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We update the knowledge on the 30 terrestrial reptile species of Socotra, an archipelago well known for its highly endemic flora and fauna. We use the records obtained during several surveys throughout all the islands of the archipelago, carried out between 2007 and 2010, as well as the bibliographic records. We recorded all the known species of terrestrial reptiles for the islands (Chamaeleo monachus, Haemodracon riebeckii, Haemodracon trachyrhinus, Hemidactylus dracaenacolus, H. granti, H. homoeolepis, H. flaviviridis, H. forbesi, H. inintellectus, H. oxyrhinus, H. robustus, H. pumilio, Pristurus abdelkuri, P. guichardi, P. obsti, P. insignoides, P. insignis, P. sokotranus, P. samhaensis, Mesalina balfouri, M. kuri, Hakaria simonyi, Trachylepis socotrana, Pachycalamus brevis, Leptotyphlops filiformis, L. macrurus, L. wilsoni, Typhlops socotranus, Ditypophis vivax, Hemerophis socotrae). We report for the first time the occurrence of Hemidactylus robustus in Samha Island. H. homoeolepis is excluded from the fauna of Abd al-Kuri Island.

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The Erhard’s wall lizard Podarcis erhardii (Bedriaga, 1886) was first recorded on the tiny rocky islet of Spanopoula, near Kea (Aegean Archipelago, Greece), in 1980. Since then, there has been no other published reference to confirm the species’ presence or to estimate its population status. Here, we report on a herpetological survey we carried out on Spanopoula 44 years later, which added a third species (Mediodactylus kotschyi) to the islet’s herpetofauna list. During our visit, we collected body-size measurements and tissue samples for the molecular identification of the Podarcis lizards inhabiting the islet. We found a thriving population of medium-sized wall lizards, belonging to the mainland form, P. erhardii livadiacus (Werner, 1902). As this subspecies is not present in adjacent Kea and nearby islands, our finding supports a human-mediated dispersal scenario.

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The Balkan Wall Lizards are divided in two phylogroups, the “Podarcis tauricus” and “P. erhardii” species complexes. Both include cryptic species that were recently discovered in maternal molecular phylogenies and have undergone taxonomical rearrangements. The central Aegean islands host two of these species, one from each phylogroup, that present completely allopatric geographic distributions; the endemic P. milensis is found on the Milos island-group, while almost all other Cycladic islands are home to P. erhardii. Velopoula, a small isolated islet, lies at the westernmost edge of the Milos island-group and for the past many decades has been considered part of the P. milensis distribution. In this study, we collected DNA sequence data from the lizards of Velopoula, to discover that they, in fact, belong to P. erhardii. We built an updated, time-calibrated mitochondrial phylogeny of P. erhardii, including specimens from the islet and unrepresented regions of the neighboring mainland, in order to evaluate the phylogenetic position of the Velopoula population and infer its origin and diversification history. According to our results, this population represents a highly divergent lineage that split at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. This rejects the hypothesis of a recent colonization of Velopoula from another insular or mainland P. erhardii population and provides evidence for a new, relict taxon endemic to this islet. Through a thorough bibliographic search, we retrace the mistaken taxonomic assignment of the Velopoula Wall Lizards and discuss their assignment as a new potential species within the “P. erhardii” species complex.

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The Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus is a species distributed in Italy and the east Adriatic coast. It is also a wellknown invasive species introduced into four continents and many countries outside its native range. In 2014, an established population of this species was recorded in Athens, Greece, which was identified as Podarcis siculus campestris by molecular analysis. Here, we report for the first time the presence of another subspecies, Podarcis siculus siculus, in Greece and specifically on the island of Crete. Tissue samples from six adult and subadult lizards were analysed to reconstruct a mitochondrial phylogeny using a segment of cytochrome b and all published sequences of native and introduced populations of P. siculus. We identified the source-population of the Cretan P. siculus to be located in Sicily, while the Athenian population originated from the Adriatic coast. This indicates two independent introduction events in a period of < 10 years. The Cretan population of P. siculus seems to be well established and may pose a future threat to the endemic Cretan wall lizard Podarcis cretensis.

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The introduction of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has various consequences to the native species of a region and reporting them is of major importance. The Italian Wall Lizard, expands its range. We are here reporting and verifying the presence of the species on the island of Crete for the first time by using a 408 bp fragment of the cytochrome b gene from a single individual and by conducting phylogenetic analyses. Our results indicate Athens as a possible source for the new population. Podarcis siculus might threaten the Cretan endemic P. cretensis, resulting in regional extinctions. We recommend immediate measures be taken to prevent the expansion of this population.

