refuge during high temperatures and during hibernation. The author prefers glass covered terrariums, for instance glass-houses, for sunlight can create high tempera- tures even in early spring and late autumn. During rhe summer, part of the glass is removed to prevent excessive hearing. In winter a thick layer of dry lea- ves is applied when it starts freezing. Good results are obtained with Podarcis sicula, Podarcis lilfordi and Lacerta viridis in this way. On several spots the weekly highest and lowest tem- peratures are registered, for instance in a sunny spot, in the shadow and in rhe place of hibernation. Diagrams are shown representing rhe yearly varia- tion in these temperatures. Keeping animals this way gives an extra dimension to our hobby.

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BREEDING WITH CLOSELY RELATED ANIMALS, NOT WITHOUT RISK The negative consequences of inbreeding in small populations of reptiles and amphibians are discus- sed. When a species breeds in captivity, the resulting population after several generations often has a limi- ted amount of genetic variation. This is due to the fact that the ancestors of this group are made up of only a few founder-animals. Certain genetic charac- teristics can be expressed more frequent in their off- spring because they tend to accumulate in a small population, especially when the breeder tries to select for certain qualities. Other features are easily lost due to the often limited size of the group, in which only a limited amount of genes can be pre- sent. The animals are no longer wild, but in stead domesticated. with a coiled tail and a paralysed right hind leg. The remaining egg was opened and contained a still living animal that looked normal from chest to head. The rest ofits body consisted ofan unstructu- red tumour-like process. The healthy looking ani- mals and the lizards with the coiled tails thrived well, although the latter ones lost their abnormal shaped tail within an day. Olsson et al (1996) describes a very isolated popula- tion of Lacerta agilis in Sweden, in which malfor- med tails and paralysed extremities are often seen. Supported by laboratory experiments he claims that those aberrations are a result of inbreeding. In captivity populations can often be compared to a very isolated population in nature. Keepers of repti- les and amphibians should be well aware o f the nega- tive consequences ofmating between closely related animals of a species. It is a potential danger for the survival ofsome groups in captivity. It is recommen- ded to artificially enlarge the population ofa species, and with it its genetic variation, by working together with other keepers. Animals can be exchanged to minimize inbreeding, joining a studbook project is especially recommended. Jur ter Borg Sometimes negative features can be seen more fre- quent in those populations, especially when siblings are allowed to mate. The author describes offspring ofa brother/sister mating in Lacerta viridis. It is sug- gested, that on their turn their parents were proba- bly offspring of related animals too. Several clutches ofeggs were laid, often not fertilized and often dying off during incubation. Only two healthy looking juveniles hatched from 45 eggs. At first the author thought this was the result of Calcium/vitamin defi- ciency, although he had good results breeding seve- ral species ofPodarcis, giving the same care. More Calcium and vitamins were provided, resul- ting in a clutch of 12 eggs, ofwhich 3 not fertilized. The other eggs died offduring incubation. An other clutch of 17 eggs contained 6 unfertilized eggs. The rest ofthe eggs resulted in 7 normal looking animals, one fully grown juvenile that had died off just befo- re hatching, one animal with a coiled tail and one with a coiled tail and a paralysed right hind leg. The remaining egg was opened and contained a still living animal that looked normal from chest to head. The rest ofits body consisted ofan unstructu- red tumour-like process. The healthy looking ani- mals and the lizards with the coiled tails thrived well, although the latter ones lost their abnormal shaped tail within an day. Olsson et al (1996) describes a very isolated popula- tion of Lacerta agilis in Sweden, in which malfor- med tails and paralysed extremities are often seen. Supported by laboratory experiments he claims that those aberrations are a result of inbreeding. In captivity populations can often be compared to a very isolated population in nature. Keepers of repti- les and amphibians should be well aware o f the nega- tive consequences ofmating between closely related animals of a species. It is a potential danger for the survival ofsome groups in captivity. It is recommen- ded to artificially enlarge the population ofa species, and with it its genetic variation, by working together with other keepers. Animals can be exchanged to minimize inbreeding, joining a studbook project is especially recommended.

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The hybrid Rana esculenta (diploid) is first recorded for Moldavia. Bombina variegata was previously confused with B. bombina, as well as Rana dalmatina was confused with the long-legged R. arvalis. The first confirmed locality of Lacerta vivipara is given. The occurrence of Eremias arguta in Moldavia is mentioned. The check-list of 12 species of amphibians and 15 species of reptiles of Moldavia is published.

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Note are given on the herpetofauna of Greece, with special reference to some of the (sub-) species. The observations were made during a spring trip.

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The organon vasculosum hypothalami of Lacerta viridis was investigated by means of light- and electron microscopy. Beneath the ependyma a strongly vascularized nucleus of small bipolar nerve cells was found. No relation could be found between the ultrastructure of the cells and their content of histochemically traceable catecholamines. The clublike processes of neuroplasm penetrate the ventricle and form a dense plexus with cilia and other cell processes. There is a possibility that biogenic amines are secreted through the nerve cell processes into the cerebrospinal fluid. A second type of cell, forming a superficial layer, and the adjacent nucleus ventromedialis tuberis also send processes into the ventricle. It is supposed that these processes have a receptor function.

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The distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the central nervous system of the lizards Lacerta viridis and muralis was investigated with the fluorescence method of Falck and Hillarp. Microspectrometric analyses revealed that the yellow fluorescence had the characteristics of the fluorophore of 5-hydroxytryptamine and chemical determinations on whole brains demonstrated the presence of considerable quantities of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5,2–6,4 μg/g). Nuclear areas of the mesencephalon, di and telencephalon, which are mainly intercalated in sensory pathways, receive terminal ramifications of 5-hydroxytryptaminecontaining neurons. These fibres are presumed to originate from cells situated in the tegmentum. The nucleus reticularis mesencephali is shown to contain numerous perikarya of nerve cells rich in 5-hydroxytryptamine.

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Rates of turnover of oxygen, water and sodium were measured in free-ranging and captive Lacerta viridis in western France during their period of reproduction in May, and again in late autumn prior to their entering winter hibernation. Rates of C02 production and turnover of water and sodium in captive lizards showed little significant variation and these animals appeared to be buffered to a large extent from environmental changes, even though they were exposed to external climatic influences. Overall means for rates of CO2 production in free-ranging individuals did not vary statistically between seasons but considerable individual variation was observed during the breeding season in May. The animals could be divided into `active` and `inactive` groups on the basis of their rate of CO2 production and other significant differences were apparent between these two groups: `active` individuals had increased rates of sodium turnover, lower body water contents and lost body mass during the period of observation whereas the `inactive` individuals gained mass over the same period. These data suggest that not all individuals necessarily participate in the activity associated with breeding in spring in this species and further behavioural studies would seem appropriate in the light of these physiological data. Calculation of the `Water Effectiveness Index` for this species from the ratio of water to energy turnover suggests that Lacerta viridis is a profligate utiliser of available resources when compared with similar-sized species of lizards inhabiting desert environments.

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We examined stages of embryonic development at the time of oviposition in 10 populations of seven species of lacertids from northern Spain, including one of the few species of lizards that exhibits reproductive bimodality (Lacerta vivipara). In the species studied, embryonic development at the time of oviposition ranges, as a whole, from stage 22-34 in the classification of Dufaure and Hubert, showing highly significant differences between populations. Lacerta vivipara (two populations; stages from 30-34) and L. monticola (28-31) are the species with a more advanced intrauterine embryogenesis, while at the opposite end one can find Podarcis bocagei (22-26) and P. hispanica (two subspecies: stages from 24-27). Lacerta viridis, L. schreiberi and P. muralis are in an intermediate situation (stages 25-29), without appreciable differences among species. Our data show that species with more advanced egg retention reach the highest elevations in the study area, and there also seems to exist a relationship between the egg retention level and the northern distribution limit for oviparous lizards in Europe. However, there is no evidence of intraspecific variability in that regard. No significant correlations were found between developmental stage at oviposition and female size, clutch size, or egg mass, but relative clutch mass (RCM) was significantly larger in species with a more advanced embryonic development at oviposition. This difference in RCM was mainly due to an increase in clutch size (adjusted for female size) and not to an increase in the mass of individual eggs, which tended to be lower in relation to female mass in those species with a more prolonged egg retention.

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The Herpetological Collection of the Trieste Natural History Museum has almost 700 specimens of European Sauria belonging to about 33 taxa, including all the lacertids of northern Adriatic re- gions. The origin of the collection dates back to the foundation of the Museum of Trieste in 1846, but it was increased mainly between 1871 and 1939. The Herpetological Collection of the Trieste Natural History Museum has a great scientific and historical importance; it documents the varia- tion of the composition and distribution of northern Adriatic Sauria fauna during this century, in- cluding endemic varieties typical of little islands.

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Many wild animals are exposed to road kills in the world. Amphibians and reptiles which live near the roads are the most endangered groups among vertebrates related to the road kills. However, there are only few studies about the road kills of amphibians and reptiles in Turkey. We recorded 23 individuals (6 amphibian individuals belonging to 2 species and 17 reptile individuals belonging to 9 species) exposed to road kills on the E87 highway on June 18-22, 2016 in Kırklareli province while we found 134 individuals (114 amphibian individuals belonging to 3 species and 20 reptile individuals belonging to 8 species) killed on the Enez-Ipsala highway on June 22-25, 2016 in Edirne province. The individuals killed more often belonged to Pelophylax ridibundus and Bufotes variabilis in the Edirne while the species more affected by road kills were Pelophylax ridibundus, Lacerta trilineata, Dolichophis caspius and Testudo graeca in Kırklareli. The results of this short-term study show that there is a need for long-term studies to show that amphibians and reptiles exposed to road kills are very common.

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The present study was designed to obtain information about life history traits of Lacerta viridis in the Belen population with an altitude of 292 m. In the adult sample (21 males and 15 females), the age ranged from 3 – 10 (X = 6.97) years for both sexes collectively, 5 – 10 (X = 7.43) years in males, 3 – 8 (X = 6.33) years in females and not differed significantly between sexes. Age at sexual maturity was 2 – 3 years for both sexes. However, a confirmation is required with some sexual characters (e.g., the presence of eggs for female, developed hemipenes for male) for age at sexual maturity in both sexes. The mean body size (SVL) was not significantly different between sexes. There was no correlation between SVL and age for males while there was a positive correlation for females. A male.

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It is a fact that the amphibians and reptiles respond to unfavourable weather conditions by searching an underground refuge to survive during winter. The current literature has shown that some species of reptilians and amphibians may become active before their known end of hibernation periods, especially in lowland areas. In the present study, it has been detected that the changing weather conditions in a highland area in Gümüshane, Turkey can cause similar effects on Lacerta media, Bufo bufo and Rana macrocnemis that share the same habitats. One of the reasons of the early activities of some reptilian and amphibian species before their known end of hibernation periods may be the high sensitivity of these species to the changing temperature conditions. Effects of global warming on reptilians and amphibians obvious, and some members of these animals can even be active during winter. This conclusion brings into mind that L. media, B. bufo and R. macrocnemis can continue to be active at highland areas as long as air temperature values allow them.

