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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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I visited southern France to search for Timon lepidus for the third time in 1998. Sites visited included (among others) Maussane, Lac du Salagou and the surroundings of this lake, St. Rémy-de-Provence, the surrounding hills of Le petit Crau and Avignon. I did not find Timon lepidus this time, but did see Natrix maura, Malpolon monspessulanus, Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis and many Psammodromus hispanicus. There were not very many amphibians visible because of the hot weather.

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The Ocellated Lizard is the largest Lacerrid. Males can grow up to 65 cm, females to slighdy less. They are brown to green with a pattem of small black dors (forming rosettes in juveniles) and several rows of blue spots on their sides. Males have very large heads, compared to rhe females. The nominate subspecies inhabits the lberian peninsula, sourhem France and northwestem ltaly. In southeastem Spain the subspecies Timon lepidus nevadensis is recognised. The lizards are found in dry, uncultiva- ted areas, preferably near a large stone or piles of stones. The author keeps his animals in outdoors enclosu- res for five months during the summer months. The indoor terraria measure at least 1.25x0.60x0. 65 cm (lxwxh) with a 10-15 cm layer of substrate, consisring o f a mixture o f loam, clay, garden soil and marl grit. The terraria are decarared with pie- ces of marl, branches and stubs, attached to the backside, artificial plants and some dry shrubs of for instanee heather, which the animals use to shed their skin. The terraria are illuminated with fluo- rescent lights, including those which produce UV- B light (for insrance Reptisun 5.0). Hearing is pro- vided by an iocandescent spotlight of 80-1 00 W. Passive ventilation is provided by one ventilation- grid near the bottom, close to the spotlight, in con- junction with another grid at the opposite side, near the top. Photoperiod is varied according to the normal cycles at this latitude. The animals stay insi- de from the end of September until mid-May. The outside enclosures average at 2.0xl.5x0.7 m (lxwxh) and are decorated like the indoor terraria. The pens are covered with plastic-coated wire net- ring, to prevent cats, rats and birds to prey on the animals. This netring is buried in the substrate as well, at a depth of 30 cm, to prevent rhe inhabi- tants ro escape and to keep unwanted burying guests out. The animals are preferentially kept in pairs; other combinations usually result in aggression and pos- sibly death. Other species (even Lacerta viridis) should nor be kept in combination with these ani- mals. Their daily activity can start as early as 9.00 a.m and can last to 11.00 p.m. Ocellared Lizards eat virrually all kinds of inverte- brares, including scorpions and large centipedes. In captivity they will eat all kind of insects, even large beetles. Calcium is ingested by eating marl-grit, water-soluble vitamins A and D3 (Davitamon AD aquosum) are added to the drinking-water, five drops in 50 ml. Riekets used to be a problem, espe- cially with juveniles. But after the animals were given marl-grit and vitamin D3 in the drinking- water, riekets was no Jonger encountered.

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During rhe winter, from the middle of December until the beginning of March, rhe spotlights are rurned off and the animals are visible only part of rhe time, some of them even hibernare. No food is given during this period, only water. After several weeks rnaring starts, during the last years ar rhe end of March, and will go on until rhe beginning of May. When rhe female has ro lay her eggs, she digs a tunnel of up to 30 cm length, with a larger hole at the end. Here she lays her eggs. The clutch rypi- cally consists of 5-24 eggs, although in one year the author found two durehes of 26 and 27 eggs from the same female. The eggs are incubated ar 28 (27-31) oewith moist vermiculite or perlire as sub- strate. lncubation can last between 74 and 100 days, but most often between 80 and 95 days. A table is given of the success-rare during the last eight years. The juveniles are raised in groups, all of the same clutch, and are fed all kind of insects. The receive more vitamins than the adults (5 drops in 10 mi) and marl-grit ad libitum. They are kept warm during the winter. lt is concluded that Ocellated Lizards are easy to keep and breed.

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The genus Timon currently comprises six species and is distributed in Europe, Asia and North Africa. The two European species are Timon nevadensis in south-eastern Spain and Timon lepidus in the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern France (as well as an adjacent small area in Italy). There seems to be some intergrading between those two species. Two subspecies are recognized beside the nominate form Timon lepidus lepidus: Timon lepidus ibericus in north-eastern Iberia and Timon lepidus oteroi on Illa de Sálvora. Molecular research showed recently that five different lineages can be distinguished in Timon lepidus (MIRALDO et al. 2011). The various lineages differ to some extent in colour and pattern. Recently, PEEK (2011, 2017) reported a small-bodied form of T. lepidus from the north side of the Sierra de Gredos. Moreover there are two North African species of this genus, Timon pater and Timon tangitanus. Timon princeps and T. kurdistanicus inhabit regions in Asia, the former is found in Iran and the latter in Turkey, Iran and Iraq.

