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Anatomical-morphological features of the postcranial skeleton of nine taxa of the rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 belonging to the Darevskia (caucasica) and Darevskia (saxicola) complexes were studied for the first time on representative samples. Specimens with the rib formula 3+1 were found in both complexes (previously, only two variants were known for the genus Darevskia 3+2 and 3+3). Differences between supraspe- cific groups and their members were described with the use of type specimens or topotypes of each taxon. The studied complexes are differentiated by the range of variability of presacral vertebrae (in the D. (caucasica) their minimum number is 26, in the D. (saxicola) – 27), the number of the posterior presacral vertebrae with ribs (the average value of this trait in the D. (caucasica) is less than 6, in D. (saxicola) – more than 6). B-type of the tail vertebrae in 5 times more common in the D. (saxicola) than in the D. (caucasica). In turn, the latter group is cha- racterized by a larger share of individuals with ossified ribs at the third cervical vertebra and a greater variability of the sternal-xiphisternal costal (rib) formula. Skeletal morphology of D. alpina indicates its greater similarity with representatives of the D. (caucasica) complex. A certain originality of D. c. vedenica was recorded. The study of D. saxicola specimens from the zone of sympatry with D. c. caucasica (Chegem Gorge) did not reveal their simi- larity with the latter, except for the presence of two variants of the sternal-xiphisternal formula. Cryptic forms within D. lindholmi differ at least in two traits: the minimum number of posterior presacral vertebrae with short ribs and the presence of individuals with caudal vertebrae of B-type.

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Sexual dimorphism in digit ration is related to genetic differences between species in response to prenatal exposure to hormones. In this study, the development of tetrapod digits, preliminary the ratio between the length of digit II and IV (2D: 4D) was investigated in 34 samples of Darevskia cholorogaster in the North of Iran. The results showed no significant differences between sexes in any digit length. The digit ratio 2D: 4D was different between males and females in which the females had greater 2D: 4D in forelimb than the males. However, this difference was not significant. Sexual dimorphism in 2D: 4D, 3D: 4D and 2D: 3D ratios for the male and female showed no correlation within sex. Our results supported a genetic pattern seen in humans and most mammals, inconsistent with basic genetic pattern in reptiles. We concluded that the digits ratios observed in D. cholorogaster could be referred to microhabitat use by this species on different surfaces, besides basic genetic pattern and other ecological effects as foraging and mating.

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Since individual metapolic activity depends on body temperature, maintaining this temperature within the optimal range is important for living organisms. Behavioural adaptations allow body temperature to stay within a narrow range. Huddling helps animals conserve energy more efficiently and improves environmental adaptability under cold conditions. Rock lizards of the Darevskia genus also actively engage in huddling on basking sites; thermoregulation, however, has not been previously considered as a possible reason for their grouping. We hypothesise that lizard aggregations might help to maintain body temperature in cold conditions. To test this suggestion, we conducted route surveys in an area with a high population density of two coexisting Darevskia species and determined the influence of external conditions on grouping behaviour. We found that the number of lizard groups and the number of individuals per group are significantly larger in cloudy weather and low irradiance than in sunny weather and high irradiance. Correlation analyses did not show a significant effect of air temperature and wind speed on the formation of groups. We suggest that small lizards huddle during poor irradiance to maintain internal body temperature and prolong their activity.

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We present the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Burgos (Spain), expressed by UTM 10x10Km.The situation of the country lake an area with different herpetofauna populations is a very important success; there are european-atlantic herpetofauna and typical mediterranean also.

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The Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) has the largest range among the genus Podarcis. Although there are a number of studies on its diet, data on regional level remains insufficient, particularly from a purely ecological perspective. We investigated 194 individual faecal samples of P. muralis obtained from two localities in western Bulgaria with the aim of clarifying the composition of the trophic spectrum of the species, as well as the intra-population characteristics in terms of age and sex. In one study site, we compared the realized trophic niche (prey items from the faecal pellets) with the fundamental (invertebrates collected via pit-fall traps exposure). We confirmed that P. muralis is an opportunist in terms of feeding and has a very wide trophic spectrum including several taxa, which have not been reported until now as a part of the species’ diet. We revealed differences in feeding behavior between subadults and adults, as well as between males and females. Adults have higher diversity in the food spectrum compared to subadults. According to sexes, females have more varied diet. We also report for the first time for the species six cases of keratophagy. Also, we identified a relatively frequent occurrence of saurophagy (n = 16), including in females and subadults, for which this phenomenon has not been recorded so far.