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In seasons 2003 and 2004 we examined 312 individuals of lacertid lizards for ectoparasites in central and southwestern Slovenia. Collected were 538 Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acarina, Ixodidae) (71.7% larvae and 28.3% nimfae) on 103 lizards (33.0%). The region of forelimbs (armpit) was the most preferred attachment site of ticks. Most infested were lizards living near woods, least infested those living in areas with no vegetation coverage. Males were more infested than females, but only in the spring time. Lizards living in the submediterranean area were significantly less infested than lizards in areas with continental climate. We noticed a certain dynamics in the number of larval and nymphal stages throughout the season. The Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis complex) was the most infested lizard species (77.4% infestation), and the Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis sicula) was the least infested (11.1% infestation). There was only a weak correlation between lizard size and tick number. We also noticed 1101 parasitic mites (subclass Acarina, excluding Ixodida) infesting 25.9% of lizards. Some mites were collected and later identified as Ophionyssus lacertinus and Ericotrombidium sp. (Trombiculidae). The Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis sicula) was most infested lizard species with parasitic mites (76.7% infestation). The majority of parasitic mites was concentrated in the region of hind legs, under belly scales and on the tail. There was no statistically significant difference in infestation in various habitats or between males and females. Lizards living in the submediterranean area were significantly more infested than lizards in areas with continental climate (exactly the opposite as infestation with ticks). These are the first data on parasitic mites on lacertid lizards in Slovenia.

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In this investigation, we aimed to determine the amphibian and reptile species distributed in Bartın province (Northwest Blacksea Region of Turkey). As a result of previously and current studies, we recorded two Urodela amphibian species (Ommatotriton ophryticus and Triturus ivanbureschi), six Anura amphibian species (Bufo bufo, Bufotes variabilis, Hyla orientalis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana macrocnemis and R. dalmatina), three turtle species (Emys orbicularis, Mauremys rivulata and Testudo graeca), four lizard species (Anguis fragilis, Darevskia rudis, Lacerta viridis and Podarcis muralis) and eight snake species (Coronella austriaca, Dolichophis caspius, Eirenis modestus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, N. megalocephala, Vipera transcaucasiana and Zamenis longissimus) in Bartın Province, which totally 23 species. There are no endemic species in our country among them. Natrix megalocephala is also a new record for Bartın province.

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Cytological and molecular evidence is provided to characterize the sex chromosomes of several species of Lacertidae. Observations on pachytene and lampbrush stages show that sex chromosomes have different condensation cycles and are only partially paired during meiosis. Bkm probe hybridization to Pst I-treated genomic DNA of Podarcis sicula and Lacerta vivipara shows the same pattern both in males and females. In situ hybridization of the same probe to Lacerta vivipara chromosomes shows no preferential localization of this DNA sequence. The results obtained clearly exclude the possible involvement of Bkm in sex-chromosome differentiation in the species investigated.

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The authors have studied the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Fer-riere Valley (Amalfi, SA), a locality near Amalfi on the Sorrentine Peninsula, where flows the torrent Ceraso. This area is peculiar from a climatic point of view, favou-ring the survival of Woodwardìa radicans (L.) Sm (Filicopsida, Blechnaceae), a relict of the Tertiary period. The following species were found: Salamandra salamandra, Salamandrina ter digitata, Bufo bufo, Rana dal mat ina, Rana graeea, Tarentola mauri-tanica, Lacerto viridis, Podarcis sicula, Coluber virìdiflavus, Elaphe longissima, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Natrix natrix, Vipera aspis. The phytogeografìc and faunistic impor-tance of biotope is emphasized.

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We discuss three aspects of the thermal biology of lacertid lizards. First, we provide an overview of the available data on field body temperatures (Tb), the thermal sensitivity of various performance functions and selected body temperatures in different species of lacertid lizards. We also briefly summarise information on the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Second, we discuss recent developments to estimate the »precision« of thermoregulation, and the contribution of distinct behavioural mechanisms. Finally, we revise available evidence for the existence of evolutionary adjustments of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Existing studies have mainly dealt with within- and among-species differences in thermoregulatory behaviour (selected temperatures) and thermal physiology of adults (optimal temperatures, heating rates). Available data provide only limited evidence for clear-cut evolutionary shifts in thermal physiology characteristics along climatic gradients.

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The European distribution of Montivipera xanthina includes the coastline of the eastern central Greek Thrace (southeastern Rhodopes and southern Evros). While in south-eastern Evros, the easternmost part of its distribution, Montivipera xanthina seems to be a well-defined evolutionary line, in the central area of this wide territory, in south-western Evros, this viper seems to be very rare or absent; this means that the westernmost populations (those of the Rhodopes) have undergone some kind of isolation or semi-isolation that might have induced the formation of a new subspecies: Montivipera xanthina occidentalis ssp. nov. The new taxon differs from other known subspecies for the tendency to a reduced size and correspondingly for a lower number of intercanthals and of dorsal scales rows, both in the midbody (mostly 21-22) and in the posterior part of the body (often 15-16). A list of herpetological species found in the study area (south-western Evros, Greece NE) is also reported.

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The earliest world record of the green lizards, Lacerta viridis group, is described from the lower Miocene of Central Europe. The fossils come from greenish, calcareous marls and limnic clayey silts of the Ottnangian zone MN 4 of the Dolnice locality near Cheb in the Czech Republic. Sediments are interpreted as marginal, riparian facies. The material consists of isolated frontal bones of two different ontogenetic stages and one isolated fragment of parietal. Their morphology is identical to that of the extant members of the L. viridis group. However, the fossil material is much older than the previously described specimens of green lizards. Therefore, this finding extends our knowledge about the evolution and stratigraphic range of the group and about composition of the early Miocene herpetofauna in central Europe.

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In this investigation, lizard species of Turkish Thrace are investigated indetail for the first time. Morphological characretirstics, range, distribution and subspecific states of the species are given. Furthermore, some observations concerning their biological and ecological characteristics are also given. In this study a total of 678 specimens and 10 species belonging to 3 families of Lacertilia have been investigated from Turkish Trace.

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In this research, A total of 64 males and 37 female adult specimens from Turkish Thrace and 158 male and 188 female adult specimens from Anatolia were investigated comparatively as two separate populations groups to determine the subspecific status of the species in Turkey. No significant differences are discernible between the two population groups from the viewpoints of pholidosis, morphometrical measurements and rations and pattern and coloration characteristics. So the Turkish L. viridis populations belong to a single subspecies L. v. meridionalis.

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The European green lizard, Lacerta viridis, is in the Bohemia region stated as critically endangered species. Populations in this region are located beyond the northern border of continuous range of this species and are closely related to the „riverine phenomenon“, and deeply engorged river valleys. The chosen locality in Tiché údolí is a subject to a long-term conservational management aimed to strengthen and maintain abundance of the local population. This management is a direct output of a previous study of this population performed in years 1995-1997. Main goal of the presented study is to compare current population characteristics with the older study. The locality has been visited 119 times in years from 2011 to 2014. The studied population now displays higher abundance and inhabits a larger area. The author also performed a spatial analysis of the places with presence of an observed individual in order to determine and evaluate significance of the chosen abiotic factors for habitat discrimination. The results indicate that positive discrimination is based on the presence of a rock debris and a hiding place. Strongest factors towards negative discrimination were high percentages of grass and high vegetation coverage. This study also contains and discusses ecological, ethological and morphological data collected during the period of the research. Key words: European green lizard, Lacerta viridis, Tiché údolí, riverine phenomenon, spatial analysis, microhabitat, DFA, population characteristics.

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The European green lizard, Lacerta viridis (Laurenti, 1768), is listed in the Czech Republic as critically endangered. Its distribution in the Bohemia region is restricted to small isolated local populations which are located beyond the northern border of continuous range of this species and are closely related to very specific habitats. Populations in southern Moravia form the northwestern boundary of the continuous distribution of the species. Based on the statewide database of the Czech Nature Conservation Agency, we created a predictive model and determined key factors influencing the species distribution in the Czech Republic. The most relevant factors were: annual precipitation, terrain slope, average temperature of the warmest quarter and precipitation in the coldest quarter. The model is well compatible with published data on Lacerta viridis distribution in the Czech Republic and is applicable in both theory and practice of the species conservation – e.g. focusing faunistic research to certain areas, critical analysis of controversial presence reports and as an input for species management in the form of repatriation and introduction.

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The Greek lizard fauna consists of 26 species from which 5 are monotypic and the other ones are represented by a total of 86 subspecies. Five species and 61 subspecies are endemic of Greece. A checklist including the geographical distribution of each taxon in the Greek region is presented.

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A list of the herpetofauna of Samothraki is given in Table 2. In this list I have tried to include all amphibia and teptilia to which I can find certain references. Only two amphibians are known, R. ridibunda and B. viridis. I looked persistently for Brown Frogs but to no avail although conditions were suitable. The streams that run across to the north coast rise at fairly low altitude but the water is cool enough to support the life style of, say, R. graeca. Higher mountain streams might well contain Brown Frogs but these were not visited. The co-existence of two wall lizards that do not normally come together on islands is noteworthy: P. erhardii and P. muralis. Both seem uncommon or even rare and probably represent populations in decline. The snake-eyed Lizard, Ophisops elegans, is absent from Samothraki. This fact, and the occurrence of P. erhardii, demonstrates that this island did not receive faunal elements from Asia Minor. Regarding the snakes all species are what one might anticipate for this coastal island. An exception is E. longissima (Buttle 1989) which otherwise is not known from islands in the Aegean region. The presence of E. quatuorlineata sauromates (Wettstein 1953 p.800) is based on a sight identification but can be taken to be sufficient documentation to allow its inclusion, as with Buttle`s siting of E. longissima. Viperine snakes have not been found.

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The herpetofauna of Thassos consists of 5 amphibians (2 toads, 3 frogs) and 14 reptiles (1 tortoise, 1 terrapin, 6 lizards, 6 snakes), a total of 19 species. The possibility that some of the species mentioned in List B may also occur brings the total to a porentlal 24. In addition a further two species need to be considered: Ablepharus kitaibelli, Snakeeyed Skink, and Emys orbicularis, European Pond Tortoise. As I have indicated (Clark, 1993) the apparent absence of the former species is curious considering its otherwise ubiquitous range. This little skink prefers cool, dampish situations and is most commonly found in the early spring and autumn. E.orbicularis has recently been recorded from Samothraki (Broggi, 1988) where it is sympatric with Mauremys caspica.