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Archaeolacerta s. l., in the currently utilized sense results to be a polyphyletic taxon, composed of three monophyletic and phylogenetically well differentiated taxa: a)-Archaeolacerta (s. str.) Mertens, 1921, which includes three species: A. bedriagae, A. oxycephala, and A. mosorensis, distributed by the northern part of the Central Mediterranean (Corsica, Sardinia, and west Balcanic Peninsula). His most related genera seem to be Teira (his adelphotaxon in our study), Apathya, and Omanosaura. b)-Iberolacerta gen. nov., with two subgenera: Iberolacerta s. str. and Pyrenesaura subgen. nov. includes six species: I. monticola, I. cyreni, I. bonnali, I. aranica, I. aurelioi, and I. horvathi. They are distributed by the mountains of Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Central and Eastern Alps and the north of the Dinaric Chains). His adelphotaxon are the Caucasian and Near East species of Darevskia gen. nov. c)-The third taxa is Darevskia gen. nov., which includes the species of the `L.` saxicola complex besides `L.` derjugini, `L.` praticola, and `L.` chlorogaster. They are distributed by Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Near East. Other clear relationships among some taxa of the Eurasian Radiation [= `Eurasische linie` from (Mayer and Benyr, 1994)] have been found: Algyroides seems to be the sister group of the species considered of uncertain phylogenetic relationships belonging to the `L.` danfordi-laevis group and of Podarcis. `L.` brandtii seems to be a very primitive species within the Eurasian Radiation. Omanosaura and Apathya appear as sister taxa. `L.` graeca occupies a very basal position in the sister group of Podarcis and relatives (see above). `L.` andreanskyi is the sister species of the Darevskia nov. and Iberolacerta nov. clade. The assimilation of `L.` andreanskyi to Teira is very problematic. Also the `L.` parva group seems to be related to Timon. Some groups of species like `L.` brandtii, `L.` parva-fraasii and `L.` danfordi-laevis probably merit generic rank, but it is necessary a more deep study before to take a decision.

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The list of amphibians and reptiles living in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur constitutes an inventory of up-to-date knowledge on herpetofauna. It contains 22 amphibian taxons and 41 reptile taxons. It also contains their regional distribution, a list of the relevant national, European, and international protection laws, as well as the conservation status of each species.

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From 10/05/2014 to 05/17/2014 we traveled some selected areas in the south of France together with two terrarium friends. We have already known the lizards that occur in this area from former trips to other countries in southern Europe. Thus, our interest was in the following landscapes, outstanding by their particular circumstances, such as substrate, vegetation, moisture and color. Of course we also wanted to observe and photograph the resident reptiles and amphibians and in particular the „king“ of the Provence – the Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus lepidus).

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Se documenta el proceso de extinción del lagarto ocelado Timon lepidus en la isla de Porquerolles (Provenza, Francia). Las prospecciones realizadas en 2001 y 2002 con el objetivo de volver a encontrar la especie fueron negativas. A partir de esto se infiere que la especie se extinguió en la década de 2000. Las causas de la desaparición de la especie son controvertidas y parecen deberse a una evolución desfavorable de los hábitats y a la depredación que ejerce el faisán vulgar, introducido en los años 1970.

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The ocellated lizard is a typical species of Mediterranean open grounds. Its former and current geographic distribution are studied at national and local scales by means of various sources: inquiries with naturalists, field search, bibliographical and museum search. This analysis shows a decline of the species during the last 150 years, the result being a fragmentation of the distribution area and the loss of at least six continental populations, and of one to two insular populations out of the three historically known. These losses concern not only isolated populations at the edge of the distribution area, but also Mediterranean populations. The destruction and current evolution of the habitats seem to be mostly responsible for this decline, especially open grounds reafforestation due to rural exodus. This thermophilous species doesn’t seem to have taken benefit of the climatic reheating attested during the considered period. The present situation is probably more a consequence of changes in human activities than the result of climatic modifications.

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Dans ce (ravail nous faisons une synthese de quelques données que nous avons obtenu sur la distribution et I`écologie de I`herpétofaune portugaise. Naus faisons aussi référence à la fréquence de capture de ces animaux pendan! les différents mois de I`année et à leur occurrence dans les principales montagnes du pays.