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Islands provide a great system to explore the processes that maintain genetic diversity and promote local adaptation. We explored the genomic diversity of the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi, an endemic species characterized by numerous small insular popula- tions with large phenotypic diversity. Using the newly available genome for this species, we characterized more than 300,000 SNPs, merging genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data with previously published restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) data, providing a dataset of 16 island populations (191 individuals) across the range of species distribution (Menorca, Mallorca, and Cabrera). Results indicate that each islet hosts a well-differentiated population (FST = 0.247 ± 0.09), with no recent immigration/ translocation events. Contrary to expectations, most populations harbor a considerable genetic diversity (mean nucleotide diversity, Pi = 0.144 ± 0.021), characterized by overall low inbreeding values (FIS < 0.1). While the genetic diversity significantly decreased with decreasing islet surface, maintenance of substantial genetic diversity even in tiny islets suggests variable selection or other mechanisms that buffer genetic drift. Maximum- likelihood tree based on concatenated SNP data confirmed the existence of the two major independent lineages of Menorca and Mallorca/Cabrera. Multiple lines of evi- dence, including admixture and root testing, robustly placed the origin of the species in the Mallorca Island, rather than in Menorca. Outlier analysis mainly retrieved a strong signature of genome differentiation between the two major archipelagos, especially in the sexual chromosome Z. A set of proteins were target of multiple outliers and primar- ily associated with binding and catalytic activity, providing interesting candidates for future selection studies. This study provides the framework to explore crucial aspects of the genetic basis of phenotypic divergence and insular adaptation.

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Algeria is situated at the crossroads between Europe and Africa. The northern part of the country is listed as an area of high biodiversity. Currently, the ecosystems (rivers, lakes, deserts, forests etc.) and the species are under more pressure than ever. The impact of humans is significant and many factors constitute a strong threat to this fauna, especially reptiles, which are the most vulnerable because of their low mobility. Thus, pollution, the drying up of wetlands and their conversion to agriculture have clearly affected the existence of many species. The herpetofauna of Algeria is one of the most diversified in the Mediterranean Basin, consisting of 104 species of which 16.98% are endemic. We suppose that the present list of reptilian fauna provided in this paper is not exhaustive and it is expected to include more species given the lack of research on reptiles in Algeria and its large area. Our dataset contains information on reptile occurrences in Algeria. The dataset is based on original research by the staff of the Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Agroecology of Chadli Bendjedid University in Algeria. The conservation status of all recorded species is given.

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During two visits to the northeastern part of the Greek island of Lefkada, one in October 2022 and another in June 2023, 14 species of herpetofauna were recorded (two amphibian species, twelve reptile species), including one previously unrecorded species, the European cat snake Telescopus fallax. In addition, live specimens of Marginated tortoise Testudo marginata were found and location data for Dahl’s whip snake Platyceps najadum has been recorded. The observation localities of four species, Testudo hermanni, Testudo marginata, Platyceps najadum and Telescopus fallax are shown in an overview map.

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Während unserer Sammelreise nach Guangxi im Jahr 2016 sammelten wir zehn Exemplare der Gattung Takydromus aus einem Vorort von Guilin im nordöstlichen Guangxi, Südchina, und stellten fest, dass sie zu keiner der derzeit bekannten Arten gehörten. Wir haben diese neue Art, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov., anhand von morphologischen und mitochondrialen DNA-Daten (CO1 und cyt b) beschrieben. Diese neue Art ist ein Schwestertaxon von T. intermedius mit einer p-Distanz von 0,070 in CO1 und 0,080 in cyt b. Diese beiden p-Distanzen übertreffen nicht nur den Mindestwert (0,067) zwischen T. septentrionalis und T. stejnegeri, sondern auch den Mindestwert (0,079) zwischen T. intermedius und T. yunkaiensis. Morphologisch unterscheidet sich diese neue Art von den anderen derzeit anerkannten Takydromus-Arten aus derselben Gruppe vor allem durch die Längsreihen der Rückenschuppen, die Querreihen der Schuppen in der Körpermitte und die Mensuralvariablen. Mit der Beschreibung von Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. erhöht sich die Gesamtzahl der Takydromus-Arten auf 25, von denen 16 in China vorkommen. Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. ist derzeit nur aus Guilin, Guangxi, Südchina, bekannt, wo sie mit den anderen vier Takydromus-Arten (T. septentrionalis, T. kuehnei, T. sexlineatus und T. intermedius) sympatrisch ist.