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e reptile fauna of Romania comprises 23 species, out of which 12 species reach here the limit of their geographic range. We compiled and updated a national database of the reptile species occurrences from a variety of sources including our own eld surveys, personal communication from specialists, museum collections and the scienti c literature. e occurrence records were georeferenced and stored in a geoda- tabase for additional analysis of their spatial patterns. e spatial analysis revealed a biased sampling e ort concentrated in various protected areas, and de cient in the vast agricultural areas of the southern part of Romania. e patterns of species richness showed a higher number of species in the warmer and drier regions, and a relatively low number of species in the rest of the country. Our database provides a starting point for further analyses, and represents a reliable tool for drafting conservation plans.

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We studied the habitat availability and use of four lizard species occurring in the Natura 2000 ROSCI0123 Măcin Mountains protected area, located in the southeastern part of Romania, at the northern limit of the Balkan Peninsula, close to the Danube River. It covers an area of 18,546 ha and the highest peak rises 467 meters above sea level. Eleven Natura 2000 habitat types were identified and mapped within the protected area. We used over 1500 georeferenced occurrence records for the four species of lizards occurring there collected during an ongoing inventory that started in 2006. The species occurrences were each associated with a habitat type, and we assumed that the number of records within each habitat type was a proxy of habitat use. All four lizard species showed selectivity in habitat use to different degrees. Thus Podarcis tauricus avoided 55% of habitat types, Lacerta viridis and Ablepharus kitaibelli avoided 64% while Lacerta trilineata avoided 73% of habitat types. All four species preferred one single habitat: 40C0 “Ponto-Sarmatic deciduous thickets”. The habitat with the highest preference was 8230 “Siliceous rocks with pioneer vegetation...” for Podarcis tauricus, 8220 “Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation” for Lacerta trilineata, 40C0 “Ponto-Sarmatic deciduous thickets” for L. viridis and 91AA “Eastern white oak woods” for Ablepharus kitaibelli. The habitat niche of the four species varied largely, thus reducing competition and predation by larger species.

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One of Darwin`s most widely known conjectures is that prey are tame on remote islands, where mammalian predators are absent. Many species appear to permit close approach on such islands, but no comparative studies have demonstrated reduced wariness quantified as flight initiation distance (FID; i.e. predator–prey distance when the prey begins to flee) in comparison with mainland relatives. We used the phylogenetic comparative method to assess influence of distance from the mainland and island area on FID of 66 lizard species. Because body size and predator approach speed affect predation risk, we included these as independent variables. Multiple regression showed that FID decreases as distance from mainland increases and is shorter in island than mainland populations. Although FID increased as area increased in some models, collinearity made it difficult to separate effects of area from distance and island occupancy. FID increases as SVL increases and approach speed increases; these effects are statistically independent of effects of distance to mainland and island occupancy. Ordinary least-squares models fit the data better than phylogenetic regressions, indicating little or no phylogenetic signal in residual FID after accounting for the independent variables. Our results demonstrate that island tameness is a real phenomenon in lizards.

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During the reproductive period (spring) under the control of testosterone the epididymis of the viviparous lizard secretes a group of major proteins with an approximate Mr of 19,000 named L protein(s). These proteins are recognized by a specific immunoserum and bind to the heads of spermatozoa. During spring, translation in reticulocyte lysate of RNA from secreting epididymis (stage 6) produced 5 immunoprecipitable bands with Mr values from 21,500 to 25,000. Such synthesis is undetectable during sexual rest in summer (stage 1). The 5 bands disappear when translation is performed in the presence of dog pancreas microsomes although a new band of Mr 19 000 becomes prominent. This suggests that synthesis of L protein involves two steps, i.e. synthesis of precursors (L preproteins) followed by a maturation process. At least 11 translation products (including L-preproteins) are involved in annual variations that follow the differentiation of the epididymal epithelial cells and their androgen dependency was studied by castration and in-vitro stimulation by testosterone. In these conditions, testosterone is able to control accumulation of RNA corresponding to L preproteins and to a translation product of Mr 29 000.

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In the researched area, we identified a total of 16 species for the herpetofauna. Among these, 11 belong to the amphibians (Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana dalmatina) and 5 to the reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis taurica, Natrix natrix). Aside these 16 species, we also identified populations of Rana kl. esculenta, a hybrid form between Rana ridibunda and Rana lessonae.

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We studied the composition and the geographic spreading of the herpethofauna from Tasnad Hills, between the years 2000 and 2003. In this region, we have identified 12 Amphibian species (Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Rana ridibunda, Rana dalmatina and Rana arvalis), 8 Reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca, Vipera berus) and 3 species of hybrids between some amphibian species (Triturus cristatus X Triturus dobrogicus, , Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata and Rana Kl. esculenta). We also found numerous Zootoca vivipara populations in the swamps from the plain region, the species being well represented at altitudes of about 150 m. What is also important to mention is the fact that we found Triturus dobrogicus, hybrids between this species and Triturus cristatus, or the first ever discovery of Vipera berus in Tasnad Hills, at about 200 m altitude.

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In the studied region we encountered 7 species of amphibian (Triturus dobrogicus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Epidalea (Bufo) viridis, Pelophylax (Rana) ridibundus) and 4 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix). The herpetofauna of the studied region is one typical for the plain areas from Romania. Pelobates syriacus was recorded for the first time in Ialomiţa County.

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In the studied area we encountered 14 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana dalmatina, Rana arvalis) and 9 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca, Elaphe longissima and Vipera berus). Hybrids between Triturus cristatus and Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata and Rana kl. esculenta are also present in this region. The herpetofauna of this reservation from the inferior course of the Tur River stands out through the glacier relicts that live here, in the woody swamps from the plains (R. arvalis, Z. vivipara and V. berus). Population of Salamandra salamandra and Bombina variegata can be found here at altitudes of no more than 140 m. In this reservation, all the three forms of the Rana green complex that live in Romania are present. The most important sectors of the reservation, from what the herpetofauna is concerned, are the afforested areas. These shelter most of the species and the biggest population of the protected species. The results of our study show the necessity to include into the reservation the forests from Livada.

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In western Maramures county we encountered 13 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus montandoni, Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria), 7 species of reptile (Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Elaphe longissima, Coronella austriaca, Natrix, natrix), as well as hybrids between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata and also populations of Rana esculenta. The hybrids between the 2 species of Bombina are present at the same altitude as in the rest of western Romania in general. In this region are present plain species as well as species prone to higher areas. The Carpathian newt descends to a more reduced altitude then in general in Romania, but comparable to those at which it was noticed in the Oas region.

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The south-western part of Mehedinţi County comprises many herpetofauna species, compared to most regions in Romania. This is how we managed to encounter 14 amphibian species (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax lessonae, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria) plus Pelophylax kl. esculentus and 15 reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis taurica, Darevskia praticola, Anguis fragilis, Zamenis longissimus, Dolichophis caspius, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes). Salamandra salamandra, Bombina variegata and Rana temporaria were identified at very low altitudes, lower than any other indication from Romania up to present. This is explained by the fact that mountain valleys, bearing here a typical aspect, reach all the way to the Danube, carrying with them the occurring species. In Blahnita Plain, Darevskia praticola appears in cleared areas, being present in the vegetation girdles bordering the canals found between agricultural fields.

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In Dobrudja we encountered 10 species of amphibians (Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae), 16 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Testudo graeca, Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta trilineata, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis muralis, Eremias arguta, Coronella austriaca, Zamensis longissimus, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Dolichophis caspius, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes) and also Rana kl. esculenta populations. Some species of amphibians (Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus) that were only previously known inform the lower regions of the Danube’s meadow and in the vicinity of the Black Sea, were recorded in the high areas of northern Dobrudja. Also here, all three forms of the green frogs’ complex documented for Romania have been encountered, but Rana lessonae and Rana esculenta are very rare, being found only in the north. The central sectors of Dobrudja are severely impacted by human activities, almost completely cleared as a result of agriculture and showed very low number of herpetofauna species as being present. The most important areas for the herpetofauna are the northern and south-western regions.

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Herpetofauna is of interest in protected areas because of the large number of protected species. We studied the herpetofauna of Cozia National Park (CNP) between 2016 and 2018. CNP is situated in the central part of the Southern Romanian Carpathians. We recorded 10 species of amphibian (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and R. temporaria), and 11 reptile species (Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Podarcis muralis, Darevskia praticola, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis colchica, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes). Reptiles dominate in number of species, number of individuals and distribution records. CNP is situated at the northern limit of the distribution range of some of these reptiles, notably D. praticola and V. ammodytes. Mountain species associated with a colder, moist climate are very rare or even absent. Zootoca vivipara is restricted to the highest areas of Mount Cozia, above 1 350 m. Although mountain species are well represented in other Carpathian regions, the warmer, drier climate of CNP and its surroundings has limited their distribution in the area, pushing Z. vivipara to higher and higher altitudes. Lacerta agilis is syntopic with all the other lizard species. In some areas, as many as four lizard species cohabitate. The distribution of the herpetofauna in CNP has been negatively influenced by past human activity. The dams on the River Olt have favoured species related to large, stagnant bodies of water, in a region where such habitats were naturally missing. In addition, massive deforestation has decreased the abundance of herpetofauna in many areas of CNP.

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The basin of Lake Skadar with its drainage area represents one of the Balkan Peninsula’s hotspots regarding amphibian and reptile fauna. The value of the batracho- and herpetofauna of the Lake Skadar region is reflected in a rich and diverse composition of species. This is undoubtedly the result of the basin’s specific geographic position and complex geological history. Recent studies revealed that Lake Skadar’s watershed is inhabited by 15 amphibian and 36 reptile species. Among these, one amphibian (Pelophylax shqipericus – EN) and two reptile species (Dinarolacerta mosorensis and Vipera ursinii, both VU) are considered to be globally threatened according to IUCN criteria. An additional three reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, and Elaphe quatuorlineata) could become threatened in the future. As an attractive tourist area, a significant part of the Lake Skadar region could be impacted by fast and intense anthropogenic changes. Therefore, preserving the network of suitable habitats, maintaining continuous monitoring, and investing in additional research are essential for maintaining this rich local amphibian and reptile diversity.

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After a brief introduction to the main geologica!, climatologica! and botanical features of the area- a territory of Latium region, Central Italy- the work synthetized data about its vertebrate fauna with exclusive regard to Amphibians, Reptiles an d Mammals. In this list 46 species and subspecies are considered ofwhich 8 are Amphibians, 11 Reptiles and 27 Mammals. Ecologica! analysis has focused the attenction on the absence or scarcity of many thermophilous species, a fact which finds explanation, according to the Authors, in the `continental` position ofthe district. Among the species, many are rare or localized and some considerations are carried out in order to their management and protection.

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(The montane habitat of the green lizard - Lacerta viridis viridis LAURENTI - at Úvár in West Mátra /height above sea level 640 - 675 m/.) Author investigates the judgement of the specis in the zoogeographical special literature with the help of some zoogeographical data and the oecological characterisation of a new montane habitat. The Lacerta viridis viridis can be found only sporadic in the Northern Highlands of Hungary under very dry and very warm microclimatical circumstances which differ significantly from the local mezoclimatical values, and among specific configurations of the terrain.