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Recent surveys on the ocellated lizard, Timon lepidus lepidus, populations along the French and Italian border allowed to update the species’ distribution and conservation status. Two populations connecting the two countries were discovered and several pathways between France and Italy are suspected. We also discuss the status of these populations and their conservations issues.

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The diet of Lacerta lepida in the province of León (NW Spain) was studied through the analysis of 286 faecal pellets collected during May-August. Insecta were the numerically most important prey group, and always represented more than 85 % of prey numbers. Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the dominant orders. Other important prey groups were Heteroptera and Arachnida. The number of Orthoptera consumed increased gradually from May to August. With respect to the occurrence frequency of prey in the faecal pellets, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera occurred in more than 75% at all times. The lowest trophic diversity was detected in june-july. Seasonal changes in the diet were noteworthy within short-terms and augmented in the long-term. The average length of the invertebrate prey was within the interval 9-14 mm. In terms of energy content, Vertebrata (43.82%), Coleoptera (15.77%), Orthoptera (14.40%) and Hymenoptera (13.95%) were the principal groups. L. lepida is considered to be an opportunistic feeder, although some prey groups are apparently selected.

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Ecological factors determining the geographic distribution of Timon lepida are poorly known. This work modelled the potential geographic distribution of Timon lepida at two spatial scales: 1. Landscape (Andalucía) 2. Regional (Spain) and analyzed the degree to which this distribution is associated with different predictor variables (e.g. temperature, solar radiation, topography, vegetation etc). The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine the most important predictor variables influencing the spatial distribution of Timon lepida; (2) generate potential geographic distribution maps for this species and (3) compare the predictive powers of environmental variables and hyper temporal NDVI to predict this distribution. Maxent, a presence-only distribution modelling technique was used to model predicted ranges for Timon lepida, using a large dataset of 10*10 km UTM presence only records collected between 1998-2002 period over Europe and a set of biophysical variable of 1*1 km resolution. To test the average behavior of the algorithm, 10 iterative models were produced by dividing all the presence records into 70% for training and 30% for testing. Three sets of model scenarios were generated: (i) models including environmental variables, (ii) models including environmental variables and vegetation and (iii) models including vegetation indices. Model accuracy was measured with binomial tests of omission rates and the area under the curve (AUC). All models were significantly better than random by the binomial test and AUC measure. The AUC score for models built using environmental variables was always higher indicating better discrimination of suitable and unsuitable areas for the species. For the two spatial scales, environmental variables models had a superior predictive ability than vegetation models. These findings did not support our hypothesis. The results indicate that at a landscape level, topographic variables (aspect and slope) are the most important whereas at a regional scale, climatic variables (temperature seasonality, solar radiation, altitude) and hyper temporal NDVI appear to have a significant effect on this distribution pattern. The results of the present study can be an important contribution to a better understanding of the ecological requirements of the species. The conclusions would be more precise if the adequate precise high resolution environmental data is included in the future application and reliable datasets of current conditions are identified to improve results.

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ln der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Herpetofauna von über 50 portugiesischen Gebirgszügen zusammengestellt: für jedes Gebirge der hõchste bisher bekannte Fundort der einzelnen Arten mit Hôhenangabe. Es ist das Ergebnis vierjiähriger Untersuchungen (1976-1980).

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According to their phylogenetic relationships, the subgenera Zootoca, Omanosaura, and Timon are excluded from the genus Lacerta, and Teira is excluded from the genus Podarcis. On the basis of their morphological and karyological pecularities, they are defined as full genera.

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Measuring the diffusion of genes between diverging taxa through zones of secondary contact is an essential step to understand the extent and nature of the reproductive isolation that has been achieved. Previous studies have shown that the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida Daudin, 1802) has endured repeated range fragmentation associated with the climatic oscillations of the Plio-Pleistocene that promoted diversification of many different evolutionary units within the species. However, the oldest divergence within the group is estimated to have occurred much earlier, during the Miocene, around 9 Ma and corresponds to the split between the subspecies Lacerta lepida nevadensis Buchholz (1963) and Lacerta lepida lepida Daudin (1802). Although these two evolutionary units have documented genetic and morphological differentiation, most probably accumulated during periods of allopatry, little is known about patterns of gene flow between them. In this study, we performed a population genetic analysis of a putative area of secondary contact between these two taxa, using mtDNA and microsatellite data. We assessed levels of gene flow across the contact zone to clarify to what extent gene flow may be occurring. Hybridization between the subspecies was observed by the presence of genetically introgressed individuals. However, the overall coincidence of mitochondrial and multilocus nuclear clines and generally steep clines support the idea that this contact zone is acting as a barrier to gene flow. Taken together, these results suggest that L. l. lepida and L. l. nevadensis are in independent evolutionary trajectories and should be considered as two different species.