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The Lebanese Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis), primarily native to the Levant region, has recently been discovered in isolated populations well beyond its known distribution. This study presents the first confirmed record of P. laevis along the Black Sea coast of northern Türkiye, specifically in the city of Karadeniz Ereğli, Zonguldak Province. Mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequence analyses revealed a high degree of genetic similarity (>99%) between the Karadeniz Ereğli specimens and those from both Andırın, Kahramanmaraş (within the species` native range in southern Türkiye) and Anaklia on Georgia`s Black Sea coast, suggesting a shared origin. We propose that the presence of P. laevis in Karadeniz Ereğli is likely the result of human-mediated introduction, possibly via maritime trade, as the lizards were found restricted to the walls of a single building near a major port. A comparable introduction scenario has previously been suggested for the Anaklia population. The highly localized occurrence and absence of the species in neighboring areas indicate a recent introduction; however, the factors inhibiting further spread within the urban landscape remain unclear. This finding contributes to the broader understanding of species distribution dynamics and underscores the significant role of anthropogenic activity in facilitating the range expansion of non-native reptiles.

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Despite extensive research, it is still poorly understood how microgeographic phenotypic variation translates to the macroevolutionary level. Here, we use the Ibiza wall lizard, Podarcis pityusensis, an endemic species of the Balearic Islands, to study microgeographic variation across different scales of evolutionary isolation.We quantify biteforce and morphology alongside biotic and abiotic environment in 11 populations ,which have been variably isolated from one another over the Quaternary period. While we generally find increasing divergence in form and function as populations become more isolated from each other, this is not true when isolation is the highest; phenotypic differences between the 2 major clades of P. pityusensis are negligible, despite populations being isolated for over 100,000 years. Our results show that how environmental selective pressures drive form–function evolution differ by sex. Natural selection appears the most important driver of female evolution, while male phenotypes are apparently driven by both natural and sexual selection, but precise drivers of form–function evolution vary according to the scale of isolation investigated. Our study demonstrates incongruence in form–function–environment relationships within a constrained geographical area, highlighting how convergence at greater evolutionary scales can obscure microevolutionary diversity.

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Integumentary development on the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body of 14, 21, 26, 33, and 40-day incubated embryos of the European Wall Lizard (Lacerta muralis) is described. While the earliest stages of epidermal differentiation resemble those reported for other tetrapods, precocious differentiation of dermal collagen more resembles that of anamniotes than that of birds and mammals. Anchoring complexes comprising cellular components, anchor filaments, and collagen are described, and their possible relationship to the formation of scale anlagen is discussed. The first embryonic epidermal generation differentiates beneath the periderm; most features of ist histogenesis resemble those that have been described for the epidermis of adult squamates, but certain previously ignored organelles, including possible earlier@-keratin precursors, are reported. Different strategies regarding in ovo peridermal loss and posthatching shedding behavior are described and discussed in light of presently available data concerning control of cell differentiation in the squamate epidermis.

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This review is devoted to the history and progress in herpetological research in Central Asia and Kazakhstan, a region that is positioned within Central Asia. Studies of the herpetological diversity of Central Asia have a long history and are a special field of research. Research in this area has passed through several developmental stages, the first of which was associated with early expeditions which penetrated into Asia including those of P.S. Pallas and I.I. Lepekhin. The interest of naturalists was focused on this vast unexplored territory. The list of prominent researchers-encyclopedists and great travelers to work in Central Asia included E.I. Eichwald, A.A. Kaiserling, V.A. Perovsky, A.I. Schrenk, G.S. Karelin, G.I. Radde, G.I. Sievers, E. A. Eversmann, O. A. Grim, A.I. Lehman, O. Bettger, V.D. Alenitsyn, N.A. Severtsov, M.N. Bogdanov, A.P. Fedchenko, S.N. Alferaki, P. Y. Schmidt, N.A. Zarudny, L.S. Berg, and many others. At this historical stage, herpetological studies were often not separated into a special scientific branch and were carried out as part of complex zoological works. Later, in the twentieth century, large-scale herpetological studies were launched; a preliminary inventory of the fauna was carried out, many species were described, a synopsis of the species composition was created, and a zoogeographic analysis of the arid territories of Central Asia was performed. For the first time, the outstanding herpetologist A.M. Nikolsky, whose name our Herpetological Society bears, undertook this task. The history of research in the twentieth century and the current trends of the herpetological branch of zoology, which require an analytical understanding of descriptive and comparative data accumulated over previous periods, are considered in detail in this article. The use of an integrative approach in zoological research is becoming increasingly relevant, including the results of studying diversity structures, modes of speciation, and ecogeographic trends in a phylogenetic context. An integrative approach with the use of molecular genetic methods has allowed us to approach the solution of issues that have confounded many generations of herpetologists. The horizons of comparative analyses have also been expanded due to the increased availability of new, previously unexplored territories for researchers. Data obtained are of practical importance in the preparation of proposals for the allocation of protected areas and the assessment of the conservation status of particular species of model groups, including reptiles. Examples of integrative studies in model groups of reptiles (in various groups of turtles and lizards) are therefore also presented in this article.