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Comparative analyses were carried out about the variability of the pileal shields of different species belonging to the family Lacertidae. The results of the comparisons have been evaluated in respect to the phylogenetical relationships existing between the different genera and species of the family.

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The regional in the very centre of Burgundy (France) was visited in the summer of 1975 and 1977 during 4 and 3 weeks. An area of 50 square kilometers was investigated mainly in respect to the reptiles and amphibians. They appeared to be well represented, the amphibians with 5 species: Rana temporaria, Bujo bujo, Bombina variegata, Trilllrus helveticus and Salamandra s. terrestris. We also met the following species of reptiles: Lacerta agilis, Lacerta vivipara, A nguis fragilis, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix and presumably Elaphe longissima. The occurrence of Lacerta muralis and Lacerta viridis near Beaune is mentioned.

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The taxon name Lacerta varia has been independently coined four times. Such homonymy can result in nomen-clatural instability. We show that all but one name are nomina oblita. This way we protect the longstanding name Lacerta bilineataDaudin, 1802. With respect to the species epithet varia in combination with the genus name Lacerta only Lacerta varia by Shaw in White, 1790 is available for nomenclatural purposes representing Varanusvarius (Shaw in White, 1790).

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Preliminary investigations on the herpetofauna of the lower plain of Friuli. Eco-ethological notes on Amphibians and Reptiles of `Bosco Baredi` and `Selva di Arvonchi` (Muzzana del Turgnano, Udine). -- The lower plain of southern Friuli, ranging from the `line of springs` until the sea, is characterized by the presence of plain-growing woods, now reduced to very small surfaces. Their main feature is the high level of the subsoil water, which, owing to the clayey ground, is very near to the soil surface or even emerging during some periods of the year. This survey is a preliminary investigation on the herpetological species living in this environment, the researches are now carried on in the forest called `Bosco Baredi` and `Selva di Arvonchi`, belonging to the Commune of Muzzana del Turgnano, in the Province of Udine (Italy). The community of Amphibians included eight species (Triturus vulgaris meridionalis Boul., Triturus cristatus carnifex Laur., Bombina variegata variegata L., Bufo bufo spinosus Daud., Hyla arborea arborea L., Rana esculenta — complex, Rana dalmatina Bon, and Rana latastei Boul.) and so also the population of Reptiles (Emys orbicularis (L.), Lacerta viridis viridis (Laur.), Anguis fragilis fragilis L., Coluber viridiflavus carbonarius Bon., Coronella austriaca Laur., Elaphe longissima longissima (Laur.), Natrix natrix (L.) and Vipera aspis francisciredi (Laur.). Instead it was not possible to establish the presence of Salamandra salamandra salamandra L., Bufo viridis viridis Laur. and Pelobates fuscus insubricus Corn. Eco-ethological data on the observed herpetological species are given, particularly on their biology, reproduction period, annual activity, frequented substrates, in connection to special climatic factors as the temperature of the water and of the substrates frequented by the specimens. Some bromatological observations on the Ophidians living in this wood could be carried on. It was established that the predation of Vipera aspis (L.) includes in addition to several species of small Mammals also Rana dalmatina Bon. and/or Rana latastei Boul. and interfers with Natrix natrix (L.), which usually eats Amphibians. The importance of the still existing residual planitial woods is underlined in the conclusions. These woods represent typical refugium habitats for many stenotopic species tied to specially humid and fresh microclimates.

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A study on the trophic spectrum of three species of lacertid lizards (Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis and Podarcis taurica) was carried out, based on 32 specimens collected in the period 1959-1968 in various localities in South Bulgaria. The analyzed data showed that the insects (Insecta) are the most numerous and the most frequently met among the alimentary components of the total amount of food of the studied stomachs. The insects consisted 80,0% of the total amount of food of Lacerta agilis, 88,8% of Lacerta viridis and 72,6% of Podarcis taurica. The insects were mainly presented by Coleoptera (Lacerta agilis - 40,0%, Lacerta viridis – 66,6% and Podarcis taurica – 30,2%) followed by Diptera and larvae of Lepidoptera. The noninsect components consisted spiders (Lacerta viridis - 7,4%, Podarcis taurica - 16,6%), amphipods (Podarcis taurica - 3,1%) and gastropods (Lacerta agilis – 20,0%). In our opinion, the variety of the trophic spectrum of each species suggests that most likely there isn’t strong competition for food between these three species of lizards in their sympatric localities.

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In der Milz der Eidechse (Abb. 4a) ist keine Sonderung in weiße und in rote Pulpa nachweisbar. Auch kommt eine Unterteilung der roten Pulpa in besondere Pulpastränge hier noch nicht vor. In dieser Hinsicht ist also die Pulpa der menschlichen Milz komplizierter gebaut (s. Abschnitt Schlußfolgerung beiBlechschmidt 1937). 2. In der Milzkapsel fehlen Muskeln. 3. Die Verteilung der Arterien und der arteriellen Kapillaren erfolgt gleichmäßig (Abb. 6). 4. Die größeren Arterien teilen sich vorwiegend dichotomisch (Abb. 6,P); die Aufteilung in die Kapillaren erfolgt pinselartig („Kapillarbüschel“ Abb. 6,KB). 5. In der Eidechsenmilz gibt es keine Kapillarhülsen. 6. Die arteriellen Kapillaren enden im Reticulum (Abb. 10). 7. Im Reticulum sind engere und weitere Maschen zu unterscheiden. Letztere ordnen sich zu röhrenförmigen Gebilden — denReticulumröhrchen (Abb. 10,R). 8. Die in der Eidechsenmilz vorhandenen venösen Sinus (Abb. 10,US) stehen nur selten untereinander in Verbindung. Ihr Anteil an der Masse des Reticulums ist gering. Ihre Wand entspricht der vonS. Mollier für andere niedere Wirbel angegebenen Bauweise. 9. Die Pulpavenen (Abb. 11,PV) besitzen keine Muskularis. Ihr Bindegewebe ist während ihres weiteren Verlaufes im Inneren der Milz auffallend schwach. Hier werden diese Venen nur durch die Arterien gestützt (Abb. 12, V). Eigentliche Trabekel gibt es nicht.

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Zwei flächengleiche Reizfiguren, Kreis und Kreuz, wurden, nacheinander geboten, auf dem Wege der Futterdressur von keiner Eidechse als Futteranzeiger sicher erlernt. Alle Sukzessivdressuren blieben erfolglos. 2. Dieselben zwei Figuren, nebeneinander geboten, werden schon ohne Dressur spontan voneinander unterschieden. Die natürliche Wahlneigung gilt dem Kreis. Es besteht die folgende spontane Rangordnung fallender Beliebtheit: Kreis, Quadrat, Dreieck, achtzackiger Stern, Kreuz. 3. Simultandressuren glückten immer nur im Sinne der Spontantendenz, konnten also stets nur die natürliche Neigung bekräftigen, die die weniger gegliederte Figur dem stärker gegliederten Partner vorzieht; das gilt selbst für Figurenpaare, die in der Beliebtheitsreihe nächstbenachbart sind. 4. Da im Spontanversuch alle einzeln dargebotenen Figuren gleich behandelt wurden, kann unter Mitberücksichtigung von 1., falls nicht doch noch einmal Sukzessivdressur mittels Strafreizen andere Ergebnisse zeitigen sollte, vorerst unter Vorbehalt geschlossen werden, daß Eidechsen Formbilder „absolut“ nicht in der Erinnerung festhalten können. Nur im Nebeneinander wählen sie, und zwar „relativ“. 5. Die Unterscheidungen waren unabhängig von der Raumlage der Figuren, von ihrer Größe nur oberhalb 1 qcm Fläche. 6. Die Formunterscheidung von Kreuz und Quadrat hält einer weitgehenden Angleichung der einen Figur an die andere stand. So kann ein einfacher Balken das Kreuz dem flächengleichen Quadrat gegenüber vertreten, wenn er gut doppelt so lang ist, wie die Seite des flächengleichen Quadrats. Das Quadrat, dem man an drei Ecken je ein Teilquadrat ausgeschnitten hat, so daß nur noch das vierte stehengebliebene es vom Kreuz unterscheidet, wird immer noch einwandfrei vor dem Kreuze bevorzugt; dabei beißt die Eidechse vorzugsweise in dies allein stehengebliebene Teilquadrat. 7. Am überlebenden Augapfel der Zauneidechse wurde der Abstand des Knotenpunkts von der Netzhaut mit 2,1 mm bestimmt. 8. Die histologische Netzhautuntersuchung bestätigte Cajals Angaben: Es fehlen Stäbchen; die Zapfen sind meist „gerade“, seltener „schräg“. Es gibt „versprengte Bipolaren“ sowie eine Area im Eidechsenauge. 9. Das Zahlenverhältnis Zapfen: versprengte Bipolaren: innere Körner: Ganglienzellen beträgt 3∶1∶16∶2. 10. Aus Schnittuntersuchungen unter Berücksichtigung der Schrumpfung und Beobachtungen an der überlebenden Netzhaut selbst ergaben sich übereinstimmend folgende Werte: die Zapfen sind am breitesten in der Peripherie (7,4 μ) und werden zur Area hin immer schmäler. Etwa 2 mm auswärts von der Area sind sie im Mittel 3,7 μ, in der Area selbst im Mittel 1,9 μ breit. 11. Der morphologische Sehwinkel beträgt demnach für Lacerta agilis peripher 12′ 7″, nahe der Area im Mittel 6′, in der Area 3′ 6″. 12. Der „physiologische Sehwinkel“ wurde bestimmt: a) aus der kritischen Entfernung für das Erkennen des Kreuzes zu 29′ 6″; b) für natürliche Beuteobjekte zu 14′ 38″, aus den optomotorischen Reaktionen bei Verwendung c) von Gleichzäunen (minimum separabile) zu 11′ 28″; d) von Weitzäunen (minimum visibile) zu 1′ 19″. 13. Das minimum visibile und separabile sind beide übereinstimmend abhängig von der Beleuchtungsstärke; an beiden gemessen nimmt die Sehschärfe mit fallender Beleuchtung ab. Die Kurven der Abhängigkeit der Sehschärfe von der Beleuchtung lassen den sonst für Wirbeltieraugen kennzeichnenden Knick vermissen, der dem Eintritt des Zapfenapparates bei Überschreiten der Farbschwelle entspricht. Dazu stimmt gut das morphologische Fehlen der Stäbchen in der Eidechsennetzhaut (vgl. 8.).