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Seit über 100 Jahren wurden in verschiedenen Zeiträumen in Sachsen Mauereidechsen angesiedelt. Die Ursachen waren der Zeit geschuldet sehr verschieden. Allerdings wurden erst in neuster Zeit unterstützt durch Verkehr, Handel und illegales Aussetzen der Tiere überdurchschnittlich viele neue Fundpunkte bekannt. Seit dem Jahr 2008 ist das Entstehen neuer Vorkommen auf das 9fache verglichen mit den Jahrzehnten davor angestiegen. Nicht bewiesen aber wahrscheinliche Ursachen liegen im Klimawandel und der Globalisierung der Wirtschaft, was eine Ausbreitung fördert. Ökologische und biologische Vorteile der Mauereidechsenpopulationen werden diskutiert.

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Identification of loci with adaptive importance is a key step to understand the speciation process in natural populations, because those loci are responsible for phenotypic variation that affects fitness in different environments. We conducted an AFLP genome scan in populations of ocellated lizards (Lacerta lepida) to search for candidate loci influenced by selection along an environmental gradient in the Iberian Peninsula. This gradient is strongly influenced by climatic variables, and two subspecies can be recognized at the opposite extremes: L. lepida iberica in the northwest and L. lepida nevadensis in the southeast. Both subspecies show substantial morphological differences that may be involved in their local adaptation to the climatic extremes. To investigate how the use of a particular outlier detection method can influence the results, a frequentist method, DFDIST, and a Bayesian method, BayeScan, were used to search for outliers influenced by selection. Additionally, the spatial analysis method was used to test for associations of AFLP marker band frequencies with 54 climatic variables by logistic regression. Results obtained with each method highlight differences in their sensitivity. DFDIST and BayeScan detected a similar proportion of outliers (3–4%), but only a few loci were simultaneously detected by both methods. Several loci detected as outliers were also associated with temperature, insolation or precipitation according to spatial analysis method. These results are in accordance with reported data in the literature about morphological and life-history variation of L. lepida subspecies along the environmental gradient.

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Während zweier Aufenthalte von sechseinhalb bzw. acht Monaten im syrisch-libanesisch-islraelischen Grenzgebiet hatte ich Gelegenheit, die dortige Herpetofauna zu studieren. Besonders intensiv untersuchte ich Südwest-Syrien, nämlich die östlichen Golanhöhen und den Hermon. 6 Amphibien-und 33 Reptilienarten konnten nachgewiesen werden, die mit Angaben ihrer Fundorte, Nahrungsgewohnheiten, Habitate und hinweisungswürdigen Anmerkungen aufgelistet werden.

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The background species of the saurofauna of the southeastern periphery of the Tersk Sands in the early 1980s were Phrynocephalus guttatus (Gmelin, 1789), Eremias velox (Pallas, 1771) and Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773). Research conducted in 1983–1984 showed that each of them had different preferred biotopes: Phr. guttatus – blown sands, E. arguta – fixed sands, E. velox – scattered shrubbery. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, Phr. guttatus completely disappeared in the study area on the southeastern periphery of the Tersk Sands, and after 2008 - E. velox. Currently, the territory is inhabited by E. arguta and the widespread Lacerta strigata Eichwald, 1831. The rapid changes in the composition of the saurofauna can be explained primarily by the strict biotopic confinement of lizards in conditions of total steppification of the Terek sands. The transformation of landscapes brought stenobiont species, in the conditions of the Eastern Pre-Caucasus psammophile species of Turanian genesis, to the brink of extinction and created favorable conditions for eurybiont and/ or steppe forms. If existing trends continue, we can expect the complete disappearance of such obligate psammophiles as Phr. mystaceus (Pallas, 1776) and Phr. guttatus in the Terek Sands. They may be followed by Trapelus sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814) and E. velox. In this case, biotopic preferences of a species determine their current and prospective sociological status.