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A comprehensive knowledge on the genetic basis of coloration is crucial to understand how new colour phenotypes arise and how they contribute to the emergence of new species. Variation in melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), a gene that has been reported as a target for repeated evolution in a wide range of vertebrate taxa, was assessed in European ocellated lizards (Lacerta lepida) to search for associations with melanin-based colour phenotypes. Lacerta lepida subspecies’ distribution is associated with the three major bio-climatic regions in the Iberian Peninsula. A nonconserved and derived substitution (T162I) was associated with the L. l. nevadensis phenotype (prevalence of brown scales). Another substitution (S172C) was associated with the presence of black scales in both L. l. lepida and L. l. iberica, but no mutations were found to be associated with the higher proportion of black in L. l. iberica. Extensive genotyping of Mc1r along the contact zone between L. l. nevadensis and L. l. lepida revealed low gene flow (only two hybrids detected). The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of previous knowledge about the evolutionary history of ocellated lizards.

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ventaire exhaustif des espèces indigènes et naturalisées, présentes e n France et au Benelux : 85 taxons, relevant de 72 espèces, sont cités, mais deux autre s taxons, dont le statut reste à définir, sont mentionnés au n os 31 (Rana esculenta) et a u n° 53 (Podarcis muralis) et huit autres au n` 56 (Podarcis muralis tiliguerta) de l`inven- taire. On signale les zones à prospecter par priorité et les problèmes taxonomiques à résoudre d`urgence . Les aires sont définies par rapport aux provinces ou aux départements : des cartes d`aire provisoires, en France, sont données pour 33 taxons. En ce qui concerne la liste des taxons relatifs à la France, les modifications suivante s sont à noter : 1°) taxons admis : Triturus alpestris apuanus, Acanthodactylus erythrurus cf. erythru- rus, Lacerta agilis garzoni, Podarcis hispanica hispanica, Podarcis muralis merremia , Vipera latastei latastei, Vipera seoanei ; 2.) deux intergrades de Salamandra salamandra sont retenus : 30) taxons refusés : Rana iberica, Coronella austriaca fitzingeri, Natrix tessellata tessellata ; 4.) tombent en synonymie les deux taxons suivants : Podarcis muralis occidentalis (= P. m. muralis) et P. m. calbia (= P. m. oyensis). En outre, liste des espèces introduites, liste des espèces citées par erreur et list e des taxons à rechercher . Quelques données inédites concernent le nord de l`Espagne .

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This report describes the discovery and detailed description of a new small sized morph of ocellated lizard from the northern slopes of the Sierra de Gredos (Castilla y Leon, Spain). Morphological and molecular analysis showed that this new morph is different from the common species of ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) on the Iberian peninsula in body size, sexual size dimorphism and cytochrome b haplotype. DNA sequencing revealed a unique and highly divergent cytochrome b haplotype indicating a long-term separation from other species of ocellated lizards. Evolutionary mechanisms that may have contributed to the formation of the small sized morph are discussed. The results presented in this paper suggest that this new morph is likely to be recognized as a full species in the near future.

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Two cases of bifurcated tail are reported in the Ocellated Lizard Timon lepidus lepidus in the Crau plain (Bouches-du-Rhône).

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Andorra was visited two times in August. A survey of landscape, vegetation, and climate of Andorra is given. Six species of lacertid lizards (Lacerta agilis garzoni, Podarcis liolepis, Podarcis muralis brongniardii, Psammodromus algirus, Timon lepidus lepidus, Zootoca vivipata louislantzi) could be found. Mainly information on distribution and habitat observations are reported.

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The Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Peña de Francia and the Cantabrian Mountains were visited during the second half of May, 1994. In northern Spain Podarcis hispanica and P. muralis are living in syntopy. On all sites Lacerta lepida was common. North of Murcia the only typical L. lepida nevadensis have been seen. In the Sierra Nevada this subspecies had a large amount of green colouration. South of Madrid Acanthodactylus erythrurus and Psammodromus algirus were found in nearly every habitat. In the vicinity of Béjar Podarcis bocagei and Lacerta schreiberi were seen. In the Sierra Covadonga a large population of L. schreiberi was found in a very dry mountain slope.