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The author describes how he discovered that his Lacerta viridis showed reproductive behavior one week after he increased the time of illumi- nation . His animals are kept in a simple terrarium with a 150 W spotlight as the only source of heat and light. Food consists of insects and worms, but mainly mealworms. Calcium is always present in the form of crumbled coral and eggshells. Vitamin AD3 is supplied daily in the drinking- water (10 drops/100 ml ). Succesive increases in daylength (50%) with 4 week intervals, resulted always in mating be- havior within a week. Thus it proved to be possib le for a Lacerta viridis fema le to develop two clutches of eggs at a time. Once laid, the eggs were dug up, washed and put in an incubator at 29° C. In a!>

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Tbe author describes his discovery that his Lacer- la viridis showed reproductive behaviour one week after he increased the time of ilIumination. His animals are kept in a simpte terrarium with a 150 W spotlight as the only heat source and ligh- ting. Food consists of insects and worms, but mainly mealworms. Calcium is always present in the form of crumbled coral and eggs heUs. Vita- min AD3 is supplied daily in the drinking water (10 drops/lOO mi). Succesive increases in daylength (50070) with four week intervals, always resulted in mating behavi- our within a week. It proved to be possible for a Lacerla viridis female to develop two clutches of eggs at a time. Once laid, the eggs were dug up by the author, washed and put in an incubator at 29° C. In about 50 days the young hatch, in L. viridis both sexes are equally represented, but Podarcis pityusensis shows a large surplus o f females at this incubation temperature. The author gives some remarks about biorhythms and hormonal changes and describes how he gives his lizards an eight week hibernation at 6° C du- ring his holiday. Six clutches a year are presumed possible per fe- male without damage 10 the lizards.

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The habitat of one population of green lizards (Lacerta viridis) in Brandenburg (northeastern Germany) was partly damaged by fire in 1993. Recolonisation of the burnt area between 1994 and 1998 is documented in this paper. Recolonisation took place only through young animals, which are immigrating from adjacent undamaged areas. Recolonisation is delayed if there is a lack of those young animals due to hatching failure. Only few youngs hatched within the burnt area before the fourth year after fire (1997). From 1997 onwards, population density and adult sex ratio corresponded with the figures known from other parts of that particular habitat. The mean age of the animals in the damaged area is significantly lower than in other parts of the habitat. As the reproductive investment is comparatively low in younger animals, the importance of undamaged neighbouring areas will remain for considerable time, exceeding five years after fire (1998).

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Incubation temperatures are influencing lenght of incubation as well as `quality` of the emerging hatchling. Body length, weight and status were investigated in an field population of Lacerta viridis in Brandenburg (Northeastern Germany). Hatchlings were found to be smaller, lighter, paler and less agile after cold summers than after warm summers.

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Growth patterns were studied in a 5-year study in three relict populations ofLacerta viridis in north-eastern Germany. Measured snout-vent lengths were adjusted to the logistic growth curve step by step for each age class separately. Growth curves were computed for each population, discriminating between both sexes. Significant increments were found for years 1-3 in popula- tion 1, for years 1-4 in population 3 but only for years 1-2 in population 2. The exact date of maximum growth is shifting towards the end of the season in higher ages. Significant differ- ences were only found concerning individuals from population 1 in their first activity season. These are reaching maximum growth speed about two weeks later than individuals from other populations. Only in population 2 and only in the first year of activity a higher growth of females had to be considered as significant. Differences of growth patterns in and between pop- ulations are the result of adaptation to varying ecological conditions. In this context food sup- ply, microclimate, length of activity season, parasite load, injuries and social status of the indi- vidual have to be mentioned. As of weather conditions and habitat structure many of the men- tioned factors show high variation. Additionally interpretation of SVL data becomes very prob- lematic, if no basic knowledge of life history parameters exists. Therefore final statements about the nature of influencing factors and their interference require more common garden, replacement and/or breeding experiments. The differences should make every field herpetologists suspicious in assigning individualsto a certain age class by their SVL only.

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A new method to recognize individual lizards, based on the analysis of head shield pattern variation, is described. The method allows to discriminate more than 100 individual green lizards in captive breeding experiments and is sucessful also in field studies. It enables to recognize an individual over the whole of its lifespan from hatchling onwards.

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Serum proteins of Lacerta v. viridis, L. v. meridionalis, L. trilineata, L. agilis, L. vivipara, L. taurica, L. muralis, Ophisaurus apodus, and Anguis fragilis were separated by polyacrylamidae disc electrophoresis. Among the lacertids, Lacerta viridis and Lacerta trilineata show greater similarities. Ophisaurus apodus and Anguis fragilis are characterized by praealbumins.

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A specially optimized restriction analysis of highly repetitive DNA elements, called DNA taxonprint, was applied for phylogenetic study of primates and lizards. It was shown that electrophoretic bands of DNA repeats revealed by the taxonprint technique have valuable properties for molecular systematics. Approximately half of taxonprint bands (TB) are invariable and do not disappear from the genomes during evolution or change spontaneously. Presumably these invariable bands are restriction fragments of dispersed DNA repeats. Another group represents variable taxonprint bands that differ even between closely related species. These variable bands are probably represented by tandem DNA repeats and could be used as species-specific markers. It was shown that taxonprint bands are independent characters since the appearance of a new taxonprint band does not change the previous band pattern. Phylogenetic reconstruction carried out on taxonprint data demonstrated that this approach could be of general utility for molecular systematics and species identification.

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A starting point for this work was the intention of making a comparison between the present herpeto-faunistic situation in a precise piace, «Valle di Nom> in the west of Trentino, and that of the last century, as outlined in the works of Edoardo De Betta (1822-1896), the illustrious naturalist from the same piace. The data collected after three years of field research, bibliographic verification, inspection of public and private herpetological collections and interviews with local people and environmental operators, reveal that substantial changes have taken place since the research of Edoardo De Betta. The number of the present species is reduced -15 species remain out of the 21 mentioned in the past (DE BETTA, 1852, 1857, 1885) - and the condition of the various populations appears to be seriously compromised. This situation is likely to be connected to the numerous environmental changes happened in this Valley: forest and pasture situated on tablelands and geologica! terraces and large natural moist zones in the last century; extended zones used for fruit-growing (apple-trees) up to a height of 1000 m, reclamation of land and direct contro! of the irrigation network today.