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The mite Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais, 1844) (Macronyssidae) is a widespread ectopara- site of reptiles and a vector of some important veterinary diseases. This paper reviews the geographic distribution and host range of O. natricis and the available information about its clinical significance. Some incorrect identifications and host records are also identified. The snake mite has been collected from 144 species of reptiles, mostly snakes, as well as one amphibian and three species of mammals. It has been recorded in 36 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. Its geographic range has undoubtedly been extended by human activities. Our records of O. natricis on the lizards Darevskia brauneri (Méhely, 1909) and Ophisops elegans Ménétries 1832, and on the snake Telescopus fallax Fleischmann, 1831, are new host records.

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The present study was based on the observations and captures of reptiles in the Northern Algerian Sahara (2011-2013). The studied habitats were the erg (sand dunes), palm grove, reg, Sebkha, and urban sites. We have identified 30 species (20 Saurians, 9 Ophidians and one Testudines) these species are classified into two orders (Anura and Squamata), 12 families and 22 different genera. Among the identified species, 7 protected species in Algeria and 5 species endemic to the Mediterranean. A total of 93.3% (28 species) are assessed as Least Concern and one species was considered to be Data Deficient (Scincopus fasciatus). One species is listed as near threatened (Uromastix acanthinurus). The highest species richness was noticed in the palm groves with 19 species as well as the Shannon diversity index= 3.35. The evenness is at its highest in the sebkha and the urban site with 0.9 and 0.86. The correspondence factorial analysis showed that some species were characteristic of habitats such as Tarentola neglecta and Tarentola deserti which are a specific species of the urban sites and the palm groves, while Scincus scincus was a specific species of the Erg. The generalized linear model showed that the geographic coordinate, spatiotemporal factors and human activity have significant effect on the distribution of reptiles.

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In this paper, we present the recapitulation of the research of amphibian and reptile fauna in the Smederevo municipality. For Serbia, three amphibian species were for the first time detected in Smederevo - (Triturus dobrogicus, Pelobates balcanicus and Pelophylax lessonae). In the literature, occurrence of Vipera berus was also mentioned. Since Smederevo is an important industrial centre, many amphibian and reptile habitats were lost due to urbanization, degradation and pollution, and surface waters were especially affected. Habitat degradation probably led to the local extinction of population of the Adder. Still, increased field effort and inclusion of citizen science led to the first discoveries of Pelobates fuscus and Coronella austriaca in Smederevo, and re-confirmation of the historical entries of Salamandra salamandra and Triturus dobrogicus. The remaining species were mapped to a greater extent, and some species which were previously known from only a few records (Lissotriton vulgaris, Emys orbicularis and Zamenis longissimus) are now mapped in much wider area. The presence of human introduced reptile species such as Trachemys scripta ssp., Mediodactylus kotschyi and Pogona vitticeps is also recorded, with Kotschy`s gecko probably being naturalized. Future research should focus on re-confirmation of the remaining historical records (Pelobates balcanicus) and identifying more habitats of the rare and vulnerable species and protecting them.

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Background Lizards of the genus Podarcis are widespread in the Mediterranean region, including islands and island archipelagos. These small-bodied lizards have a predominantly protective green-brown colouration. However, some populations display unusual patterns, in which the colouration is predominantly blue or uniformly black. This study explores the factors that influence this chromatic variation, whether environmental (climate and island conditions) or evolutionary (phylogenetic trait conservatism). The colouration of 1400 individuals (27 species) was analysed in the CIELAB colour space. Results Pagel’s λ indicated that colouration is weakly conserved within phylogenetic lineages. Although the island surface plays a key role in the chromatic variability of these lacertids, geographic isolation and climate hold less influence. The colouration of some small island populations tends to be uniform and dark, possibly due to intense intraspecific competition and lower predatory pressure. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of island populations in understanding the processes that favour the emergence of extreme phenotypes in small ectothermic vertebrates.