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Israel is small and shared by contrasting ecological regions. Local amphibian and many reptilian populations are at peril as components of endangered ecosystems, and because they live at the limit of specific ranges and requirements. Some of them are also endangered commercially. Most local herpetological research efforts have been conservation-oriented on three levels: (1) Studies of endangered species: ecology in the field, specific requirements (incubation etc.) and taxonomic definition of taxa for protection. (2) Studies of other species, contributing data to conservation policy. (3) A policy to prefer investigations not requiring the collection of specimens.

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A number of aspects of the hibernation of the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in the Asian part of its range are analyzed. The results of our own field work for the period from 1971 to 2022 in the Altai Republic (Altai Nature Reserve, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions are used). Within 17 localities of the foothill and flat parts of the south of Western Siberia (51°22΄ – 57°04΄ N, 57°33΄ – 88°08΄ E), 54 wintering sites were recorded. 173 li-zards of different sexes and ages were noted in the wintering shelters. The greatest number of hibernations – 75.9% – were found in agrogenic soil (vegetable gardens, arable land, orchards). In the soil at a depth of 15 – 25 cm, the number of hibernation shelters is 2.8 times greater and the number of lizards hibernating in them is 1.5 times greater than at a depth of 0 – 15 cm (p < 0.01). Lizards hibernate alone (44.2%) or in groups (2 individuals – 20.4%, 3 – 19%, 4 and 5 – 5.6% each, 6 – 7.1%, 9, 14 and 40 – 1.85% each). The body of a single wintering individual is curled into a ring or a flattened spiral. In groups, lizards were in balls of different sizes. Z. vivipara has been found to have fluctuations in the timing of wintering and spring emergence, as well as the duration of the active period, which is determined by a set of environmental factors of a particular year. The results of research in the reserve from 1971 to 2017 show that Z. vivipara can be considered a phenological bioindicator, which is manifested in the shift in the emergence of lizards from wintering to earlier dates.

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Since 2020, the Northern Ruin Lizard Podarcis siculus campestris is known from the premises of a local garden association situated in Northwestern Cologne, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany. The location and its lizard population are presented in detail. In spite of purported sightings of animals by neighbours, their presence outside the garden area cannot be confirmed. The surrounding areas of open grassland devoid of hedges, dense bushland, and dense forest are not suitable for the lizards due to a lack of naked areas, water and refuges. The nearest railway tracks are about 1 km away; neither the area of the high voltage transformation station nor its power lines render a suitable habitat. As there is no reptile lover around, it has to be assumed that the lizards came with imported garden plants. They have not (yet) reached a maximum population density giving incentive for a displacement of juveniles and semi-adults into the neighood.