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A population of Lacerta viridis at a locality in Tiché údolí not far from the Prague district of Suchdol was chosen for a study of its ecology, ethology and variability. The lizards inhabit a south facing slope and two abandoned quarries with an area of approx. 5 ha. The estimated population at the locality was between 40 to 60 individuals of which 30 – 35 were adults. Each year the number fluctuated considerably with regards to the changeable proportion of juveniles depending on the reproductive success. Likewise the population’s age structure fluctuated considerably depending on the reproductive success, where the ratio of individuals older than 2 years : under 2 years was roughly 1 : 1 following successful reproduction and 1 : 0.34 in favour of the older individuals following unsuccessful reproduction. The sex ratio in adults was around 1.22 : 1 in favour of the males. Population density was around 11 (6 – 7 adults) individuals per hectare. If the unused areas are removed then it was around 22 (12 – 14 adults) per hectare. During the reproductive period, the lizards aggregated markedly at certain sites in the locality. Adult males with their original tail achieved overall body lengths of 286.0 (323.6) 353.0 mm and weights of 23.5 (38.9) 53.0 g. Adult females with their original tail achieved overall body lengths of 257.0 (291.8) 327.0 mm and a weight of 18.5 (28.2) 37.0 g. For adult males the tail was 1.94 to 2.29 times longer than the body, for females it was 1.86 to 2.47 times longer. Adult males had considerably longer and wider heads in relation to body length and a far longer parietal scale in relation to the length and width of the head than the females. In contrast, adult females had a considerably larger relative spacing of the limbs and a considerably longer frontal scale in relation to the parietal scale than the adult males. Moreover adult males were found to have higher maximum and average numbers of femoral pores and a broader tail base than females. Individuals from the population showed great individuality in numbers and the arrangement of the scales on the dorsal side of the head. The normal arrangement and number of all of these scales was only found in 4 out of the 35 individuals captured, very often various shields were separated from the parts by a deep groove. 9 to 13 cervical collar scales were recorded. In essence, the colouring of the adult males was uniform – the body and legs were distinctly green with a number of small dark spots, the sides often had a yellow tinge, the abdomen was yellowish-green to clearly yellow, often with dark speckling. The tail was most often the same colour as the body, the head was dark on top with distinct light speckling. The throat, lower jaw and the lateral parts of the head were light blue to greenish-blue, during reproduction, however, this colouring gained in intensity. The throat colouring always ended abruptly at the cervical collar. In contrast the colouration of adult females varied considerably for each individual and can be divided up into several colour types ranging from a colouration that is more or less the same as that of the adult males, including the blue throat in one case, to variants with a dark dorsal stripe, varying sizes of speckling that always increased in density in the caudal direction to a variant that had uniform brown-green marbling. The tail and the rear legs were, on the whole, dark, the dorsal side of the head was olive green with a dark design, only rarely did it have lighter patches, the throat was most often white, the abdomen greyish-white without patches. After hatching the young were monochromatically grey-brown with a row of white spots on the sides of the body, with a creamy white throat and abdomen. The males acquired the characteristic adult colouration before the 2nd hibernation, the females over the next year in three various manners. For all individuals the brown colouring intensified during growth and dark patches appeared followed by light lines on the sides of the body. Gradual greening then began either from the dorsal side of the body, thus in the interphase an individual had a green back and brown hips or, conversely on the sides of the body, thus in the interphase the individual had a brown back and green sides. The last possibility was a gradual breakdown of the brown colouring, it being replaced by green on the entire body, thus the individual had brown-green marbling in the interphase. 62 % of the adult males from the locality had a tail in varying stages of regeneration. For adult females and juveniles this percentage was much lower, that being 18 % for adult females and 6 % for juveniles. The length of the regenerated tail is demonstrably less than that of the original tail. During regeneration there were changes in both its structure and its colouring. An increased incidence of other injuries was recorded in adult males. These included missing parts of the digits, various scars on the body and very frequent abrasions on the head. From the moment the adult females took part in their first mating there was a clear deformation of the scales in the area above the rear limbs caused by the males during copulation. The winter shelters were abandoned at the start of March to mid April depending on the temperature and weather, i.e. during sunny weather and at temperatures above 9 °C. With a gradual warming the adult males were the first to leave the shelter followed shortly afterwards by the sub-adult individuals with nearly a month’s interval before the adult females left. During a sudden warming, individuals of both sexes appeared in all age groups almost simultaneously. Winter shelters were sought and the start of hibernation began when the temperature fell below approx. 16 °C either in the second half of September or up to the first half of October. The young were active by up to 20 days longer than the adults and sub-adults. Within the entire population, hibernation took place en masse in two sites of the locality. The first male ecdysis was the signal to start mating (female ecdysis did not play any role). During favourable weather some of the females in the population mated immediately after laying the first clutch of eggs. The first mating took place during May, during unfavourable weather it was extended to the first half of June, the second mating was during June. In favourable weather mating lasted roughly a week, in unfavourable conditions (rain, cold) it was prolonged to roughly a month. After 19 to 41 days of pregnancy the eggs were laid – in June to the start of July for the first clutch, during July for the second clutch. Incubation ranged from 69 to 86 days. Hatching took place from September to the start of October. The young from the second clutch were first observed on the surface after the hibernation period. After a wet and cold year none of the young survived. The course of the annual cycle, starting with leaving the winter shelters and the first adult male ecdysis followed by the mating season, egg laying and ending with seeking winter shelters is exceptionally synchronised in the population under study. At the start and end of the period of activity the lizards were active during the day roughly from noon to 5 p.m., for the rest of the period of activity from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at temperatures above 17°C activity was extended to beyond 8 p.m. At the start of the period of activity (April and May) juveniles left the night shelter about 1 – 1.5 hours before the adults and sub-adults. The optimum temperatures at which the largest number of active individuals was found on the surface during sunny weather ranged from 19 °C to 24 °C. On sunny days with temperatures above 28°C the lizards sought shelter or kept to the shadows in the vegetation. The lowest temperature at which an individual was found to be active was 9 °C during sunny weather and 13 °C when overcast. On days that did not have a maximum temperature of 25 °C, activity was unimodal, peaking between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at temperatures above 25 °C it was bimodal with a fall in activity roughly between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Pregnant females were even active under conditions in which the other individuals did not leave the shelter (in an extreme case at 13 °C with light rain), however, on average, they sought night shelter sooner. During the period of activity the majority of the adults and all of the juvenile individuals dispersed to more or less permanent individual home ranges. A minority of the adult males and all of the sub-adults did not have permanent ranges and lived an itinerant life during the period of activity. The size of the home ranges varied considerably per individual and fluctuated markedly depending on the part of the period of activity the individual was in. In 1995 its range was 5 m2 (62.9 m2) 225 m2 for adult males and 18 m2 (60.0 m2) 186 m2 for adult females, in 1996, when the weather was exceptionally bad, its range was 37 m2 (489.4 m2) 2023 m2 for adult males and 13 m2 (80,3 m2) 313 m2 for adult females. The adult males used the largest home ranges, that being in the period preceding the first mating and the first mating period, especially those that did not manage to obtain a female. The smallest home ranges were recorded for females during pregnancy and males during female pregnancy. It was common for the lizards’ home ranges to overlap, both those of adult males and females. For the large majority of the individuals there was at least one change to the home range during the period of activity, after the mating period the majority of adult males switched to an itinerant lifestyle. After hibernation the lizards had a tendency to occupy the same home range as in the previous year. Within an inhabited home range and outside of it the lizards moved in the proximity of potential shelters, surfaces with no place to hide, such as stony areas and various areas with no vegetation, were consistently avoided. The area of the home range was not used equally. Crannies between stones and tree roots were used as permanent shelters, as were the spaces under large stones or, if needs be, rodent burrows. Various dense, often thorny, bushes were used occasionally. The lizards often clambered up various trees and bushes. During the mating period the lizards formed permanent pairs sharing their home ranges for this period. Over the course of roughly a week they copulated several times over. In this period the males defended their territory very ardently, sometimes forming displays on their borders and any source of acoustic stimuli was thoroughly checked. Those males that had not formed a permanent couple either inhabited a very large home range that often distinctly overlapped with the home ranges of several other males (or pairs) or they wandered over the entire locality. Both these “kinds” of males constantly tested the readiness of those males living with a female and sometimes they managed to mate with a female. The largest number of conflicts occurred between the males during the mating period. During inclement weather the lizards were not able to form permanent pairs and on occasion the females clearly mated with a greater number of males. Copulation was always preceded by complicated precopulatory behaviour that lasted up to 2.5 hours and involved characteristic elements such as sunbathing together, pursuing the female, mounting the female, sniffng the female on the nape of the neck and in the hip area and even biting the female on the tail, body and nape. The female often dragged the male several tens of centimetres as he bit into her tail. A very characteristic female display is circling with one limb or both front limbs asynchronously. This behaviour was even observed in males during averse behaviour by the female. Acoustic displays by the males were also observed (hissing). During copulation, which lasted several seconds up to a minute, the males grasped the females in the area above the hind legs either from above, as with pincers, more often from the side across the back and abdomen. After the mating period ended the majority of males left the pair, however with a second mating they always returned to the same female. Adult males were very intolerant of one another and during the reproductive period, there were many conflicts between them. The vast majority of these are characterised by a rapid lunge followed by a short chase without any real physical contact. In those cases where the individual under attack did not flee, there was an intense flght,which was preceded by brief displays characterised by inflating the throat, lateral flattening of the body, raising up on the front limbs, bowing the head, whipping movements of the tail and swift circling of the limbs. During these displays the males turned their sides to one another and circled one another. A characteristic trait of the actual flight was grabbing the opponent by the head followed by pushing one another around for various time periods. The flight always ended in a brief chase. No displays of aggression were observed between the females or the young nor was there any aggression to the slow-worms and sand lizards that lived in the locality. Upon hatching the young were 83 mm – 85 mm in total length and weighed around 1 g. After 12 months of growth (without the hibernation period), i.e. aged about 21 months the lengths of these individuals (324 mm for males, 291 mm for females) approached the average values for adults, whilst the heaviest of them (17 g) achieved only 44 % (males) or 59 % (females) of the average adult weight. The lizards first reproduced after the third hibernation, i.e. in their third year. During the first 12 months of postnatal development of the young (without the hibernation period) a positive allometric tail growth was found compared to body length growth, there was negative allometric growth in the length of the head compared to the body length and negative allometric growth in head width compared to the growth in body length. The lizards reacted to the threat of danger in several various ways. The most common was flight that being either directly to a shelter or often just hiding in the vegetation. During their flight the lizards often stopped, a characteristic behaviour was to turn sharply after stopping. Some of the individuals relied on their camouflage colouring and remained motionless on the spot – this behaviour was relatively characteristic for pregnant females. During a direct threat, the lizards defended themselves by biting, which was preceded by a threatening behaviour with open jaws accompanied by relatively loud hissing. During a confrontation with a smooth snake the characteristic reaction was a lightning fast escape from its reach, for one individual this was preceded by a relatively high jump. The lizards spent the majority of the day sunning themselves, often in the same places. In the vast majority of cases, they sunbathed at a distance of less than 50 cm from a potential shelter. The females were more often found further from a shelter than the males as they are less noticeable due to their cryptic colouring. Juveniles were observed sunbathing with their front and hind limbs raised above the ground. The time the lizards spent looking after their body covering was negligible, the dominant part was behaviour associated with ecdysis, then cleaning the parts around the jaws and the nostrils using the tongue or rubbing against the ground or vegetation (always after devouring its prey) and scratching using the rear limbs. Over the active period there were three ecdyses in adults. The ecdysis took three to four days and was a wholly passive affair on the part of the lizards. The dominant component of the lizards’ diet in spring was spiders, millipedes, pill-bugs, worms and larvae or cocoons from various insect species, in the summer and autumn they ate grasshoppers and locusts. Throughout the year they hunted various beetles, crane flies, bee-flies, flesh-flies and on rare occasions even aposematic coloured prey such as wasps and bugs from the genus Pyrrhocoris. Two basic means of acquiring food were observed; those being active searching and the sit & wait strategies. The first of these was, to a great extent, only observed in a short period after leaving the winter shelter, for the rest of the active period the sit & wait strategy clearly dominated. Comparing the data obtained from the study with that of the literature, it emerges that:- The lizards in the population under study clearly had smaller dimensions than those discovered by other authors in other parts of the extended area.- The number of scales on the cervical collar and femoral pores were in the range presented by other authors. In contrast to some Czech authors, the observed number and arrangement of scales on the dorsal side of the head had a far greater variability.- The colouring of the adults in the observed population was in the range of variability presented in the literature. The colouring of newborn young corresponded to the species Lacerta viridis. The changes in colouring during the postnatal development of the young are in agreement with the literature. In addition, a variant was found in which the brown colouring gradually breaks down to be replaced by green on the entire body.- The observed weights and sizes of the young upon hatching are in agreement with the data in the literature. The data on the growth of the young is closest to the results obtained in a study of a population in the nearby city of Brest.- The data on attaining sexual maturity agrees with the results obtained from the Ukrainian Carpathians and from a locality in Brest and differs from the data of certain Czech authors.- The phenological data obtained is considerably close to the results obtained in a population from southern France, from the area above Odessa, the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Rhineland, in contrast it differs relatively markedly from data published from the Czech Republic. As concerns the lizards’ relationship to temperatures, these results are closest to the data from the Rhineland and differ quite markedly from that of Czech authors.- In contrast to the majority of authors, it was found that the females laid two clutches a year, which was only observed by authors studying a population in France.- Compared to Czech authors the observed period of pregnancy was markedly shorter. However the results are almost identical with data obtained from the Rhineland and French populations.- The incubation period was in the range given by the majority of authors.- Overall, the observed daily activity agreed with the published data. In relation to temperatures the results were closest to those from the Rhineland, compared to the other authors, however, the population under study is distinctly more cryophilic. - The observed sex ratio is close to the results from France and the Rhineland, however, it differs from some of the data in the Czech Republic (e.g. Krivoklátsko).- The data obtained on the age structure and its fluctuation in relation to the weather agrees with the data in the literature.- The observed sizes of the home ranges cannot be compared to the cited authors because, for instance, their work does not include the marked fluctuation in the size of the home ranges over the course of the period of activity that was observed in this population.- In principle, the observed data on reproductive behaviour agrees with the published data. Moreover, certain aspects were found that were not looked into by the given authors.

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Using radiological methods, Prakash has recently investigated the mode of action of the heart of the lizard Uromastix hardwicki and has concluded that there is very considerable mixture of the blood from the two auricles in the partially divided ventricle.

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The authors report on the observation on an unusual ventral side sunbasking behaviour of a juvenile Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis meridionalis) in Bulgaria and ducument this with photos. In the relevant lacertid literature no evidence was found for this behaviour. Also lacertid professionals haven’t observed such esposure to the sun or haven’t further registered.

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The present paper contains the results of a 7 year faunistical study upon the amphibian and reptile species from the Bistriţa river basin. We recorded 14 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Mesotriton alpestris, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Pelophylax ridibundus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Pelobates fuscus), 3 types of hybrids between amphibians (L. vulgaris X L. montandoni, Pelophylax kl. esculentus and B. bombina X B. variegata) and 10 species of reptiles (Anguis fragilis, Podarcis muralis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Emys orbicularis, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Zamenis longissimus, Vipera berus).

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Our study focused upon an area in which the herpetofauna had previously been very poorly studiedWe have managed to identify 12 species of amphibians (Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina bombinaBombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Pelobatefuscus) and 4 reptile species (Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Anguis fragilis and Natrix natrix) in the 16 investigatedlocalities. Nine of these species have been cited now for the first time in the area. W have also identified hybridbetween B. bombina and B. variegata at 420 m ASL, this altitude is the superior limit of hybrids between Bombinspecies in Romania.