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This paper represents an update of the list of Italian amphibians and reptiles published 15 years ago by Razzetti et al. (2006) and of the checklist published in 1993 by the late Benedetto Lanza. At present, the Italian herpetofauna includes 100 species (41 amphibians and 59 reptiles) and an amphibian taxon of hybrid origin. Seven species and one subspecies are allochthonous and became naturalized within the last century. Since the last published list, a new species has been described (Vipera walser), five taxa have been raised to species rank (Salamandrina perspicillata, Speleomantes sarrabusensis, Zootoca carniolica, Malpolon insignitus and Natrix helvetica) while three taxa have been downgraded to subspecies. All the relevant taxonomic changes based upon new research have been discussed, including tentative revisions and controversial taxa. Nine species reported or listed dubitatively in Lanza’s 1993 list are excluded here.

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Personal experiences concerning the husbandry and breeding of the Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus lepidus). The author keeps and breeds several big green lizard species. But his favourite one is Europe’s biggest, the Ocellated lizard, also called Eyed lizard and in Dutch Pearl lizard (Timon epidus lepidus). He describes the species briefly and explains how he keeps them in captivity, having vetry good results with hygienic artificial grass on the bottom of the terrarium. Feeding, including vitamin UV-B, is explained in detail. Reproduction, including hibernation, mating, laying an incubation of eggs is discussed. Attention is given to the two main health-problems i.e. parasitic blood-mites and injuries. Finally he recommends this beautiful and attractove lizard, for both the room terrarium as well as the garden/outdoor terrarium, to any serious, motivated hobbyist.

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The diet of the Ocellated Lizard was studied by analysis of scats collected during an annual activity cycie in tne population of Oleron island (Charente-Maritime, France). Scats were collected after ten days from April to October 2002. The study was carried out on a sample of 110 scats. We identified 927 prey items which consisted for more than 60 % of insects, 20 % fruit and 11 % molluscs. Temporal variations consisted in 3 main periods : one at the beginning of spring (April) dominated by the consumption of Coleoptera and arachnids, the second in the middle of summer (July and August) characterized by the consumption of Ephedra fruit and Hymenoptera, and a third (May, June, September and October) which is characterized by the consumption of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and molluscs. The alimentary intake diversity was highest in two periods of the year (April and August-September) and low in the beginning (March), the middle (June-July) and end (October) of the activity period. Not very mobile prey such as molluscs, Coleoptera and spiders, were preferred. Diet composition is compared to a series of analyses carried out through the species distribution range. This comparison shows that insular populations have a tendency to develop a vegetarian diet, the same as in other lizard species.

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During two journeys from 27.04. – 07.05.2008 and from 21.04. – 27.04.2012, I visited several parts pf Spain together with some friends of mine. We focused on the lizards of the Iberiasn Peninsula. Specifically, we wanted to make some beautiful pictures of the Ocellated Lizatrds Timon lepidus and Timon nevadensis, which unfortunately did not always succeed on the first trip. In the following article, I briefly present the lizards of the family Lacertidae that were found during the two journeys together with some of their localities.

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Vom 10.05. bis 17.05.2014 sucht ich gemeinsam mit befreundeten Eidechsenhaltern in ausgewählten Landschaften Sdfrankreichs nach dort vorkommenden Lacertiden. Die Biotope wurden anhand ihrer Attraktivität in bezug auf Vegetation, Feuchtigkeit und auch der Farbe des Untergrundes gewählt und hatten nicht zwingend etwas mit bekannten oder beschriebene Eidechsenfundorten zu tun. Timon lepidus lepidus, Lacerta bilineata bilineata und Podarcis muralis brongniardii konntern wir in unterschiedlichen Individuendichten beobachten und fotografieren. Die aufgesuchten Lebensräume in Raphele-les-Arles, der Crau, der Camargue, den Ockerfelsen von Roussillon sowie La Plaine und Massif des Maures inklusive deren herpetologische Begleitfauna wurden bereits von BÖCKL & ZAUNER (2014) vorgestellt.

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Eine Reise nach Portugal führte mich mit befreundeten Eidechsenhaltern in die Serra de Sấo Mamede. Vom 22.04. bis 28.04.2017 bereisten wir den 31.750 Hektar großen Nationalpark, um nach Reptilien, insbesondere nach Eidechsen, zu suchen. In der Literatur werden bei den Schlangen acht Arten und bei den Eidechsen zehn Arten aufgelistet. Davon sind sechs Arten den Halsbandeidechsen zugeordnet. Ein Großteil der in Portugal vorkommenden Reptilien war also in dem kleinen Gebiet zu erwarten.