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The ecology and reproductive biology of Acanthodactylus schmidti (lacertidae) in Central Arabia north of Riyadh was studied from 1983 to 1985. The ecology of Acanthodactylus boskianus was also studied as a comparison during the same period. Growth of both species, survival and the morphological adaptations to the desert environment were examined. Home range size of both species was estimated in the study area. Home range size of male A. schmidti was four times that of the female`s home range during spring. The male A. boskianus home range was about two times greater than that of the females. Utilization of home range and the social interactions of invdividuals of both species was investigated. Home range overlap, burrowing behaviour and burrow structure was also examined in the field. Male A. schmidti were observed to defend their home range against other males during spring. Activity and thermal ecology of both species was studied during winter and spring. Emergence behaviour, basking behaviour, daily and seasonal activity was studied and analysed. Both species were active throughout the year. However, it was found that during winter, activity was unimodal, which contrasted with the bimodal pattern during spring. The winter mean eccritic body temperature was 33.0 and 34.1oC for A. schmidti and A. boskianus respectively, and 36oC, 35.3oC during spring. A. schmidti was found to thermoregulate more effectively than A. boskianus during both winter and spring. Selected body temperature and critical minimum of both species were studied and measured in the laboratory. The reproductive biology of A. schmidti was studied in some detail. The reproductive season commenced in November and continued throughout May and was found to coincide with the rainy season of the area. Young lizards were observed between February and mid-June. This suggests the presence of multiple clutches (possibly 2-3) during the reproduction season. It was concluded that multiple clutches were an important adaptation for lizards in such an unpredictable desert environment. Reproductive behaviour, male and female reproductive cycle, and fat body cycle also were studied. Finally, the general ecology and conservation of Arabian desert reptiles is discussed and suggestions for management of desert reptile communities are suggested. (D73648/87)

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The reptile and amphibian fauna of the Yentu mountain area, Bacgiang province is very rich in species composition, with 101 herptile species belonging to 5 orders, 25 families. Among them, 41 amphibian species (about 25.3% of total species of Vietnam) belonging to 8 families, 3 orders and 58 reptilian species (about 20.27% of total species of Vietnam) belonging to 17 families, 2 orders, were recorded in this area. 4 species of them were endemic of Vietnam; 20 species were listed in Red Data Book of Vietnam (2000); 11 species listed in the IUCN Red List (2004) and 11species listed in the Governmental Decree 32/2006 ND-CP.

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Eleven out of 42 (26.2%) lizards Acanthodactylus schmidti were found harboring haemogregarines in their peripheral blood. The erythrocytic stages were differentiated into 2 forms: the young form (trophozoite) measured 12.5 +/- 0.5 x 1.7 +/- 0.3 microm and the large mature form (gametocyte) measured 19.8 +/- 1.7 x 1.7 +/- 0.3 microm. The infected erythrocytes were distorted from 16.0 +/- 1.2 x 9.2 +/- 0.2 microm to 20.2 +/- 1.8 x 6.7 +/- 0.8 microm, hypertrophied and faintly stained. None of the leucocytes seemed to be parasitized by the present parasite. Schizogony took place in the endothelial cells of lung capillaries and parenchyma of liver. Two types of schizonts were recorded; microschizonts of 9.35 x 9.65 +/- 0.38 microm and macroschizonts of 25.36 +/-1.81 x 20.35 +/- 0.82 microm. The microschizonts produced 6-12 merozoites, while the macroschizonts produced 18-36 merozoites, however there were no differences between both merozoites, each measured 11.54 +/- 0.81 x 1.41 +/- 0.71 microm. The infected host cells were markedly hypertrophied with noticeable irregularity and faint stainability as well as some vacuolation, necrosis or shrinkage and necrosis.

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Amphibians and reptiles of the Başkomutan Historical National Park (B.H.N.P), situated within the borders of Afyonkarahisar province, were investigated between 2009 and 2013. Among the total 106 specimens collected from field work, 21 amphibians and reptiles belong to 13 families were identified. Of these, 1 was urodelan, 6 were anuran, 1 was a turtle, 1 was a tortoise, 7 were lizards and 5 were snakes. A zoogeographic analysis showed that the herpetofauna of B.H.N.P could be classified into at least 9 chorotypes in total. The most dominant chorotype being the Eastern-Mediterranean with 5 species, followed by the Turano-Europeo-Mediterranean and Turano-Mediterranean with four and Endemics Anatolia with three species. Detailed distribution data of this study could be basis for future action plans, protection and conservation measures of amphibian and reptiles in B.H.N.P.

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The name Ibiza, Ebusus, Ebesos, means «Island of Bes», god who drives snakes away. With a marked Phoenician cultural influence, snakes have never been observed in the Pitiusas at historical time. This absence and the great density and diversity of lizards (Podarcis pityusensis) is an ecological characteristic, but assumed as a sign of personal and social identity. The arrival of snakes from 2003 alarmed the entire Ibiza society. Aware of the scarcity of governmental human resources available in front of the enormous problem of invasive snakes, the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs in 2020 structured a volunteer group that maintains snake traps scattered throughout the island ofIbiza. Taking advantage of the dispersed distribution of housing throughout the island territory. To activate a trap requires to take care of a live mouse that has to be visited constantly, assumable task for a volunteer who lives in the area. The mapped data obtained with 334 traps during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns are presented. The sense of East-West colonization is appreciated with a strip in the center of the island with increasing catches. To the east, area where traps have been installed during longer time, catches tend to decrease. While to the west of this strip we can see an area, without captures, not yet colonized by invasive snakes.