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Identifying areas in which protected and threatened species occur represents the first step in establishing a proper management plan. The aim of the present paper is to present our preliminary observations on the herpetofauna and its habitats from the Northern Go¬mani Mountains together with arguments in favor of urgently designating it an oficial and legal strictly protected area. In the target area we have identified 12 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Mesotriton alpestris, Bombina variegate, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax kl. esculentus) and 6 species of reptiles (Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix and Vipera berus). Since all these species are protected by the national and European legislation, we strongly recommend that the are be urgently protected.

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In the researched area we identified 12 amphibian species: Salamandra salamndra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Mesotriton alpestris, Lissotriton montandoni, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria and 9 reptile species: Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, Zamenis longissimus, Coronella austriaca and Vipera berus. Within the region we identified species quoted (Cogalniceanu et al. 2000, Ghiurca et al. 2005, Gherghel et al. 2008, Iftime et al. 2008) to have the lowest altitudinal limit of their spreading area at much higher altitudes. Most of the amphibian and reptilian species are not endangered in the researched area.

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In the researched area we identified 14 amphibian species: (Salamandra salamndra, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus alpestris, Triturus montandoni, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria) and 8 reptilian species (Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, Elaphe longissima, Coronella austriaca, Vipera berus). Within the region we identified species quoted (Cog_lniceanu et al 2000) to have the lowest altitudinal limit of their spreading area at much higher altitudes. The species Triturus montandoni was identified at 320 m altitude at Agârcia and Doamna. Most of the amphibian and reptilian species are not endangered in the researched area.

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Amphibians and reptiles of the Parco Regionale dei Colli di Bergamo. -- This article considers the herpetofauna of the Parco Regionale dei Colli di Bergamo that is composed of ten species of Amphibians and nine of Reptiles. The species are those one would expect to find in a similar landscape. Among these is relevant to mention Bombina variegata, now rare in Lombardy, and Rana latastei. The Author analyzes the corological categories noting a certain predominance of the European species (68%) on the Eurocentroasiatic (22%) and the Italic (10%) ones. The study of the microcommunitiesm has evidenced three fundamental models: the m. of the submediterranean wood (with prevalence of Reptiles), the m. of the umid environments (with prevalence of Amphibians) and the m. of the damp woods (with the typical species Salamandra salamandra).

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During fieldwork excursions on June and September 2015 we obtained new distributional records for three lizard species. Here, we present the first record of Darevskia rudis tristis and Lacerta viridis meridionalis from Turkey’s Ankara province and confirm the occurrence of Anguis fragilis in this locality.

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Partial DNA sequences from three mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (-fibrinogen intron 7 and C-mos) genes were used to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among all eight extant species of green lizards, Lacerta sensu stricto, and many currently recognized subspecies. All eight species form a monophyletic group. L. agilis, L. schreiberi and L. strigata are genetically well differentiated species. L. trilineata and L. pamphylica are not monophyletic units based on analyses of the -fibrinogen intron 7. Lacerta media is closely related to some Lacerta trilineata. L. bilineata and L. viridis are closely related, and recognition of L. bilineata as a distinct species makes L. viridis paraphyletic also. For both L. bilineata and L. viridis, some subspecies appear to remain in their southern glacial refugia, while a single genetic entity shows successfully postglacial expansion. The topology derived from C-mos variation is concordant with that derived from mtDNA, with substitutions occurring at a similar rate to that of transversions in the rRNA genes. Although C-mos is typically used at deeper taxonomic levels it is also phylogenetically informative within green lizards. -fibrinogen intron 7, typically used for assessing phylogenetic relationships among bird species, is a useful phylogenetic marker for reptiles also, showing considerable variation between species. There is not complete concordance between estimates of relationships derived from the mtDNA and nuclear markers, probably because rapid diversification led to incomplete lineage sorting in the green lizards. Introgression could also be occuring between some species.

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The degeneration resulting from lesions in dorsal spinal root fibres and in ascending tracts of the spinal cord in Lacerta viridis has been studied, using the Holmes silver impregnation method and a modified Nauta technique. The nature and criteria of degeneration as revealed by these methods are reviewed. Some features of the normal dorsal roots and spinal cord are described. Severance of three adjacent dorsal roots at the levels of the limb plexuses produced ipsilateral degeneration in dorsal column fibres ascending to the dorsal part of the medulla in fasciculi corresponding closely with the cuneate (forelimb) and gracile (hindlimb) fasciculi of mammals. Intraspinal connexions in the ventral horns and in the roots of the dorsal horns were also demonstrated. Hemisections of the cord resulted in additional degeneration in the superficial part of the lateral column. This could be traced to the cerebellum and, less certainly, to the midbrain. Numerous collaterals were given off to the reticular formation in the medulla. It is concluded that the arrangement of dorsal spinal root connexions and of ascending tracts in the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord is very similar to that found in mammals. No evidence for the presence of long ascending tracts in the anterior columns of the spinal cord was found.

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Infestation by ticks affects several vertebrate groups, including reptiles. Castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread tick species. Here we report an impressive tick infestation of a male green lizard Lacerta viridis/bilineata found in 2012 in the vicinity of Bilpa cave in the Kolpa valley, Slovenia. Lizards as tick hosts can play an important role in the life cycle of I. ricinus and may also be potential vectors of Lyme disease

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High-speed cinematography (100 framesls) was used to allow quantitative analysis of the kinematic profiles of tongue and jaw displacements during chemosensory activities in the scleroglossan lizard Lacerta viridis. The types of tongue flicking were simple downward extensions (SDE), single oscillations (SOC), and submultiple oscillations (SMOC) of the tongue out of the mouth. The SMOC type involves a downward or upward movement of the tongue performed before a typical oscillation and it is therefore suggested that this is an intermediate category of flick between the typical SOC and MOC of lizards. Closing and opening of the mouth in SDE, SOC, and SMOC cycles may or may not be separated by a stationary stage during which the jaws are held open at a constant gape. The duration of this stationary interval increases from SDE to SMOC. Gape cycles do not show any division into slow and fast stages. The gape is produced largely by depression of the lower jaw; the upper jaw is slightly elevated by protrusion of the tongue. Patterns of correlation of kinematic variables depicting jaw and tongue movements differed between SDE, SOC, and SMOC. A principal component analysis shows that the three flick types overlap in a multivariate space constructed from the kinematic variables depicting jaw and tongue displacements. Overlap between SOC and SMOC categories is greater than that between SOC, SMOC, and SDE categories. The kinematic patterns of tongue displacement during SMOC in Lacerta viridis show similarities with those of MOC in other lizards and in snakes. Kinematically, the pattern of jaw and tongue displacements of Lacerta viridis during chemosensory activities shows similarities with those that occur during drinking and prey capture.

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Karyotype data are presented for 12 species of lacertid lizards. Of these, 4 Acanthodactylus, 2 Eremias, 1 Ophisops, and 4 Lacerta have n = 19, with all chromosomes acrocentric. This is the typical lacertid karyotype, as reported in previous literature. One species, Lacerta parva, is quite different from all the others. The haploid number is 12, consisting of 7 pairs of metacentric macrochromosomes and 5 pairs of microchromosomes. The fundamental number (number of arms in the karyotype) is the same in L. parva as in all the other species studied. The possibility of female sex chromosomal heteromorphism is raised, but data are not sufficient to confirm this.

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Four types of nuclear DNA markers identified by the taxonprint, RAPD, and IMP (Inter-MIR-PCR) methods, and the nucleotide sequences of satellite DNA monomers have been used to analyze the molecular genetic similarity between some populations, subspecies, and species of lizards combined into the group Lacerta s. str., as well as representatives of some other genera. The notions on the systematics and phylogeny of this group based on morphological and zoogeographic criteria have been compared to the conclusions based on molecular genetic data. The genus and species subdivisions of populations based on nuclear molecular markers and morpho- logical characters generally agree with each other, the degree of genetic differences being correlated with the tax- onomy suggested by zoomorphologists. The degree of differences between the subspecies of one of the species studied, Lacerta agilis, varies depending on the molecular markers used: according to the results of RAPD anal- ysis, all subspecies substantially differ from one another, the variation within populations being small; with respect to other markers, the differences are smaller and not equivalent. The existence of the so-called eastern and western clades of this species earlier assumed by other researchers on the basis of mtDNA and morphological data has been confirmed. There are no distinct gradations exceeding individual variation in 14 populations of L. agilis exigua (the eastern clade) with respect to IMP markers, although these populations inhabit a vast area from the Ural Mountains to the Kabardino-Balkar Republic (the Caucasus). These data suggest that the subspecies has been rap- idly spreading northwards since the Pleistocene glaciation (about 15,000 years ago).

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Multiple band patterns of DNA repeats in the 20–500-nucleotide range can be detected by digesting genomic DNA with short—cutting restriction endonucleases, followed by end labeling of the restriction fragments and fractionation in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. We call such band patterns obtained from genomic DNA ‘‘taxonprints’’ (Fedorov et al. 1992). Here we show that taxonprints for the taxonomic groups studied (mammals, reptiles, fish, insects—altogether more than 50 species) have the following properties: (1) All individuals from the same species have identical taxonprints. (2) Taxonprint bands can be subdivided into those specific for a single species and those specific for groups of closely related species, genera, and even families. (3) Each restriction endonuclease produces unique band patterns; thus, five to ten restriction enzymes (about 100 bands) may be sufficient for a statistical treatment of phylogenetic relationships based on polymorphisms of restriction endinuclease sites. We demonstrate that taxonprint analysis allows one to distinguish closely related species and to establish the degree of similarity among species and among genera. These characteristics make to use this phenomenon for phylogenetic aims (Cooke 1975; Christie and Skinner 1979; Brown and Dover 1979, 1980; Elizur et al. 1982; Hembelen et al. 1982; Buckland 1983; Dandieu et al. 1984; Lima de Faria et al. 1984; Shubina and Mednikov 1986; Turner et al. 1991), but this approach has not been extensively applied. In this paper we have reexamined the problem on the basis of our own preliminary results, partly published in Russian journals, confirming the ideas about possible correlations between evolution of DNA repeats and speciation (Fedorov et al. 1992; Grechko et al. 1993; Potapov and Ryskov 1993). We have demonstrated that the modified method designated ‘‘DNA taxonprint’’ (Fedorov et al. 1992) can be effectively used for revealing species—specific genomic markers in different taxonomic groups. These taxonprint markers are found to be helpful for evaluation of the degree of species similarity between species, genera, and families. More than 50 species from different taxa were studied.

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The chemical defence of Heteroptera is primarily based on repellent secretions which signal the potential toxicity of the bug to its predators. We tested the aversive reactions of green lizards (Lacerta viridis) towards the major compounds of the defensive secretion of Graphosoma lineatum, specifically: (i) a mixture of three aldehydes: (E)-hex-2-enal, (E)-oct-2-enal, (E)-dec-2-enal; (ii) a mixture of these three aldehydes and tridecane; (iii) oxoaldehyde: (E)-4-oxohex-2-enal; (iv) secretion extracted from metathoracic scent glands of G. lineatum adults and (v) hexane as a non-polar solvent. All chemicals were presented on a palatable food (Tenebrio molitor larvae). The aversive reactions of the green lizards towards the mealworms were evaluated by observing the approach latencies, attack latencies and approach–attack intervals. The green lizards exhibited a strong aversive reaction to the mixture of three aldehydes. Tridecane reduced the aversive reaction to the aldehyde mixture. Oxoaldehyde caused the weakest, but still significant, aversive reaction. The secretion from whole metathoracic scent glands also clearly had an aversive effect on the green lizards. Moreover, when a living specimen of G. lineatum or Pyrrhocoris apterus (another aposematic red-and-black prey) was presented to the green lizards before the trials with the aldehyde mixture, the aversive effect of the mixture was enhanced. In conclusion, the mixture of three aldehydes had the strong aversive effect and could signal the potential toxicity of G. lineatum to the green lizards.

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The attempt is made to define the distributional patterns of the reptiles in Carinthia (Austria) by selected parameters of climat and vegetation.

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Due to its species richness, Kresna Gorge is relatively well investigated in herpetological aspect. However, almost all of the researchers concentrate their efforts in the well-known biodiversity hot spots situated in the middle and the southern parts of the area, thus leaving the northern parts almost unexplored. Most of the locations of the researched species presented in this work are newly identi ed, since the areas of investigation remained out of the scope of the majority of scientists. In addition the research presents some of the conservation measures in the area, taken by the non-governmental organization Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (FWFF), which directly affected the prosperity of the researched species populations. The identi ed nature conservation bene ts and possible fails of these measures were evaluated.

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Sexual size dimorphism or SSD is widespread among many species of reptiles. The present research aims to analyze and compare the SSD in two lacertid lizards in Bulgaria – the Green lizard (Lacerta viridis) and the lowland subspecies of the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis chersonensis). Ten experimental territories were selected in Sofi a and Plovdiv plains and neighboring areas. A total of 68 sand lizards and 65 green lizards were analyzed. For every individual were measured or counted 8 metric traits (transformed in to 12 indexes) and 12 meristic traits. Data scores were analyzed by mean of uni- and multivariate statistical technique. Investigating the meristic traits, we found statistically signifi cant differences only in the number of horizontal lines of ventral shields between sexes in both species. Concerning the metric traits and indexes, we found statistically signifi cant tendencies for larger absolute and relative head size in male sand lizards in comparison with females. In green lizard we stated similar signifi cant tendency for larger head size and larger absolute and relative size of legs in male individuals. The presented results could be explained with the different roles of the sexes of those two species. SSD is more prominent in green lizard in comparison with sand lizard. In conclusion all that factors lead to bigger morphological differences between sexes in green lizards.

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In diesem Naturführer werden auf über 100 Farbfotos alle mitteleuroipäischen Arten und darüber hinaus auch süd- und osteuropäische vorgestellt: Frösche, Kröten, Molche und Salamander, Schildkröten, Echsen und Schlangen. Fachkundige Texte informirern über Kennzeichen, Vorkommrn, Verhalten, Fortpflanzung, Ernährung und Besonderheiten. Der bewährte Kosmos-Farbcode teilt die Amphibien und Reptilien nach ihrer Verwandtschaft in 5 Gruppen ein und erleichtert so die Bestimmung. Die praktischen Klappen bieten interessante Zusatzinformationen über Froschlurchentwicklung, Laichformen und anatomischen Besonderheiten bei Reptilien.

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Six species belonging to the genus Lacerta live in Türkiye. In this study, both present and future potential distribution maps were created based on occurrence data and climatic variables for these six species. Two scenarios for future projections (shared socioeconomic pathways, SSPs,: 245 and 585) and two timeframes (2041–2060 and 2081–2100) were used. The present and future potential distributions of these species were compared. As a result, it was predicted that the distribution ranges in the six species will expand in the future, and this expansion has revealed new environments.

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Diversity of amphibians and reptiles, as well as threat factors were investigated during last decade in the wide area of the Vrmac hill. Field methodology included active searching and visual observation of species along defined transects. In total, 29 species were recorded, what comprises about 54% of amphibian and reptile fauna known for Montenegro. Main threat factors for amphibians and reptiles in the area of Vrmac hill are: urbanization, habitat fragmentation and destruction, fires, illegal landfills, waste waters, direct killing by locals and road killing.

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Diversity of reptile fauna, as well as threat factors were investigated during April and May 2019 in the settlement Mareza. Field methodology included active searching and visual observation of species along defined transects. In total, 20 reptile species were recorded, what comprises about 55 % of reptile fauna known for Montenegro. According to obtained results, area of Mareza can be considered as important reptile diversity hotspot in Montenegro. First finding of Xerotyphlops vermicularis in this area contribute to knowledge of its distribution range. Three identified species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni and Elaphe quatuorli neata) are listed on Annex II of the Habitat Directive. None of identified species are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, upon the IUCN Red List. Almost all identified species are protected on national level. Main threat factors for reptile fauna in the area of Mareza are: urbanization, habitat fragmentation and destruction, fires, illegal landfills, direct killing by locals and road killing.

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This paper presents an updated checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Montenegro. The checklist contains 52 species (including two species complexes), compiled from published literature and personal field surveys. Species complexes are the Anguis fragilis complex and the Lacerta viridis complex. Trachemys scripta is introduced, while Podarcis siculus is potentially introduced species. Migratory species include three sea turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas and Dermochelys coriacea). Additionally, there are four potentially present species (Proteus anguinus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Tarentola mauritanica and Podarcis tauricus), which presence is doubtful or still not confirmed with certainty in Montenegro. National and international protection as well as conservation status of Amphibians and Reptiles is given.

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In the course of a two years` study, author processed data of 634 individuals of the 3 lizard species (Lacerta taurica, L. agilis and L. viridis) living o n a sandy grassland. The density of the lizard population was 557 individuals per hectare. The migration of the juvenile L. taurica tended towards the surrounding grazed areas. The L. taurica population belongs to mortality type No. I I . The main mortality factor is predation. The covering by vegetation segragetes L. taurica from the other two populations. The consequences regarding habitude of the morphological differences between the 3 species presumably act in the direction of a decrease in interspecific competition between the individuals more than 1-year-old. The lizards represent a biomass of 1725 g/ha at the sampling area. Their annual nutriment consumption is 1.3 g / m ` , 18% of the complete secondary consumption, and 8 % of the primary consumers` production. The lizards play a significant role in the regulation of the Coleoptera, Aranei and Orthoptera populations.

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The first reports of sightings of Lacerta bilineata or Lacerta viridis at the Spitzberg near Tübingen go back to the 19th century. It is only in the last few years that sightings and interest in the bright green lizards have increased. However, the population has hardly been studied, so it is unclear whether it is a population of Lacerta bilineata, Lacerta viridis or even both. The exact distribution area and the population size are also unknown. What is certain, however, is that the occurrence on the Spitzberg is due to one or more exposures and thus represents an allochthonous island population. In the context of this work, the population size could be roughly estimated and the habitat preferences of the species on the northern edge of their range could be clarified. Furthermore, with the help of citizens, the distribution area was limited to the southern slopes of the Spitzberg and the nature reserve Spitzberg-Ödenburg. The investigation of the reptile fauna revealed a potential endangerment of the indigenous sand lizard by the green lizard. By recording the habitat preferences, it was possible to discuss potential dispersal areas, especially near Wurmlingen, Wendelsheim and on the southwest slopes of the Schönbuch. Based on the results, recommendations for measures relating to the population management of the green lizards on the Spitzberg were developed.


Amendment and comments by GUNTRAM DEICHSEL (June 2021):
The results of haplotype determinations were available only after filing in this thesis. All 12 swabs analyzed identify the species as Lacerta bilineata. All sighted juveniles displayed green coloration elements. This matches my own observations, confirming L. bilineata as the species on Spitzberg montain. Hence no objective hints to the other species taken into consideration, namely L. viridis, were found. However, an anecdotal report relates the release of one specimen of this species on Spitzberg mountain.
The comparison of different extrapolation methods with differing results makes the problems of population estimates apparent. For this reason, ULRICH SCHULTE recommends in a written note to myself to confine reports to observation frequencies.
The tick species Ixodes rhizinus is mentioned in chapter 1.1.7 as an expoarasite. The correct spelling is I. ricinus. Strict protection of L. viridis and L. bilineata according to appendix IV oft he FFH guidelines , mentioned in chapter 4.5.1, applies to national occurrences of these species in Germany only.

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During a herpetological field trip in a quarry on the edge of Gyenesdias (western Lake Balaton, Hungary) I observed more than twenty Common Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis muralis) as well as a good dozen of European Green Lizards (Lacerta viridis viridis) within a period of about 45 minutes. The Green lizards had a remarkable low flight distance.

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HABITAT SELECTION OF THE EUROPEAN GREEN LIZARD [Lacerta viridis (LAURENTI, 1768)] IN THE FERTŐMELLÉKI HILLS. The aim of this research was to determine the habitat selection of the European Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis) in the aera of the Fertőmelléki Hills (Northwest Hungary). During the field work 60 lizard individuals` (adult, yearling, hatchling) habitat-texture were quantified also including the hideaways and perching sites. For the lizard survey the line transect method was used. Field data set was evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to test which factor mostly affect the three age groups of lizards and Discriminant Function Analysis (DA) to identify differences in lizard habitat pattern. According to the results, habitat selection of the European Green Lizard is mostly affected by the habitat mosaic structure. Both PCA and DA analyses yielded significant differences in habitat choice between the three age groups studied. The most important proposal for the active protection of this species is the appropriate treatment of edge ecotones.

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We present the first comprehensive DNA barcoding study of German reptiles and amphibians representing likewise the first on the European herpetofauna. A total of 248 barcodes for all native species and subspecies in the country and a few additional taxa were obtained in the framework of the projects ‘Barcoding Fauna Bavarica’ (BFB) and ‘German Barcode of Life’ (GBOL). In contrast to many invertebrate groups, the success rate of the identification of mitochondrial lineages representing species via DNA barcode was almost 100% because no cases of Barcode Index Number (BIN) sharing were detected within German native reptiles and amphibians. However, as expected, a reliable identification of the hybridogenetic species complex in the frog genus Pelophylax was not possible. Deep conspecific lineages resulting in the identification of more than one BIN were found in Lissotriton vulgaris, Natrix natrix and the hybridogenetic Pelophylax complex. A high variety of lineages with different BINs was also found in the barcodes of wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), confirming the existence of many introduced lineages and the frequent occurrence of multiple introductions. Besides the reliable species identification of all life stages and even of tissue remains, our study highlights other potential applications of DNA barcoding concerning German amphibians and reptiles, such as the detection of allochthonous lineages, monitoring of gene flow and also noninvasive sampling via environmental DNA. DNA barcoding based on COI has now proven to be a reliable and efficient tool for studying most amphibians and reptiles as it is already for many other organism groups in zoology.