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Within the families Agamidae, Lacertidae and Scincidae, the carpal and tarsal elements, the sesamoidea and the ossification pattern show considerable variability. Furthermore, carpal and tarsal structure in the lizards studied here is not unique to the genera in question and identical or very similar conditions occur in other lizards. These elements contain sufficient anatomical information to make them taxonomically valuable.

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Urbanization shapes global patterns of biodiversity. While often driving biodiversity loss and biotic homogenization, urban areas could paradoxically act as refugia for species threatened by other global change drivers, such as biological invasions. Despite growing interest in their conservation potential, a lack of robust empirical studies unveiling how urban refugia emerge and contribute to species persistence hinders our ability to leverage urban areas to minimize global biodiversity loss. Here, we examined whether and how urban areas promote the persistence of a keystone, endangered endemic Mediterranean island lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) threatened by a rapidly spreading invasive snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). By integrating field transects, citizen science data, snake trapping, and population dynamics models, we show that invasive snakes drive rapid lizard extirpation in natural areas, but urbanization buffers this effect, enabling local persistence. Intensive snake trapping revealed that urbanization hinders snake spread, acting as an ecological filter. Finally, population dynamics models show that, contrary to a source-sink model, urban lizard populations can persist in the mid-term without immigration, as surrounding peri-urban populations have collapsed under sustained predation pressure by the invasive snake. Our findings provide empirical evidence of how urban areas can effectively act as refugia for threatened species, emphasizing their importance in global biodiversity conservation strategies.

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Weather conditions are important factors determining the activity, and consequently detection probability of animals. Especially in ectotherms from temperate habitats, activity can vary strongly depending on weather. The sand lizard Lacerta agilis is a wide‐ranging lizard that is often subject to environmental impact assessments due to its proximity to humans and prevalence as a candidate for compensatory measures according to the Flora and Fauna Habitat Directive of the European Union. Lacerta agilis has been studied extensively at certain edges of its distribution, but studies focusing on the core range have been rare. We use Bayesian models in order to identify the best explaining weather variables out of a large variety of available variables for a population of Lacerta agilis in western Germany. We furthermore depict their interactions with an easy‐to‐understand regression tree model. Sand lizards have shown to be more active during dry conditions with low windspeeds. They further are best found after sunny weather with temperatures around 20°C. Rainfall in the previous 24 hours also increases the detection probability. An unpruned regression tree reaffirms the results while giving concrete variable values and exploring how the values influence each other. Overall, the method delivers a decision tree based on easy‐to‐obtain weather variables that allows for post‐survey analysis and for determination of the best survey conditions.

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Background The lacertid genus Mesalina has been the subject of several phylogenetic and biogeographic studies as well as taxonomic revisions within the last decade. The genus is partitioned into seven main clades, some of which represent species complexes of morphologically very similar species. The Mesalina guttulata species complex is one such case. This complex currently comprises four described species that occur through Arabia and northern Africa, however, the presence of a cryptic species in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan was pointed out recently. For this study, we collected new material of the various species of the M. guttulata complex, including the undescribed lineage from across Saudi Arabia. We carried out multilocus phylogenetic analyses using three mitochondrial and three nuclear markers and analysis of morphological data to verify whether the undescribed lineage deserves a species rank.
Results The results show that the lineage is clearly genetically separated from the other species of the complex and shows morphological differentiation from the other species. Therefore, we describe it herein as a new species, Mesalina cryptica sp. nov.
Conclusions We contribute to the taxonomy of Arabian lacertid lizards by describing a new species distributed in central Saudi Arabia, with isolated populations occurring in Kuwait and Jordan. Despite its large range, the species is genetically and morphologically homogeneous. The gap in its distribution between the Jordan and Saudi Arabia populations is ascribable to the paucity of sampling along the Saudi/Iraqi border.
Keywords Lizards, Mesopotamia, Middle East, Sauria, Squamates, Reptiles, Taxonomy